You know that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s an excellent idea, just to understand later on … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s exactly what took place when I chose to switch my entire company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It appeared revolutionary. However in truth? It became among the most uncomfortable software choices I have actually made in over a decade of running my business.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you via specifically what dropped– because if you’re anything like me, you’re always seeking smarter, extra efficient methods to expand your organization. Simply … not such as this.
The Seductive All-in-One Assurance
Below’s the important things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a dream become a reality. A single system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, visit reservations, automation, payments– you name it.
If you’ve ever before handled a Monster stack of devices just to run your daily, you understand exactly how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been making use of Keap for many years (and loving it, honestly), but still– I obtained lured in by the promise of simplifying every little thing under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a poor instance of shiny things disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That In Fact Worked)
Let me be actual with you: Keap had not been broken. It did everything I required. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, consultation organizing, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the user interface really felt a little outdated in position, and in some cases things took a couple of more clicks than I suched as, yet hey, it functioned.
So why adjustment?
Truthfully, I just began questioning if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (externally), provided more features, and all the awesome online marketers on-line seemed to be raving regarding it. FOMO is a hell of a medicine.
That inquisitiveness price me greater than just cash– it cost me time, energy, and peace of mind.
What It Price Me to Switch over
I went done in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours moving data, restoring workflows, and primarily trying to duplicate my whole Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I had to relocate:
- 20,000+ email customers
- Dozens of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Entire funnel framework
- Customized forms, landing pages, causes … every little thing
Let’s not also talk about the lost efficiency during those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and attempting to determine where the hell basic settings were.
And just when I thought points were working … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Creeping In
In the beginning, everything looked fine. But after that, out of no place, individuals on my checklist started getting emails they weren’t intended to get. I’m chatting entirely unnecessary messages– sent out in batches of 171 customers at a time. Three days in a row.
Overall mayhem.
I reconstruct the automations from the ground up. Still taken place. I called assistance. They blamed “web server issues.” Yet absolutely nothing made sense, and the problem really did not disappear. Think of awakening every early morning wondering who your system could’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply aggravating– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand name is improved trust fund, you can’t afford to look like a clueless amateur blasting the wrong e-mails to the incorrect individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Currently, I do not anticipate excellence from any type of system. Bugs happen. Yet when they do? I anticipate the assistance group to step up fast.
That really did not take place right here.
Responses were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was shouting into deep space while my organization burned. Meanwhile, every minute I spent troubleshooting was a minute I wasn’t offering clients or expanding my company.
For a tool that markets itself to major business owners, GoHighLevel certain didn’t 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 ActiveCampaign.
The UX was cumbersome. Things were buried in strange places. Also simple jobs like modifying a funnel or tweaking an email flow developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me started. Wish to alter item settings, page designs, and total flow? Cool– you’ll require to quest via 3 various locations that make zero logical feeling. Fifty percent the moment, I couldn’t even remember where I ‘d clicked something 10 seconds earlier.
It felt like utilizing software constructed by designers, for designers– not everyday business owners.
The “Inexpensive” Plan That Obtained Actual Costly, Actual Rapid
Let’s talk money.
One of GoHighLevel’s huge selling factors is the cost. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Appears amazing, appropriate?
However right here’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay additional per email if you use their SMTP.
You have to link services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their payment independently.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t clarified plainly.
Desire much better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I included every little thing up, I was paying more than I had actually been with Keap. And becoming worse outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just negative math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Vs ActiveCampaign
The final straw? Seeing my e-mail open rates go down like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a strong 35% open price with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and things just functioned.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were almost missing. Something was clearly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability issue. Maybe the system was just sending out at bad times or not individualizing messages correctly. Whatever the reason, I had not been lingering to play investigator while my list decomposed.
Lessons I Discovered by hand
If you’re thinking about switching over to GoHighLevel– or any kind of new platform– right here’s what I wish a person had informed me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s simple to obtain hyped regarding the latest “cutting edge” tool. Yet just because everybody’s speaking about something doesn’t imply it’s right for you. If your current system is functioning, reconsider before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
A lot more isn’t constantly better. A system with a tidy, instinctive interface will certainly conserve you time and frustrations in the future– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Transparency
Surprise costs are the most awful. Select devices that are upfront regarding pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You should not require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to recognize your monthly costs.
4. Pay Attention to Actual Users (Not Just Marketers)
Examine honest evaluations, user online forums, and Reddit strings. Pay attention to actual customer 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 reliable, user-friendly platform to run your organization, I’ve evaluated a number. Here are a few I ‘d really suggest:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Powerful automations, strong assistance, and it simply functions. Well worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for companies that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one option for tiny to mid-sized companies with strong coverage tools.
Monday.com— Amazing for task management, team collaboration, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Especially terrific for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel might benefit some. However, for me? It was a frustrating, pricey experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, questioning whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s actually not operating in your present arrangement. Don’t melt your systems down even if something more recent and shinier turned up.
Stick with what works. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will thank you.