You recognize that sensation when you’re 99% sure something’s a terrific idea, just to understand later … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s exactly what occurred when I made a decision to change my entire company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It sounded revolutionary. However actually? It became one of one of the most painful software choices I’ve made in over a decade of running my service.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you through exactly what went down– since if you’re anything like me, you’re always trying to find smarter, extra effective ways to expand your company. Simply … not such as this.
The Seductive All-in-One Assurance
Here’s things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a desire come true. A single system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, appointment reservations, automation, repayments– you call it.
If you’ve ever handled a Monster pile of tools just to run your day-to-day, you know how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been using Keap for several years (and loving it, truthfully), however still– I obtained tempted in by the guarantee of simplifying whatever under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a negative case of shiny 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 everything I needed. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, appointment scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the user interface felt a little outdated in position, and often things took a couple of more clicks than I suched as, but hey, it functioned.
So why change?
Truthfully, I just began wondering if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (externally), used extra features, and all the great online marketers on-line appeared to be going crazy regarding it. FOMO is a hell of a medicine.
That inquisitiveness cost me greater than just money– it cost me time, power, and comfort.
What It Cost Me to Change
I went done in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Spent a strong 30 to 40 hours moving data, rebuilding workflows, and primarily trying to duplicate my entire Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail clients
- Dozens of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Whole funnel facilities
- Customized forms, landing pages, sets off … every little thing
Allow’s not even discuss the shed productivity throughout those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and trying to determine where the hell standard setups were.
And simply when I assumed things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Creeping In
At first, everything looked fine. However after that, out of no place, individuals on my checklist began obtaining e-mails they weren’t expected to receive. I’m chatting completely irrelevant messages– sent out in batches of 171 users at a time. Three days in a row.
Overall mayhem.
I reconstruct the automations from square one. Still occurred. I got in touch with assistance. They blamed “web server problems.” Yet nothing made good sense, and the issue didn’t disappear. Think of awakening every morning wondering who your system could’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just bothersome– it threatens. When your whole brand is improved trust fund, you can not afford to appear like a clueless amateur blowing up the incorrect emails to the wrong people.
Assistance? Yeah, All The Best
Now, I don’t anticipate perfection from any kind of system. Pests happen. But when they do? I expect the assistance team to step up quickly.
That really did not happen right here.
Feedbacks were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was shouting right into the void while my business shed. At the same time, every minute I invested troubleshooting was a min I wasn’t serving customers or expanding my firm.
For a tool that markets itself to severe entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever utilize a device and simply really feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Vs GrooveFunnels.
The UX was confusing. Things were hidden in strange places. Even easy tasks like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even get me began. Intend to change product settings, page formats, and total flow? Awesome– you’ll need to quest through three different areas that make zero rational feeling. Fifty percent the moment, I couldn’t also remember where I would certainly clicked something 10 secs earlier.
It seemed like making use of software built by designers, for engineers– not everyday business owners.
The “Inexpensive” Plan That Obtained Genuine Costly, Genuine Quick
Let’s speak cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s large marketing points is the price. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Sounds outstanding, ideal?
Yet here’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay extra per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to connect services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their billing individually.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t described clearly.
Desire much better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I added every little thing up, I was paying greater than I had actually been with Keap. And becoming worse results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just negative math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Vs GrooveFunnels
The final straw? Seeing my e-mail open prices go down like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a strong 35% open price with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were called in, and points just functioned.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were practically nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability concern. Perhaps the system was just sending at bad times or otherwise personalizing messages properly. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t remaining to play investigator while my checklist decayed.
Lessons I Found Out by hand
If you’re thinking of switching over to GoHighLevel– or any type of new platform– right here’s what I wish someone had informed me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s simple to get hyped concerning the current “innovative” tool. However even if every person’s talking about something does not mean it’s right for you. If your present system is functioning, think twice before blowing it up.
2. Value Simplicity Over Features
A lot more isn’t always far better. A platform with a tidy, instinctive interface will conserve you time and migraines in the future– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Openness
Surprise expenses are the worst. Choose tools that are ahead of time regarding pricing, integrations, and limits. You should not need a calculator and a thesaurus to recognize your monthly costs.
4. Listen to Genuine Individuals (Not Simply Marketing Professionals)
Check impartial testimonials, customer discussion forums, and Reddit strings. Pay attention to real user experience– not simply slick sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trustworthy, straightforward system to run your business, I have actually tested a bunch. Here are a few I ‘d really suggest:.
Keap— My current go-to. Effective automations, strong support, and it simply functions. Worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one service for little to mid-sized businesses with solid coverage tools.
Monday.com— Great for job management, team cooperation, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Particularly great for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel may help some. However, for me? It was an irritating, costly experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, wondering whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s really not operating in your present configuration. Don’t melt your systems down just because something newer and shinier appeared.
Stick to what works. Your sanity (and your customers) will thanks.