You understand that sensation when you’re 99% sure something’s a wonderful idea, only to recognize later on … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s precisely what happened when I decided to switch my entire agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It seemed revolutionary. However in reality? It developed into among the most painful software application decisions I’ve made in over a decade of running my company.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you via precisely what decreased– since if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly trying to find smarter, extra reliable methods to expand your organization. Simply … not like this.
The Seductive All-in-One Promise
Right here’s the thing. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it seemed like a desire come to life. A single platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, visit bookings, automation, payments– you call it.
If you’ve ever before managed a Frankenstein stack of devices just to run your day-to-day, you know just how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been utilizing Keap for many years (and loving it, truthfully), however still– I got drawn in by the promise of streamlining whatever under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a negative situation of glossy things disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That In Fact Functioned)
Let me be actual with you: Keap had not been broken. It did everything I required. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, visit scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the interface really felt a little dated in places, and sometimes things took a few more clicks than I liked, but hey, it functioned.
So why adjustment?
Truthfully, I simply started questioning if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was more affordable (on the surface), supplied much more features, and all the trendy marketers on the internet seemed to be raving concerning it. FOMO is a heck of a medicine.
That interest expense me greater than simply cash– it cost me time, energy, and comfort.
What It Cost Me to Switch over
I went done in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating information, rebuilding workflows, and basically attempting to duplicate my whole Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail subscribers
- Dozens of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Whole funnel facilities
- Custom-made forms, landing pages, triggers … every little thing
Let’s not even talk about the shed efficiency during those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and trying to determine where the hell standard settings were.
And just when I believed points were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Creeping In
Initially, whatever looked all right. But then, out of no place, people on my list started getting emails they weren’t intended to obtain. I’m chatting totally pointless messages– sent in batches of 171 users at once. Three days in a row.
Overall chaos.
I restore the automations from square one. Still taken place. I got in touch with assistance. They condemned “server concerns.” But nothing made sense, and the problem didn’t vanish. Picture getting up every early morning questioning who your system could’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just annoying– it threatens. When your whole brand name is improved depend on, you can’t manage to resemble a clueless amateur blasting the wrong e-mails to the incorrect people.
Assistance? Yeah, All The Best
Now, I do not anticipate perfection from any kind of system. Insects happen. However when they do? I expect the support group to step up quick.
That really did not take place below.
Responses were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was shouting right into the void while my service burned. Meanwhile, every minute I spent fixing was a min I had not been offering customers or expanding my company.
For a device that markets itself to serious business owners, GoHighLevel certain really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever make use of a tool and just really feel … lost? That was me inside Where To Purchase GoHighLevel.
The UX was confusing. Points were buried in weird places. Even simple jobs like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an email flow became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also get me began. Want to transform product settings, web page designs, and general circulation? Trendy– you’ll require to search with 3 different areas that make zero logical sense. Fifty percent the time, I couldn’t also bear in mind where I ‘d clicked something 10 secs previously.
It seemed like using software program developed by designers, for engineers– not daily business owners.
The “Budget-friendly” Plan That Got Real Expensive, Real Quick
Let’s chat money.
Among GoHighLevel’s huge selling points is the rate. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Appears impressive, right?
Yet below’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay extra per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to connect services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their invoicing separately.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t described clearly.
Want better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I added everything up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And getting worse results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply negative mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked Where To Purchase GoHighLevel
The last straw? Viewing my email open prices go down like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a solid 35% open price with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were dialed in, and points simply functioned.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were practically missing. Something was clearly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability concern. Maybe the system was just sending at hard times or otherwise individualizing messages properly. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t remaining to play investigative while my checklist decomposed.
Lessons I Found Out the Hard Way
If you’re thinking about switching to GoHighLevel– or any type of brand-new platform– below’s what I want a person had actually told me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s simple to get hyped regarding the most recent “cutting edge” device. But even if everyone’s speaking about something doesn’t suggest it’s right for you. If your present system is functioning, hesitate before blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
Extra isn’t constantly better. A platform with a tidy, user-friendly user interface will certainly save you time and migraines in the future– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Openness
Concealed prices are the worst. Pick tools that are upfront about pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to comprehend your monthly costs.
4. Pay Attention to Real Customers (Not Simply Marketing Professionals)
Examine objective evaluations, individual online forums, and Reddit threads. Pay attention to real customer experience– not simply slick sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reputable, user-friendly platform to run your company, I’ve tested a lot. Here are a few I ‘d in fact suggest:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Effective automations, solid assistance, and it simply works. Well worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for companies that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one option for little to mid-sized organizations with strong coverage devices.
Monday.com— Wonderful for task management, group collaboration, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Especially fantastic for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel may help some. But also for me? It was an irritating, expensive experiment that I could not wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the edge, asking yourself whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask on your own what’s truly not working in your existing setup. Do not burn your systems down even if something more recent and shinier appeared.
Stick to what works. Your sanity (and your clients) will thanks.