You understand that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a wonderful idea, only to realize later … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s exactly what occurred when I made a decision to change my whole company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It appeared revolutionary. Yet actually? It became one of the most unpleasant software choices I have actually made in over a decade of running my service.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you through precisely what dropped– since if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly looking for smarter, more efficient ways to grow your business. Just … not such as this.
The Seductive All-in-One Pledge
Below’s the important things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a desire happened. A single platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, appointment bookings, automation, repayments– you call it.
If you’ve ever before handled a Frankenstein pile of devices just to run your daily, you know exactly how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been making use of Keap for many years (and liking it, honestly), however still– I obtained tempted in by the promise of simplifying everything under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a bad situation of glossy things disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That In Fact Functioned)
Let me be actual with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did whatever I needed. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, visit scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Sure, the user interface really felt a little dated in position, and sometimes points took a few more clicks than I suched as, however hey, it worked.
So why change?
Truthfully, I just began questioning if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (externally), offered more features, and all the trendy online marketers on the internet seemed to be going crazy concerning it. FOMO is a hell of a medication.
That inquisitiveness expense me greater than simply money– it cost me time, energy, and satisfaction.
What It Cost Me to Switch over
I went all in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours moving data, restoring workflows, and generally trying to reproduce my whole Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ email clients
- Loads of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Entire funnel facilities
- Custom kinds, landing pages, causes … everything
Let’s not even talk about the lost efficiency throughout those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, seeing tutorials, and attempting to figure out where the hell basic setups were.
And just when I believed things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Sneaking In
In the beginning, whatever looked fine. Yet after that, out of nowhere, individuals on my checklist began obtaining e-mails they weren’t expected to receive. I’m chatting totally pointless messages– sent out in batches of 171 users at once. 3 days in a row.
Complete disorder.
I rebuilt the automations from the ground up. Still happened. I got in touch with assistance. They blamed “web server concerns.” But nothing made sense, and the problem really did not vanish. Picture waking up every early morning questioning who your system might’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just aggravating– it threatens. When your entire brand is built on trust, you can’t manage to look like an unaware amateur blowing up the incorrect e-mails to the wrong people.
Assistance? Yeah, Good Luck
Now, I don’t anticipate perfection from any platform. Bugs happen. Yet when they do? I anticipate the support team to step up quickly.
That didn’t happen here.
Reactions were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was yelling into the void while my organization shed. Meanwhile, every min I spent fixing was a minute I had not been serving clients or expanding my firm.
For a device that markets itself to major entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before use a device and simply feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Vs DashClicks.
The UX was confusing. Points were hidden in odd areas. Even easy tasks like editing a funnel or tweaking an email circulation became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me started. Wish to alter item settings, page formats, and total circulation? Great– you’ll require to hunt with three different locations that make no logical sense. Fifty percent the moment, I couldn’t even keep in mind where I ‘d clicked something 10 secs earlier.
It felt like utilizing software application constructed by engineers, for engineers– not everyday local business owner.
The “Budget friendly” Plan That Obtained Genuine Pricey, Genuine Fast
Let’s speak cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s large marketing points is the rate. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Seems fantastic, appropriate?
However right here’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 handle their invoicing independently.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t discussed clearly.
Desire better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I added whatever up, I was paying greater than I had actually been with Keap. And getting worse outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply negative mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Vs DashClicks
The final straw? Watching my email open rates go down like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were called in, and things just worked.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped below 15%. Clicks were nearly missing. Something was plainly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability issue. Maybe the system was simply sending at bad times or not individualizing messages correctly. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t lingering to play investigator while my checklist decomposed.
Lessons I Learned the Hard Way
If you’re thinking of changing to GoHighLevel– or any kind of new system– here’s what I wish somebody had actually told me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s easy to obtain hyped about the current “innovative” device. But just because everyone’s speaking about something does not mean it’s right for you. If your present system is working, reconsider prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
More isn’t always much better. A system with a tidy, instinctive interface will certainly save you time and headaches in the future– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Openness
Hidden expenses are the worst. Select tools that are upfront about pricing, integrations, and limitations. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a thesaurus to comprehend your regular monthly expense.
4. Listen to Real Users (Not Simply Marketers)
Check honest evaluations, user forums, and Reddit threads. Take notice of real customer experience– not just glossy sales 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 organization, I have actually checked a bunch. Here are a few I ‘d in fact suggest:.
Keap— My current go-to. Powerful automations, strong assistance, and it simply works. Worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one service for small to mid-sized businesses with strong reporting devices.
Monday.com— Amazing for project management, team partnership, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Specifically great for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel may benefit some. But for me? It was a discouraging, expensive experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, wondering whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s really not operating in your current setup. Don’t melt your systems down just because something newer and shinier appeared.
Stick to what works. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will thanks.