You understand that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a terrific concept, only to understand later … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s exactly what took place when I determined to switch my whole agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It sounded revolutionary. Yet actually? It became one of the most unpleasant software program decisions I have actually made in over a decade of running my organization.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you with specifically what decreased– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re always trying to find smarter, much more effective means to grow your business. Just … not similar to this.
The Seductive All-in-One Assurance
Below’s things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it seemed like a dream become a reality. A single platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, appointment bookings, automation, repayments– you call it.
If you have actually ever managed a Monster pile of devices just to run your daily, you know how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been making use of Keap for several years (and liking it, truthfully), but still– I got lured in by the promise of simplifying whatever under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a negative instance of shiny object disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Actually Worked)
Let me be real with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did whatever I required. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, appointment scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the interface felt a little dated in places, and in some cases things took a few more clicks than I suched as, however hey, it functioned.
So why change?
Honestly, I just began wondering if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (on the surface), offered a lot more features, and all the awesome marketing experts on the internet appeared to be raving regarding it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That inquisitiveness expense me more than just cash– it cost me time, energy, and comfort.
What It Price Me to Switch
I went done in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating data, rebuilding workflows, and basically attempting to reproduce my entire Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ email subscribers
- Loads of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Whole funnel infrastructure
- Customized forms, landing pages, triggers … every little thing
Allow’s not even speak about the lost productivity during those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, seeing tutorials, and trying to figure out where the heck basic settings were.
And simply when I believed things were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Creeping In
At first, everything looked okay. But then, out of nowhere, people on my listing started getting emails they weren’t meant to receive. I’m talking entirely unnecessary messages– sent in batches of 171 individuals at once. Three days in a row.
Overall turmoil.
I reconstruct the automations from scratch. Still occurred. I got in touch with support. They criticized “web server problems.” But nothing made sense, and the issue didn’t vanish. Envision getting up every morning questioning who your system could’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply frustrating– it threatens. When your entire brand is built on trust fund, you can not afford to resemble an unaware amateur blasting the incorrect e-mails to the wrong individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Now, I do not expect excellence from any type of system. Insects happen. However when they do? I expect the support team to step up quickly.
That really did not take place below.
Actions were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was screaming into the void while my business melted. Meanwhile, every minute I spent troubleshooting was a min I had not been serving customers or growing my agency.
For a device that markets itself to significant entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever utilize a tool and simply really feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Vs Climbo.
The UX was cumbersome. Points were buried in unusual areas. Also easy jobs like modifying a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me began. Want to alter product setups, web page layouts, and overall flow? Trendy– you’ll require to search via three various areas that make zero rational sense. Fifty percent the moment, I could not even remember where I ‘d clicked something ten seconds previously.
It seemed like using software application constructed by engineers, for engineers– not everyday business owners.
The “Affordable” Plan That Got Real Expensive, Genuine Fast
Let’s speak cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s large marketing factors is the cost. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Seems impressive, right?
However below’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay added per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to connect services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their invoicing separately.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t described clearly.
Want far better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I included everything up, I was paying more than I had actually been with Keap. And becoming worse outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply poor math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Vs Climbo
The final straw? Seeing my email open rates drop like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a solid 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were called in, and points simply worked.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped below 15%. Clicks were nearly nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability concern. Maybe the system was simply sending out at hard times or not personalizing messages properly. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t remaining to play investigator while my list deteriorated.
Lessons I Found Out the Hard Way
If you’re thinking about switching to GoHighLevel– or any kind of new platform– right here’s what I desire somebody 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 “revolutionary” tool. However just because everybody’s discussing something doesn’t suggest it’s right for you. If your existing system is functioning, hesitate before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
A lot more isn’t constantly far better. A system with a clean, intuitive user interface will save you time and frustrations over time– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Transparency
Concealed prices are the most awful. Choose devices that are in advance regarding pricing, integrations, and limitations. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a thesaurus to comprehend your month-to-month expense.
4. Pay Attention to Real Customers (Not Just Marketing Experts)
Check honest reviews, user forums, and Reddit strings. Pay attention to actual 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 trustworthy, user-friendly system to run your company, I have actually checked a bunch. Right here are a couple of I ‘d actually advise:.
Keap— My current go-to. Powerful automations, strong support, and it simply functions. Worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one option for little to mid-sized organizations with strong coverage devices.
Monday.com— Great for project monitoring, team collaboration, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Specifically fantastic for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel may benefit some. But also for me? It was a discouraging, expensive experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the edge, questioning whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask on your own what’s really not operating in your present setup. Don’t shed your systems down just because something newer and shinier appeared.
Stick to what works. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will thanks.