You recognize that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a wonderful idea, just to recognize later … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s exactly what occurred when I chose to change my entire firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It seemed revolutionary. But in truth? It developed into one of one of the most agonizing software application choices I have actually made in over a years of running my business.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you through exactly what dropped– since if you’re anything like me, you’re always looking for smarter, more efficient ways to expand your company. Just … not such as this.
The Sexy All-in-One Pledge
Here’s the important things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it seemed like a dream happened. A single platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, consultation reservations, automation, payments– you name it.
If you have actually ever before managed a Frankenstein pile of tools just to run your daily, you know just how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been using Keap for many years (and loving it, truthfully), yet still– I obtained enticed in by the pledge of simplifying everything under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a negative case of glossy item syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That In Fact Worked)
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 organizing, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the interface felt a little dated in places, and occasionally things took a few more clicks than I liked, however hey, it worked.
So why modification?
Truthfully, I simply started asking yourself if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (on the surface), provided more features, and all the trendy online marketers on the internet seemed to be raving regarding it. FOMO is a heck of a medicine.
That interest price me more than simply cash– it cost me time, power, and peace of mind.
What It Cost Me to Switch over
I went all in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours moving data, restoring workflows, and primarily trying to reproduce my whole Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ email customers
- Lots of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Entire funnel framework
- Personalized kinds, landing pages, triggers … whatever
Allow’s not also talk about the shed performance throughout those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and attempting to find out where the heck basic settings were.
And simply when I thought things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Creeping In
Initially, everything looked all right. However then, out of nowhere, people on my list began getting e-mails they weren’t expected to obtain. I’m talking totally irrelevant messages– sent in batches of 171 customers at once. 3 days straight.
Total mayhem.
I rebuilt the automations from square one. Still taken place. I spoke to assistance. They condemned “server concerns.” Yet absolutely nothing made good sense, and the problem really did not disappear. Picture waking up every early morning questioning who your system could’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply annoying– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand is built on trust, you can not pay for to resemble an unaware amateur blasting the incorrect emails to the wrong individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Currently, I don’t expect perfection from any system. Pests happen. Yet when they do? I anticipate the assistance group to step up quick.
That really did not happen here.
Feedbacks were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was shouting into deep space while my business shed. On the other hand, every minute I spent troubleshooting was a minute I had not been serving customers or growing my firm.
For a tool that markets itself to serious business owners, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever utilize a device and simply feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Vs Constant Contact.
The UX was clunky. Things were buried in odd areas. Also simple tasks like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me started. Intend to change item setups, page designs, and general flow? Great– you’ll need to search via 3 different locations that make no rational feeling. Half the moment, I couldn’t even keep in mind where I ‘d clicked something 10 secs earlier.
It felt like making use of software application constructed by engineers, for designers– not day-to-day business owners.
The “Budget friendly” Plan That Obtained Genuine Pricey, Genuine Fast
Let’s talk cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s big marketing factors is the rate. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Appears incredible, right?
But right here’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay added per email if you use their SMTP.
You need to link services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their billing separately.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t discussed clearly.
Desire much better email 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 worsening outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply poor math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Vs Constant Contact
The final straw? Viewing my email open prices drop like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were dialed in, and things simply worked.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were practically missing. Something was plainly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability problem. Possibly the system was just sending at hard times or not customizing messages properly. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t remaining to play investigator while my checklist decomposed.
Lessons I Learned by hand
If you’re considering switching over to GoHighLevel– or any brand-new platform– below’s what I desire someone had informed me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s simple to get hyped about the most recent “advanced” device. Yet just because everyone’s talking about something doesn’t indicate it’s right for you. If your present system is functioning, think twice before blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
A lot more isn’t constantly much better. A platform with a clean, user-friendly interface will certainly save you time and frustrations in the future– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Openness
Hidden prices are the most awful. Select devices that are in advance about pricing, integrations, and limits. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a thesaurus to recognize your regular monthly expense.
4. Listen to Real Customers (Not Just Marketers)
Inspect honest reviews, user online forums, and Reddit threads. Pay attention to real customer experience– not simply glossy sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trusted, straightforward platform to run your service, I’ve tested a number. Below are a few I ‘d in fact suggest:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Effective automations, solid support, and it simply functions. Well worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one remedy for little to mid-sized organizations with solid coverage devices.
Monday.com— Wonderful for project administration, team cooperation, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Especially great for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel may work for some. However, for me? It was an aggravating, expensive experiment that I could not wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the edge, wondering whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s actually not working in your existing setup. Don’t melt your systems down just because something newer and shinier appeared.
Stick to what works. Your sanity (and your clients) will certainly thank you.