You know that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a terrific concept, just to recognize later on … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s specifically what took place when I chose to switch my entire agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It sounded revolutionary. Yet in truth? It turned into among the most uncomfortable software application decisions I have actually made in over a years of running my company.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you with specifically what went down– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly searching for smarter, a lot more reliable means to expand your organization. Just … not such as this.
The Seductive All-in-One Assurance
Below’s things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a dream happened. A solitary platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, consultation reservations, automation, repayments– you call it.
If you have actually ever juggled a Monster stack of tools simply to run your everyday, you understand just how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been making use of Keap for many years (and loving it, truthfully), yet still– I obtained lured in by the promise of streamlining every little thing under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a poor situation of glossy item disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Really Worked)
Let me be real with you: Keap wasn’t damaged. It did whatever I required. It handled my e-mail automations, sales funnels, visit scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the user interface really felt a little outdated in position, and often points took a few more clicks than I suched as, however hey, it worked.
So why modification?
Truthfully, I just started questioning if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (on the surface), used extra features, and all the trendy online marketers on-line appeared to be raving concerning it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That inquisitiveness price me greater than just cash– it cost me time, power, and comfort.
What It Price Me to Switch over
I went all in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating information, rebuilding workflows, and generally attempting to duplicate my whole Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I had to relocate:
- 20,000+ email clients
- Loads of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Entire funnel facilities
- Custom-made forms, landing pages, sets off … every little thing
Allow’s not also talk about the lost efficiency throughout those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and attempting to determine where the heck standard settings were.
And simply when I believed points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Creeping In
Initially, everything looked alright. However then, out of no place, people on my list started getting e-mails they weren’t expected to obtain. I’m talking entirely irrelevant messages– sent in sets of 171 individuals at a time. Three days straight.
Complete turmoil.
I reconstruct the automations from scratch. Still taken place. I spoke to support. They condemned “web server issues.” However absolutely nothing made good sense, and the issue didn’t disappear. Envision getting up every early morning questioning who your system could’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just aggravating– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand name is built on trust, you can’t afford to resemble a clueless amateur blasting the wrong e-mails to the wrong individuals.
Support? Yeah, All The Best
Currently, I do not anticipate excellence from any type of platform. Insects occur. But when they do? I anticipate the support group to step up quickly.
That didn’t occur here.
Responses were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was shouting right into the void while my business melted. On the other hand, every minute I invested repairing was a minute I wasn’t serving customers or growing my agency.
For a device that markets itself to serious entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before utilize a tool and simply feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Vs Close.
The UX was confusing. Points were hidden in odd locations. Also easy jobs like editing a funnel or tweaking an email circulation turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also get me started. Wish to change product setups, web page designs, and general flow? Amazing– you’ll require to quest via three various areas that make zero sensible sense. Fifty percent the moment, I couldn’t also keep in mind where I would certainly clicked something ten seconds previously.
It seemed like using software developed by engineers, for engineers– not day-to-day company owner.
The “Budget friendly” Plan That Obtained Real Costly, Genuine Fast
Let’s talk money.
One of GoHighLevel’s big marketing factors is the rate. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Appears impressive, appropriate?
But right here’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay additional per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their payment individually.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t discussed plainly.
Want better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I added every little thing up, I was paying greater than I had been with Keap. And worsening outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just bad math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Vs Close
The final straw? Seeing my email open prices drop like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a strong 35% open price with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were called in, and things just functioned.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped below 15%. Clicks were almost missing. Something was clearly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability concern. Maybe the system was just sending at hard times or otherwise personalizing messages correctly. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t remaining to play detective while my listing deteriorated.
Lessons I Learned by hand
If you’re considering changing to GoHighLevel– or any type of brand-new system– right here’s what I wish somebody had told me before I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s easy to obtain hyped regarding the current “advanced” tool. Yet just because every person’s talking about something does not imply it’s right for you. If your present system is functioning, reconsider before blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
Extra 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
Surprise costs are the worst. Select tools that are upfront regarding pricing, integrations, and limits. You should not require a calculator and a thesaurus to recognize your regular monthly expense.
4. Listen to Genuine Users (Not Simply Marketing Professionals)
Inspect unbiased reviews, individual discussion forums, and Reddit threads. Pay attention to real customer experience– not just slick sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trustworthy, user-friendly platform to run your company, I have actually tested a number. Below are a couple of I ‘d in fact suggest:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Powerful automations, strong support, and it simply works. Well worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for companies that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one solution for tiny to mid-sized businesses with solid coverage tools.
Monday.com— Wonderful for project management, group partnership, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Specifically fantastic for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel may benefit some. However, for me? It was a discouraging, pricey experiment that I could not wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the edge, wondering whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask on your own what’s actually not operating in your existing configuration. Don’t melt your systems down just because something more recent and shinier appeared.
Stick with what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will certainly thank you.