You recognize that sensation when you’re 99% sure something’s a fantastic concept, just to realize later … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s precisely what took place when I determined to switch my whole firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It sounded revolutionary. Yet in reality? It developed into among one of the most uncomfortable software application decisions I’ve made in over a years of running my service.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you with specifically what went down– because if you’re anything like me, you’re always looking for smarter, a lot more reliable methods to grow your business. Simply … not like this.
The Sexy All-in-One Pledge
Here’s the thing. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a desire come to life. A solitary system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, visit bookings, automation, payments– you name it.
If you have actually ever managed a Frankenstein pile of devices simply to run your daily, you understand how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been using Keap for years (and loving it, truthfully), however still– I obtained lured in by the guarantee of simplifying every little thing under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a poor case of shiny things disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Actually Worked)
Let me be real with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did every little thing I required. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, appointment scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the user interface felt a little dated in places, and often points took a couple of even more clicks than I liked, yet hey, it functioned.
So why modification?
Honestly, I simply began wondering if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (on the surface), supplied much more features, and all the amazing marketers online seemed to be raving regarding it. FOMO is a heck of a medicine.
That inquisitiveness price me more than simply money– it cost me time, power, and peace of mind.
What It Expense Me to Change
I went all in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours moving information, reconstructing workflows, and basically trying to reproduce my whole Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I had to relocate:
- 20,000+ email customers
- Loads of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Whole funnel infrastructure
- Custom-made kinds, landing pages, activates … everything
Allow’s not also speak about the shed efficiency during those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and attempting to find out where the hell basic settings were.
And simply when I thought things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Creeping In
At first, everything looked fine. Yet after that, out of nowhere, people on my list began obtaining e-mails they weren’t intended to get. I’m chatting totally pointless messages– sent in sets of 171 customers at once. Three days in a row.
Overall disorder.
I restore the automations from scratch. Still occurred. I called assistance. They condemned “web server issues.” However nothing made sense, and the trouble really did not disappear. Envision waking up every morning questioning who your system may’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just bothersome– it threatens. When your entire brand name is improved trust fund, you can not pay for to appear like an unaware amateur blasting the incorrect emails to the wrong people.
Support? Yeah, All The Best
Currently, I don’t expect excellence from any platform. Pests happen. But when they do? I anticipate the assistance team to step up quickly.
That didn’t happen below.
Reactions were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was yelling into the void while my company melted. Meanwhile, every min I spent repairing was a min I wasn’t offering customers or growing my agency.
For a tool that markets itself to major business owners, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever utilize a tool and simply feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Vs Clixlo.
The UX was cumbersome. Things were hidden in strange locations. Also straightforward tasks like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an email flow became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t even get me began. Want to alter product setups, page designs, and overall circulation? Great– you’ll need to quest via 3 various areas that make no sensible sense. Half the moment, I could not even bear in mind where I would certainly clicked something ten secs earlier.
It felt like using software program built by engineers, for designers– not everyday entrepreneur.
The “Inexpensive” Plan That Obtained Actual Costly, Real Rapid
Let’s speak cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s big marketing points is the cost. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Appears impressive, best?
Yet right here’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay additional per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You have to attach services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their payment individually.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t clarified clearly.
Want far better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I included every little thing up, I was paying greater than I had actually been with Keap. And getting worse results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just poor mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Vs Clixlo
The last straw? Watching my e-mail open rates go down 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 missing. Something was clearly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability concern. Maybe the system was simply sending out at hard times or otherwise personalizing messages correctly. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t sticking around to play detective while my list rotted.
Lessons I Discovered by hand
If you’re considering switching to GoHighLevel– or any new system– below’s what I wish someone had actually informed me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s simple to obtain hyped regarding the current “revolutionary” device. But just because everyone’s discussing something doesn’t suggest it’s right for you. If your existing system is functioning, think twice before blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
More isn’t always better. A platform with a clean, intuitive interface will conserve you time and migraines in the long run– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Transparency
Concealed prices are the most awful. Choose devices that are ahead of time about pricing, integrations, and limitations. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a thesaurus to understand your monthly costs.
4. Listen to Genuine Customers (Not Simply Online Marketers)
Check unbiased testimonials, user forums, and Reddit threads. Take notice of actual customer experience– not simply slick sales web pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trusted, user-friendly system to run your business, I’ve evaluated a lot. Here are a couple of I ‘d really advise:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Powerful automations, solid assistance, and it just functions. Well worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one solution for tiny to mid-sized services with solid reporting devices.
Monday.com— Great for task monitoring, team partnership, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Especially fantastic for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel might benefit some. But also for me? It was an irritating, costly experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, questioning whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask yourself what’s really not working in your present configuration. Do not burn your systems down just because something more recent and shinier showed up.
Stick with what works. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will thank you.