You know that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a great idea, only to understand later on … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s precisely what occurred when I chose to switch my whole firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It sounded revolutionary. Yet in truth? It turned into one of the most painful software application choices I have actually made in over a years of running my organization.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you with precisely what went down– because if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly looking for smarter, a lot more efficient methods to expand your service. Just … not such as this.
The Seductive All-in-One Guarantee
Below’s things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a dream happened. A single system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, visit reservations, automation, payments– you name it.
If you’ve ever managed a Frankenstein stack of devices simply to run your everyday, you know exactly how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been making use of Keap for several years (and liking it, truthfully), however still– I obtained tempted in by the guarantee of streamlining everything under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a poor situation of glossy things disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That In Fact Worked)
Let me be actual with you: Keap had not been broken. It did every little thing I needed. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, visit organizing, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the user interface felt a little outdated in places, and occasionally points took a few more clicks than I suched as, but hey, it worked.
So why change?
Truthfully, I simply started questioning if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (on the surface), offered extra features, and all the awesome online marketers online seemed to be going crazy about it. FOMO is a hell of a medicine.
That interest expense me greater than simply money– it cost me time, energy, and comfort.
What It Expense Me to Change
I went done in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Spent a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating information, rebuilding workflows, and basically attempting to duplicate my entire Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail clients
- Lots of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Whole funnel infrastructure
- Custom-made types, landing pages, triggers … everything
Allow’s not also discuss the shed productivity throughout those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and trying to identify where the hell fundamental setups were.
And simply when I thought things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Creeping In
In the beginning, everything looked fine. Yet then, out of nowhere, individuals on my listing began getting e-mails they weren’t intended to get. I’m chatting entirely pointless messages– sent in sets of 171 customers at once. 3 days in a row.
Complete turmoil.
I restore the automations from the ground up. Still taken place. I called support. They condemned “server problems.” However nothing made good sense, and the problem really did not vanish. Picture waking up every early morning questioning who your system could’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just bothersome– it threatens. When your entire brand name is improved depend on, you can not afford to resemble an unaware amateur blasting the incorrect e-mails to the wrong people.
Support? Yeah, All The Best
Currently, I do not anticipate perfection from any type of platform. Pests take place. However when they do? I expect the assistance team to step up fast.
That really did not take place below.
Actions were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was screaming right into the void while my organization melted. On the other hand, every min I spent repairing was a min I wasn’t offering customers or expanding my company.
For a tool that markets itself to severe entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before use a tool and simply really feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Vs Housecall Pro.
The UX was clunky. Points were buried in strange places. Even simple tasks like editing a funnel or tweaking an email flow became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me began. Want to alter product settings, web page layouts, and overall circulation? Great– you’ll need to hunt with 3 various areas that make zero rational sense. Half the moment, I couldn’t even bear in mind where I ‘d clicked something 10 seconds earlier.
It seemed like utilizing software program built by designers, for designers– not everyday entrepreneur.
The “Inexpensive” Plan That Obtained Genuine Costly, Real Fast
Let’s talk money.
One of GoHighLevel’s huge marketing factors is the cost. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Sounds fantastic, ideal?
However here’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay added per email if you use their SMTP.
You need to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their billing individually.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t described clearly.
Want much better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I included whatever up, I was paying greater than I had been with Keap. And becoming worse outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply bad mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Vs Housecall Pro
The last straw? Viewing my e-mail open prices go down like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a solid 35% open price with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were called in, and things just functioned.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were virtually missing. Something was clearly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability issue. Maybe the system was just sending out at hard times or otherwise customizing messages appropriately. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t lingering to play detective while my list decayed.
Lessons I Learned by hand
If you’re thinking about switching to GoHighLevel– or any new platform– right here’s what I want a person had actually informed me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s easy to obtain hyped concerning the current “revolutionary” device. However just because everyone’s discussing something doesn’t suggest it’s right for you. If your existing system is functioning, reconsider before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
A lot more isn’t always better. A platform with a clean, intuitive interface will certainly save you time and headaches in the future– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Openness
Surprise prices are the worst. Choose tools that are in advance regarding pricing, integrations, and limitations. You should not require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to recognize your month-to-month costs.
4. Pay Attention to Genuine Users (Not Just Marketing Experts)
Inspect objective reviews, individual discussion forums, and Reddit strings. Take notice of actual individual experience– not just glossy sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trustworthy, easy to use platform to run your company, I’ve examined a lot. Right here are a couple of I ‘d in fact suggest:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Effective automations, solid support, and it simply works. Worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for companies that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one solution for small to mid-sized businesses with strong reporting tools.
Monday.com— Wonderful for task management, group collaboration, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Particularly terrific for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel may help some. However, for me? It was an irritating, expensive experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, asking yourself whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s really not operating in your current arrangement. Don’t burn your systems down even if something newer and shinier showed up.
Stick to what jobs. Your sanity (and your clients) will thank you.