You understand that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a wonderful concept, just to realize later … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s precisely what occurred when I made a decision to change my whole agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It appeared revolutionary. However actually? It turned into among one of the most painful software application decisions I have actually made in over a decade of running my organization.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you through exactly what dropped– because if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly trying to find smarter, a lot more effective ways to grow your organization. Just … not like this.
The Seductive All-in-One Promise
Here’s things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it seemed like a desire happened. A solitary system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, appointment bookings, automation, repayments– you call it.
If you have actually ever juggled a Monster pile of tools just to run your everyday, you know exactly how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been utilizing Keap for years (and liking it, truthfully), but still– I obtained tempted in by the promise of simplifying every little thing under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a negative case of shiny item syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Really Functioned)
Let me be actual with you: Keap had not been broken. It did every little thing I needed. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, appointment organizing, invoicing– you name it. Sure, the user interface really felt a little outdated in position, and sometimes things took a couple of even more clicks than I liked, but hey, it worked.
So why change?
Honestly, I just began wondering if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was more affordable (on the surface), supplied more features, and all the great marketers online seemed to be raving concerning it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That curiosity price me more than just cash– it cost me time, power, and comfort.
What It Price Me to Switch over
I went all in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours moving information, rebuilding workflows, and primarily trying to replicate my entire Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail customers
- Loads of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Entire funnel framework
- Custom forms, landing pages, triggers … every little thing
Allow’s not also talk about the shed efficiency during those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and trying to determine where the hell fundamental setups were.
And just when I assumed things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Sneaking In
At first, whatever looked fine. Yet after that, out of no place, individuals on my listing began getting emails they weren’t intended to get. I’m chatting totally unnecessary messages– sent in sets of 171 customers each time. 3 days straight.
Total mayhem.
I rebuilt the automations from the ground up. Still taken place. I contacted support. They blamed “server concerns.” But absolutely nothing made sense, and the problem really did not disappear. Imagine waking up every early morning questioning who your system might’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just frustrating– it’s dangerous. When your entire brand is built on depend on, you can not pay for to resemble an unaware amateur blasting the incorrect e-mails to the incorrect individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Now, I don’t expect perfection from any type of platform. Bugs take place. Yet when they do? I expect the support team to step up quick.
That really did not occur right here.
Reactions were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was yelling into the void while my service shed. At the same time, every min I invested repairing was a minute I wasn’t offering customers or expanding my agency.
For a tool that markets itself to major entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever before utilize a device and simply really feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Vs Groove.
The UX was cumbersome. Points were hidden in weird places. Also simple jobs like modifying a funnel or tweaking an email circulation developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even get me started. Intend to alter product setups, web page layouts, and overall flow? Awesome– you’ll require to search with three different areas that make zero rational feeling. Half the time, I couldn’t even bear in mind where I ‘d clicked something 10 secs previously.
It felt like utilizing software program constructed by engineers, for engineers– not day-to-day business owners.
The “Affordable” Plan That Got Real Expensive, Actual Quick
Let’s speak cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s big selling points is the rate. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Appears incredible, appropriate?
Yet below’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay extra per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to link services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their invoicing separately.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t clarified clearly.
Want better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I included whatever up, I was paying greater than I had been with Keap. And becoming worse results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just bad math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Vs Groove
The final straw? Watching my email open prices drop like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were dialed in, and points just worked.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were practically missing. Something was clearly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability concern. Perhaps the system was just sending at bad times or not personalizing messages properly. Whatever the cause, I had not been remaining to play detective while my checklist decomposed.
Lessons I Discovered by hand
If you’re considering changing to GoHighLevel– or any brand-new platform– right here’s what I desire somebody had informed me before I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s very easy to obtain hyped regarding the current “advanced” tool. However even if every person’s talking about something does not suggest it’s right for you. If your present system is functioning, hesitate before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
Extra isn’t constantly much better. A platform with a clean, intuitive interface will certainly save you time and migraines in the long run– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Openness
Surprise expenses are the worst. Select devices that are in advance regarding pricing, integrations, and limitations. You should not require a calculator and a thesaurus to understand your monthly expense.
4. Pay Attention to Genuine Customers (Not Simply Marketers)
Check impartial reviews, user discussion forums, and Reddit threads. Pay attention to actual individual experience– not simply glossy sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reputable, straightforward system to run your company, I’ve tested a lot. Below are a couple of I ‘d really suggest:.
Keap— My present go-to. Effective automations, strong assistance, and it just works. Worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one option for small to mid-sized businesses with strong coverage devices.
Monday.com— Great for job management, group cooperation, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Especially great for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel may benefit some. However, for me? It was a frustrating, expensive experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, asking yourself whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s really not operating in your present arrangement. Don’t melt your systems down even if something newer and shinier turned up.
Stick to what jobs. Your sanity (and your clients) will thanks.