You know that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a fantastic idea, only to realize later on … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s specifically what occurred when I chose to switch my entire agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It sounded revolutionary. Yet in reality? It became among one of the most agonizing software decisions I have actually made in over a years of running my business.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you with precisely what went down– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re always searching for smarter, more reliable means to grow your organization. Just … not such as this.
The Seductive All-in-One Assurance
Right here’s things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it seemed like a dream come to life. A single system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, appointment bookings, automation, repayments– you name it.
If you have actually ever handled a Frankenstein pile of tools just to run your daily, you recognize just how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been utilizing Keap for years (and enjoying it, honestly), but still– I obtained tempted in by the guarantee of simplifying everything under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a poor case of shiny item disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That In Fact Functioned)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did every little thing I required. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, consultation scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the user interface really felt a little outdated in position, and occasionally things took a couple of more clicks than I suched as, yet hey, it functioned.
So why change?
Honestly, I simply began questioning if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (externally), supplied more features, and all the trendy marketers on-line seemed to be going crazy concerning it. FOMO is a heck of a drug.
That curiosity expense me greater than simply cash– it cost me time, energy, and peace of mind.
What It Cost Me to Switch over
I went done in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating information, rebuilding workflows, and basically trying to reproduce my whole Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ email customers
- Lots of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Entire funnel infrastructure
- Customized kinds, landing pages, activates … every little thing
Allow’s not even talk about the lost productivity during those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and trying to identify where the hell fundamental setups were.
And just when I thought points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Sneaking In
At first, everything looked okay. However then, out of nowhere, people on my list started obtaining e-mails they weren’t expected to receive. I’m speaking totally unnecessary messages– sent out in batches of 171 individuals at a time. 3 days in a row.
Total chaos.
I reconstruct the automations from the ground up. Still happened. I called support. They blamed “server concerns.” However absolutely nothing made good sense, and the trouble really did not disappear. Think of waking up every morning wondering who your system could’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just frustrating– it threatens. When your entire brand name is built on count on, you can not afford to resemble a clueless amateur blasting the wrong emails to the incorrect individuals.
Support? Yeah, Good Luck
Now, I do not anticipate excellence from any type of system. Insects happen. Yet when they do? I expect the support team to step up quick.
That really did not happen here.
Reactions were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was screaming into deep space while my company shed. At the same time, every minute I invested repairing was a minute I wasn’t offering customers or expanding my agency.
For a tool that markets itself to serious business owners, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever make use of a tool and just really feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Vs ClickFunnels 2.0.
The UX was cumbersome. Points were hidden in strange places. Also simple jobs like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even get me began. Wish to alter product settings, web page formats, and general circulation? Cool– you’ll require to quest with three various locations that make absolutely no rational feeling. Half the moment, I couldn’t also keep in mind where I would certainly clicked something 10 seconds earlier.
It seemed like using software program developed by engineers, for engineers– not daily company owner.
The “Budget friendly” Plan That Obtained Genuine Expensive, Actual Quick
Let’s talk money.
One of GoHighLevel’s large marketing points is the price. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Sounds impressive, ideal?
Yet below’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay extra per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You need to attach services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their invoicing separately.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t clarified clearly.
Desire much better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I added everything up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And getting worse results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply bad math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Vs ClickFunnels 2.0
The last straw? Viewing my email open prices go down like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a strong 35% open price with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were called in, and points simply functioned.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were nearly nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability concern. Perhaps the system was just sending at bad times or otherwise customizing messages appropriately. Whatever the cause, I had not been lingering to play investigative while my list deteriorated.
Lessons I Found Out the Hard Way
If you’re thinking about switching over to GoHighLevel– or any new platform– below’s what I wish a person had actually informed me before I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s simple to obtain hyped about the most up to date “cutting edge” tool. However just because everybody’s talking about something does not imply it’s right for you. If your present system is working, hesitate prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
Much more isn’t constantly better. A system with a clean, intuitive user interface will certainly conserve you time and migraines in the long run– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Transparency
Concealed costs are the most awful. Pick devices that are upfront concerning pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You should not need a calculator and a thesaurus to understand your monthly costs.
4. Pay Attention to Genuine Individuals (Not Just Marketing Professionals)
Check impartial evaluations, user discussion forums, and Reddit threads. Take notice of real customer experience– not simply glossy sales web pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trusted, easy to use platform to run your company, I’ve evaluated a lot. Right here are a few I ‘d in fact advise:.
Keap— My current go-to. Effective automations, strong assistance, and it just works. Worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for companies that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one option for tiny to mid-sized businesses with solid reporting devices.
Monday.com— Wonderful for task monitoring, group collaboration, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Especially excellent for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel might benefit some. However, for me? It was an irritating, expensive experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, asking yourself whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask on your own what’s actually not working in your present arrangement. Don’t shed your systems down just because something newer and shinier turned up.
Stick to what works. Your sanity (and your customers) will certainly thank you.