You understand that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a fantastic idea, just to realize later … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s exactly what took place when I chose to change my whole company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It seemed revolutionary. Yet actually? It became one of the most painful software application choices I’ve made in over a decade of running my company.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you via specifically what went down– because if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly trying to find smarter, extra efficient methods to expand your organization. Just … not such as this.
The Sexy All-in-One Promise
Below’s things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a dream come to life. A single system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, visit reservations, automation, repayments– you name it.
If you have actually ever before juggled a Monster stack of devices simply to run your daily, you know how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been utilizing Keap for years (and enjoying it, truthfully), yet still– I got enticed in by the promise of simplifying every little thing under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a poor instance of shiny things syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That In Fact Worked)
Let me be real with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did every little thing I required. It handled my e-mail automations, sales funnels, appointment organizing, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the user interface felt a little outdated in places, and in some cases things took a few even more clicks than I liked, yet hey, it functioned.
So why modification?
Honestly, I simply began questioning if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (externally), offered more features, and all the amazing marketers online appeared to be raving about it. FOMO is a heck of a drug.
That inquisitiveness cost me more than just cash– it cost me time, power, and assurance.
What It Price Me to Switch over
I went all in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating data, rebuilding workflows, and generally trying to duplicate my entire Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I had to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail customers
- Lots of automations
- All client accounts and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Entire funnel infrastructure
- Personalized forms, landing pages, activates … whatever
Let’s not even talk about the shed efficiency during those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and trying to find out where the heck basic settings were.
And simply when I assumed things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Sneaking In
At first, every little thing looked okay. However after that, out of nowhere, individuals on my checklist started getting e-mails they weren’t supposed to get. I’m speaking totally unnecessary messages– sent in batches of 171 individuals at a time. Three days in a row.
Complete mayhem.
I restore the automations from the ground up. Still happened. I spoke to assistance. They condemned “server issues.” But nothing made good sense, and the issue didn’t go away. Visualize getting up every early morning questioning who your system could’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just frustrating– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand name is built on count on, you can not manage to appear like an unaware amateur blasting the wrong e-mails to the wrong individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Now, I do not anticipate excellence from any system. Insects take place. However when they do? I anticipate the support group to step up fast.
That really did not occur here.
Responses were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was yelling into the void while my service melted. At the same time, every minute I invested repairing was a min I wasn’t offering clients or growing my firm.
For a device that markets itself to significant entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever make use of a device and simply feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Vs Zoho.
The UX was confusing. Points were buried in weird areas. Also simple tasks like editing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also get me began. Intend to transform product settings, web page layouts, and overall circulation? Cool– you’ll need to hunt via three different locations that make no sensible sense. Half the moment, I could not also keep in mind where I would certainly clicked something ten secs previously.
It felt like utilizing software application built by engineers, for engineers– not everyday entrepreneur.
The “Inexpensive” Plan That Obtained Genuine Expensive, Actual Quick
Let’s talk money.
Among GoHighLevel’s big selling factors is the cost. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Seems remarkable, best?
Yet below’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay additional per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to attach services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their invoicing separately.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t clarified plainly.
Want far better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I included everything up, I was paying greater than I had been with Keap. And becoming worse outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply negative math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Vs Zoho
The last straw? Viewing my e-mail open rates go down like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were called in, and points simply functioned.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were almost missing. Something was clearly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability problem. Perhaps the system was simply sending at hard times or not individualizing messages correctly. Whatever the cause, I had not been lingering to play detective while my listing decomposed.
Lessons I Discovered by hand
If you’re thinking about changing to GoHighLevel– or any kind of brand-new system– here’s what I wish somebody had informed me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s very easy to get hyped regarding the latest “advanced” tool. Yet even if everyone’s talking about something does not imply it’s right for you. If your existing system is functioning, hesitate before blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
More isn’t always far better. A system with a tidy, instinctive user interface will save you time and migraines over time– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Transparency
Surprise costs are the most awful. Select devices that are upfront regarding pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a thesaurus to understand your regular monthly expense.
4. Pay Attention to Real Customers (Not Simply Marketing Professionals)
Inspect honest evaluations, user forums, and Reddit strings. Take note of real user experience– not simply glossy sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reliable, user-friendly platform to run your company, I have actually checked a number. Right here are a couple of I ‘d actually suggest:.
Keap— My present go-to. Effective automations, solid assistance, and it simply functions. Well worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for companies that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one solution for tiny to mid-sized companies with solid coverage devices.
Monday.com— Amazing for task administration, team collaboration, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Specifically excellent for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel may benefit some. But for me? It was an aggravating, costly experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, asking yourself whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s really not operating in your current arrangement. Do not burn your systems down even if something more recent and shinier showed up.
Stick with what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will certainly thank you.