You know that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a terrific idea, only to realize later … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s specifically what happened when I determined to switch my entire firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It appeared revolutionary. But actually? It became one of the most unpleasant software program decisions I’ve made in over a years of running my service.
So before you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you via exactly what dropped– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly looking for smarter, a lot more efficient means to expand your business. Simply … not such as this.
The Sexy All-in-One Pledge
Here’s things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a dream happened. A single system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, appointment bookings, automation, settlements– you name it.
If you have actually ever managed a Monster stack of devices simply to run your everyday, you know exactly how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been utilizing Keap for years (and loving it, truthfully), however still– I obtained drawn in by the guarantee of simplifying everything under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a bad case of glossy item disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Really Worked)
Let me be actual with you: Keap had not been broken. It did every little thing I required. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, appointment scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the user interface really felt a little dated in places, and occasionally things took a couple of even more clicks than I liked, yet hey, it worked.
So why change?
Truthfully, I just started asking yourself if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (externally), used a lot more features, and all the great online marketers on-line appeared to be going crazy concerning it. FOMO is a heck of a medication.
That curiosity cost me more than simply money– it cost me time, power, and comfort.
What It Cost Me to Switch
I went all in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a strong 30 to 40 hours moving data, restoring workflows, and generally trying to duplicate my whole Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ email subscribers
- Loads of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Whole funnel framework
- Customized kinds, landing pages, triggers … whatever
Let’s not even talk about the shed productivity during those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and attempting to identify where the hell basic settings were.
And simply when I assumed points were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Creeping In
In the beginning, everything looked alright. But after that, out of no place, individuals on my listing began obtaining emails they weren’t expected to receive. I’m speaking completely unimportant messages– sent in sets of 171 individuals at once. Three days straight.
Complete disorder.
I restore the automations from the ground up. Still taken place. I got in touch with support. They criticized “web server problems.” Yet nothing made sense, and the issue didn’t vanish. Think of getting up every morning questioning who your system could’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply aggravating– it’s dangerous. When your entire brand name is improved count on, you can not pay for to appear like a clueless amateur blowing up the incorrect e-mails to the wrong people.
Assistance? Yeah, All The Best
Now, I don’t expect excellence from any platform. Pests take place. Yet when they do? I expect the support group to step up quick.
That really did not happen below.
Feedbacks were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was shouting right into deep space while my organization shed. Meanwhile, every min I invested troubleshooting was a min I had not been serving customers or growing my company.
For a device that markets itself to severe business owners, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before use a tool and simply really feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Competitors.
The UX was clunky. Things were buried in weird locations. Also simple tasks like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also get me started. Want to transform item settings, page formats, and general flow? Cool– you’ll need to search with three different locations that make zero logical feeling. Fifty percent the time, I couldn’t even bear in mind where I ‘d clicked something ten secs earlier.
It felt like utilizing software program constructed by engineers, for engineers– not everyday entrepreneur.
The “Inexpensive” Plan That Got Real Costly, Real Quick
Let’s speak money.
Among GoHighLevel’s huge selling points is the price. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Appears remarkable, appropriate?
Yet below’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay extra per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to link solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their invoicing independently.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t described plainly.
Desire better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I included every little thing up, I was paying more than I had actually been with Keap. And worsening outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just poor mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Competitors
The last straw? Watching my email open prices go down like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a strong 35% open price with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were called in, and things simply worked.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were practically missing. Something was plainly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability problem. Possibly the system was simply sending out at hard times or otherwise individualizing messages correctly. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t remaining to play detective while my list decayed.
Lessons I Learned by hand
If you’re considering switching over to GoHighLevel– or any brand-new system– here’s what I desire somebody had actually told me before I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s very easy to obtain hyped concerning the most up to date “advanced” tool. However just because everyone’s talking about something does not indicate it’s right for you. If your current system is functioning, think twice before blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
Much more isn’t constantly far better. A platform with a tidy, user-friendly user interface will certainly save you time and migraines in the future– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Openness
Surprise expenses are the most awful. Choose devices that are upfront concerning pricing, integrations, and limitations. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a thesaurus to comprehend your month-to-month costs.
4. Listen to Actual Customers (Not Just Online Marketers)
Examine objective evaluations, individual discussion forums, and Reddit strings. Take note of real individual experience– not just slick sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trusted, easy to use system to run your business, I’ve examined a number. Right here are a couple of I ‘d actually recommend:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Effective automations, strong support, and it just works. Worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for companies that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one solution for little to mid-sized services with strong reporting devices.
Monday.com— Fantastic for job monitoring, group partnership, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Particularly wonderful for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel may benefit some. However, for me? It was a frustrating, costly experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, asking yourself whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask yourself what’s actually not working in your current setup. Don’t melt your systems down even if something newer and shinier turned up.
Stick with what jobs. Your sanity (and your clients) will thank you.