You understand that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a fantastic concept, just to realize later on … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s exactly what took place when I determined to change my whole agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It seemed revolutionary. But actually? It turned into among the most painful software choices I’ve made in over a years of running my organization.
So before you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you via specifically what dropped– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly trying to find smarter, extra reliable ways to grow your service. Just … not like this.
The Sexy All-in-One Guarantee
Here’s things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a dream become a reality. A solitary platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, visit reservations, automation, payments– you name it.
If you have actually ever handled a Frankenstein stack of devices just to run your day-to-day, you know just how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been utilizing Keap for years (and enjoying it, honestly), yet still– I got lured in by the assurance of streamlining everything under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a negative situation of glossy object disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That In Fact Worked)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did everything I required. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, appointment scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Sure, the interface really felt a little outdated in position, and occasionally points took a couple of more clicks than I suched as, however hey, it worked.
So why change?
Truthfully, I just began asking yourself if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was more affordable (on the surface), provided much more features, and all the trendy marketing experts on the internet appeared to be going crazy about it. FOMO is a heck of a drug.
That interest price me more than simply cash– it cost me time, power, and peace of mind.
What It Expense Me to Switch over
I went all in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Spent a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating data, rebuilding workflows, and generally attempting to replicate my whole Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I had to relocate:
- 20,000+ email subscribers
- Dozens of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Whole funnel infrastructure
- Custom forms, landing pages, sets off … everything
Let’s not even speak about the shed efficiency throughout those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and attempting to figure out where the heck fundamental setups were.
And just when I assumed things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Sneaking In
Initially, whatever looked all right. Yet then, out of nowhere, individuals on my listing began obtaining emails they weren’t expected to receive. I’m speaking entirely unnecessary messages– sent out in sets of 171 users each time. Three days in a row.
Complete disorder.
I reconstruct the automations from the ground up. Still occurred. I contacted assistance. They blamed “server issues.” However absolutely nothing made good sense, and the problem really did not go away. Picture getting up every morning questioning who your system may’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just bothersome– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand name is improved trust, you can not pay for to look like an unaware amateur blowing up the wrong e-mails to the incorrect individuals.
Support? Yeah, Good Luck
Currently, I do not expect excellence from any kind of system. Insects occur. Yet when they do? I anticipate the support group to step up quick.
That didn’t happen below.
Feedbacks were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was screaming into the void while my company melted. On the other hand, every min I spent troubleshooting was a min I had not been offering customers or expanding my company.
For a device that markets itself to severe business owners, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before utilize a tool and simply really feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Alternatives.
The UX was clunky. Things were hidden in weird locations. Even easy tasks like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an email flow developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me started. Want to change item settings, web page designs, and overall flow? Cool– you’ll require to quest through 3 various locations that make no sensible feeling. Fifty percent the time, I couldn’t even remember where I would certainly clicked something ten secs previously.
It seemed like using software program constructed by designers, for designers– not day-to-day company owner.
The “Cost effective” Plan That Got Real Pricey, Actual Quick
Let’s chat cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s huge selling points is the rate. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Seems amazing, appropriate?
Yet right here’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay extra per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to link solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their payment separately.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t discussed plainly.
Want better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I included everything up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And getting worse outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply bad math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Alternatives
The final straw? Seeing my e-mail open prices drop like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a solid 35% open price with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were dialed in, and points simply worked.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped below 15%. Clicks were almost nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability concern. Possibly the system was just sending out at bad times or otherwise individualizing messages correctly. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t lingering to play detective while my checklist deteriorated.
Lessons I Found Out by hand
If you’re thinking of changing to GoHighLevel– or any new system– here’s what I wish someone had actually informed me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s simple to obtain hyped regarding the most recent “revolutionary” device. But just because everyone’s talking about something does not mean it’s right for you. If your existing system is working, think twice before blowing it up.
2. Value Simplicity Over Features
More isn’t always much better. A platform with a tidy, user-friendly interface will conserve you time and frustrations in the long run– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Transparency
Surprise expenses are the most awful. Pick tools that are in advance about pricing, integrations, and limitations. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to understand your regular monthly costs.
4. Pay Attention to Actual Individuals (Not Just Marketing Experts)
Examine objective evaluations, individual online forums, and Reddit strings. Take notice of real user experience– not simply slick sales web pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a dependable, user-friendly system to run your organization, I’ve checked a number. Right here are a couple of I ‘d actually advise:.
Keap— My current go-to. Effective automations, solid support, and it simply functions. Worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for services that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one service for tiny to mid-sized services with solid reporting tools.
Monday.com— Great for task monitoring, group partnership, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Especially great for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel might benefit some. However, for me? It was an aggravating, costly experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, asking yourself whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s truly not working in your existing setup. Don’t burn your systems down just because something more recent and shinier turned up.
Stick with what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will thank you.