You recognize that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s a fantastic concept, just to recognize later on … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s precisely what happened when I chose to change my whole firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It sounded revolutionary. Yet actually? It turned into one of the most uncomfortable software program choices I have actually made in over a years of running my organization.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you through specifically what dropped– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re always seeking smarter, a lot more effective means to expand your organization. Simply … not like this.
The Sexy All-in-One Guarantee
Right here’s the thing. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it seemed like a desire become a reality. A single system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, appointment reservations, automation, payments– you call it.
If you’ve ever managed a Monster stack of devices simply to run your day-to-day, you understand how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been using Keap for many years (and loving it, honestly), yet still– I obtained enticed in by the guarantee of simplifying everything under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a bad case of shiny item syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Really Functioned)
Let me be actual with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did everything I needed. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, appointment scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the user interface really felt a little dated in places, and occasionally things took a couple of even more clicks than I suched as, yet hey, it worked.
So why change?
Truthfully, I simply started asking yourself if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was more affordable (externally), supplied more features, and all the amazing online marketers online appeared to be raving regarding it. FOMO is a hell of a medicine.
That inquisitiveness expense me greater than just money– it cost me time, energy, and satisfaction.
What It Price Me to Switch
I went all in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating information, reconstructing workflows, and primarily attempting to reproduce my entire Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ email customers
- Dozens of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Entire funnel infrastructure
- Custom-made types, landing pages, triggers … whatever
Allow’s not also talk about the lost productivity during those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and attempting to identify where the hell standard settings were.
And just when I thought things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Creeping In
At first, everything looked fine. But after that, out of nowhere, people on my list began getting e-mails they weren’t intended to receive. I’m chatting totally unimportant messages– sent in sets of 171 customers at once. 3 days straight.
Total mayhem.
I rebuilt the automations from square one. Still happened. I spoke to assistance. They blamed “web server issues.” Yet nothing made good sense, and the problem didn’t vanish. Picture waking up every morning wondering who your system may’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply frustrating– it threatens. When your whole brand name is improved depend on, you can’t pay for to appear like a clueless amateur blowing up the wrong e-mails to the wrong people.
Assistance? Yeah, All The Best
Currently, I do not anticipate perfection from any system. Bugs take place. However when they do? I expect the support team to step up fast.
That didn’t take place here.
Actions were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was shouting right into the void while my service burned. On the other hand, every minute I invested repairing was a minute I had not been serving clients or expanding my company.
For a device that markets itself to serious entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever use a tool and just really feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Vs Wix.
The UX was clunky. Points were buried in strange locations. Also basic jobs like editing a funnel or tweaking an email circulation became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also get me started. Wish to change item settings, page formats, and overall flow? Trendy– you’ll require to hunt via 3 different locations that make no rational feeling. Fifty percent the moment, I couldn’t even keep in mind where I ‘d clicked something 10 secs previously.
It felt like utilizing software application constructed by designers, for engineers– not daily entrepreneur.
The “Budget-friendly” Plan That Obtained Genuine Costly, Genuine Rapid
Let’s speak cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s huge selling points is the rate. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Sounds fantastic, appropriate?
Yet here’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay extra per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to connect services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their payment independently.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t discussed clearly.
Desire much better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I included every little thing up, I was paying greater than I had actually been with Keap. And worsening outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply bad mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Vs Wix
The last straw? Viewing my email open rates go down like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a solid 35% open price with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were called in, and things just functioned.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were practically nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability concern. Perhaps the system was simply sending at hard times or otherwise individualizing messages appropriately. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t remaining to play investigative while my listing rotted.
Lessons I Discovered by hand
If you’re thinking of changing to GoHighLevel– or any kind of brand-new system– below’s what I desire somebody had informed me before I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s very easy to get hyped concerning the latest “advanced” device. Yet just because every person’s discussing something does not indicate it’s right for you. If your present system is working, hesitate before blowing it up.
2. Value Simplicity Over Features
Extra isn’t always better. A platform with a tidy, intuitive interface will conserve you time and headaches over time– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Openness
Hidden expenses are the most awful. Select tools that are upfront regarding pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to understand your month-to-month expense.
4. Listen to Real Customers (Not Just Marketing Experts)
Examine honest evaluations, individual discussion forums, and Reddit strings. Focus on actual customer experience– not simply slick sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reliable, easy to use system to run your service, I have actually tested a bunch. Below are a couple of I ‘d in fact suggest:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Powerful automations, solid assistance, and it just works. Well worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for companies that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one service for little to mid-sized organizations with strong reporting tools.
Monday.com— Great for project monitoring, group cooperation, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Particularly great for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel might work for some. But also for me? It was an aggravating, costly experiment that I could not wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, wondering whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask on your own what’s truly not operating in your current configuration. Do not shed your systems down even if something more recent and shinier appeared.
Stick to what works. Your sanity (and your customers) will certainly thank you.