You understand that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a great idea, only to recognize later on … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s specifically what occurred when I determined to switch my whole firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It appeared revolutionary. But in truth? It became one of the most agonizing software application choices I’ve made in over a decade of running my organization.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you through precisely what dropped– since if you’re anything like me, you’re always trying to find smarter, extra reliable means to expand your business. Just … not like this.
The Seductive All-in-One Pledge
Here’s things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a desire happened. A solitary platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, appointment bookings, automation, repayments– you call it.
If you have actually ever before juggled a Monster pile of devices just to run your day-to-day, you understand just how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been utilizing Keap for many years (and enjoying it, truthfully), yet still– I got drawn in by the promise of simplifying every little thing under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a bad instance of shiny things syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Actually Worked)
Let me be actual with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did whatever I needed. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, visit organizing, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the interface felt a little outdated in position, and occasionally things took a few even more clicks than I suched as, yet hey, it worked.
So why change?
Honestly, I simply started questioning if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (externally), offered a lot more features, and all the cool marketers on the internet seemed to be going crazy about it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That interest price me more than simply money– it cost me time, energy, and peace of mind.
What It Price Me to Switch
I went done in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours moving information, rebuilding workflows, and essentially trying to duplicate my whole Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail customers
- Dozens of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Entire funnel facilities
- Personalized kinds, landing pages, causes … everything
Allow’s not also talk about the shed performance throughout those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and attempting to identify where the hell standard setups were.
And simply when I believed points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Slipping In
At first, every little thing looked alright. Yet then, out of no place, people on my listing began obtaining e-mails they weren’t meant to get. I’m speaking completely pointless messages– sent in sets of 171 customers each time. Three days straight.
Complete turmoil.
I reconstruct the automations from the ground up. Still taken place. I got in touch with support. They criticized “server problems.” However absolutely nothing made good sense, and the problem really did not vanish. Visualize getting up every early morning questioning who your system could’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply aggravating– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand is built on count on, you can not afford to appear like a clueless amateur blasting the wrong emails to the incorrect people.
Assistance? Yeah, All The Best
Currently, I don’t expect excellence from any platform. Bugs happen. But when they do? I expect the support group to step up quick.
That really did not take place below.
Actions were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was shouting into the void while my business melted. Meanwhile, every min I spent troubleshooting was a minute I wasn’t offering clients or growing my agency.
For a device that markets itself to serious entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever make use of a tool and just feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Vs GreenRope.
The UX was confusing. Points were buried in odd places. Even easy jobs like editing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me started. Want to transform item settings, page designs, and total circulation? Great– you’ll need to quest via three different locations that make zero logical feeling. Fifty percent the time, I couldn’t even keep in mind where I ‘d clicked something 10 seconds earlier.
It seemed like using software application built by designers, for designers– not everyday entrepreneur.
The “Affordable” Plan That Obtained Actual Expensive, Genuine Rapid
Let’s speak money.
One of GoHighLevel’s big marketing factors is the rate. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Sounds fantastic, best?
Yet right here’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay extra per email if you use their SMTP.
You have to connect services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their payment separately.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t explained clearly.
Want better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I included every little thing up, I was paying more than I had actually been with Keap. And worsening outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just negative math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Vs GreenRope
The final straw? Seeing my email open prices drop like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a solid 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were called in, and things simply functioned.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were virtually missing. Something was clearly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability issue. Maybe the system was simply sending at hard times or otherwise customizing messages appropriately. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t staying to play investigator while my checklist decomposed.
Lessons I Found Out by hand
If you’re thinking about switching to GoHighLevel– or any type of new platform– below’s what I wish a person had informed me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s very easy to get hyped about the current “advanced” device. But even if everybody’s speaking about something does not indicate it’s right for you. If your current system is working, hesitate prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
More isn’t constantly far better. A platform with a tidy, intuitive interface will conserve you time and frustrations over time– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Transparency
Covert prices are the worst. Choose tools that are upfront concerning pricing, integrations, and limits. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to understand your monthly bill.
4. Pay Attention to Actual Users (Not Just Online Marketers)
Inspect objective evaluations, customer forums, and Reddit strings. Take notice of real customer experience– not simply glossy sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reputable, straightforward platform to run your organization, I have actually checked a lot. Below are a couple of I ‘d really recommend:.
Keap— My present go-to. Powerful automations, strong support, and it simply functions. Well worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one option for little to mid-sized services with solid coverage tools.
Monday.com— Wonderful for job monitoring, group cooperation, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Specifically excellent for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel may work for some. But for me? It was a discouraging, costly experiment that I could not wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the edge, asking yourself whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s really not operating in your existing configuration. Don’t burn your systems down just because something more recent and shinier appeared.
Stick to what works. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will certainly thank you.