You recognize that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s an excellent concept, only to recognize later … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s specifically what took place when I determined to switch my whole firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It sounded revolutionary. But actually? It turned into one of the most agonizing software application choices I’ve made in over a years of running my service.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you via precisely what dropped– because if you’re anything like me, you’re always searching for smarter, more effective methods to grow your business. Just … not similar to this.
The Sexy All-in-One Guarantee
Right here’s the important things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a desire come to life. A single system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, consultation reservations, automation, settlements– you name it.
If you’ve ever handled a Monster stack of devices simply to run your everyday, you understand exactly how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been utilizing Keap for years (and liking it, honestly), however still– I got drawn in by the pledge of streamlining every little thing under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a bad situation of shiny item syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That In Fact Worked)
Let me be real with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did every little thing I needed. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, consultation organizing, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the interface really felt a little dated in places, and sometimes points took a couple of more clicks than I liked, yet hey, it worked.
So why change?
Honestly, I simply began asking yourself if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (externally), used a lot more features, and all the cool marketing experts on the internet appeared to be raving about it. FOMO is a hell of a medicine.
That interest expense me more than just money– it cost me time, power, and peace of mind.
What It Cost Me to Switch over
I went done in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating information, restoring workflows, and essentially trying to replicate my entire Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail subscribers
- Lots of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Entire funnel facilities
- Custom kinds, landing pages, causes … whatever
Allow’s not even talk about the shed productivity during those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and attempting to identify where the hell standard settings were.
And just when I assumed things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Slipping In
At first, every little thing looked alright. Yet then, out of nowhere, people on my listing started obtaining emails they weren’t supposed to obtain. I’m chatting completely unnecessary messages– sent out in batches of 171 customers at once. 3 days straight.
Overall mayhem.
I reconstruct the automations from the ground up. Still taken place. I called assistance. They criticized “server concerns.” However absolutely nothing made good sense, and the problem didn’t go away. Imagine awakening every morning questioning who your system could’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply aggravating– it threatens. When your whole brand is built on trust fund, you can not pay for to look like a clueless amateur blowing up the incorrect e-mails to the incorrect individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Currently, I don’t expect excellence from any kind of system. Pests occur. But when they do? I expect the support group to step up quickly.
That didn’t take place here.
Feedbacks were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was shouting into the void while my service burned. Meanwhile, every minute I spent troubleshooting was a min I had not been offering customers or expanding my company.
For a device that markets itself to major business owners, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever use a tool and simply really feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Vs UpHex.
The UX was cumbersome. Things were buried in odd locations. Even straightforward jobs like editing a funnel or tweaking an email flow turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me began. Want to change product setups, web page formats, and overall flow? Trendy– you’ll require to hunt via three different areas that make no sensible feeling. Half the moment, I couldn’t even bear in mind where I would certainly clicked something 10 secs earlier.
It felt like using software program built by designers, for designers– not day-to-day entrepreneur.
The “Affordable” Plan That Got Actual Pricey, Actual Quick
Let’s chat cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s big selling points is the price. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Sounds impressive, right?
However below’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay added per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to link services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their payment independently.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t clarified clearly.
Want far better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I included everything up, I was paying more than I had actually been with Keap. And worsening results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply negative mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Vs UpHex
The last straw? Watching my e-mail open prices go down like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a solid 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were dialed in, and points just functioned.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped below 15%. Clicks were almost nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability problem. Perhaps the system was simply sending at bad times or not customizing messages properly. Whatever the reason, I had not been remaining to play detective while my list rotted.
Lessons I Found Out by hand
If you’re thinking of changing to GoHighLevel– or any kind of new system– below’s what I want a person had actually told me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s very easy to get hyped concerning the current “innovative” tool. However even if every person’s discussing something does not imply it’s right for you. If your current system is functioning, hesitate prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
Much more isn’t always far better. A platform with a tidy, user-friendly interface will save you time and migraines over time– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Transparency
Covert expenses are the most awful. Choose tools that are in advance regarding pricing, integrations, and limitations. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to comprehend your month-to-month expense.
4. Pay Attention to Genuine Users (Not Just Marketing Professionals)
Examine impartial testimonials, customer discussion forums, and Reddit threads. Take note of real individual experience– not simply slick sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a dependable, easy to use platform to run your service, I have actually evaluated a bunch. Here are a few I ‘d in fact suggest:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Effective automations, solid support, and it simply works. Well worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for companies that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one solution for little to mid-sized organizations with solid coverage tools.
Monday.com— Fantastic for project monitoring, group cooperation, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Especially excellent for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel may help some. However, for me? It was an irritating, pricey experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, questioning whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask yourself what’s actually not working in your existing configuration. Do not burn your systems down just because something newer and shinier turned up.
Stick to what works. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will thanks.