You recognize that sensation when you’re 99% sure something’s a terrific idea, only to realize later … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s exactly what happened when I chose to change my entire firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It appeared revolutionary. However actually? It developed into one of the most uncomfortable software application decisions I’ve made in over a decade of running my organization.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you via precisely what dropped– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re always trying to find smarter, a lot more reliable ways to grow your service. Simply … not such as this.
The Sexy All-in-One Pledge
Right here’s the important things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a desire come to life. A solitary system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, visit reservations, automation, settlements– you name it.
If you have actually ever before managed a Frankenstein pile of devices simply to run your day-to-day, you understand how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been utilizing Keap for several years (and loving it, truthfully), yet still– I got lured in by the pledge of simplifying everything under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a negative case of glossy object disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That In Fact Worked)
Let me be real with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did everything I required. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, visit organizing, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the interface really felt a little outdated in places, and in some cases points took a couple of even more clicks than I liked, but hey, it worked.
So why modification?
Honestly, I just began wondering if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (on the surface), provided much more features, and all the trendy marketers on-line appeared to be going crazy regarding it. FOMO is a heck of a medication.
That inquisitiveness price me more than simply money– it cost me time, power, and peace of mind.
What It Cost Me to Change
I went done in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours moving data, reconstructing workflows, and essentially attempting to reproduce my entire Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I had to relocate:
- 20,000+ email subscribers
- Lots of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Entire funnel infrastructure
- Custom types, landing pages, activates … everything
Allow’s not even discuss the shed performance throughout those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and trying to determine where the hell fundamental setups were.
And simply when I believed points were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Sneaking In
Initially, every little thing looked alright. Yet after that, out of nowhere, individuals on my list began obtaining emails they weren’t meant to obtain. I’m talking completely pointless messages– sent in batches of 171 users at a time. Three days in a row.
Total mayhem.
I reconstruct the automations from the ground up. Still occurred. I got in touch with assistance. They condemned “web server problems.” Yet absolutely nothing made sense, and the trouble didn’t vanish. Imagine waking up every morning questioning who your system could’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just frustrating– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand name is built on trust fund, you can not afford to appear like a clueless amateur blowing up the wrong emails to the incorrect people.
Support? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Now, I do not anticipate perfection from any kind of platform. Insects happen. But when they do? I expect the assistance group to step up quickly.
That didn’t occur here.
Actions were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was screaming into the void while my business melted. On the other hand, every min I invested repairing was a min I had not been offering clients or growing my company.
For a device that markets itself to serious entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever make use of a device and just feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Vs Instantly.
The UX was confusing. Points were buried in odd locations. Also simple tasks like editing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t even get me started. Want to transform item setups, web page designs, and total flow? Cool– you’ll require to hunt through 3 different areas that make absolutely no sensible feeling. Half the moment, I could not also remember where I would certainly clicked something ten secs previously.
It felt like making use of software application built by designers, for engineers– not day-to-day entrepreneur.
The “Budget friendly” Plan That Got Real Costly, Actual Rapid
Let’s talk cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s huge marketing points is the cost. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Sounds amazing, appropriate?
Yet right here’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay added per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to connect services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their payment individually.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t described clearly.
Want far better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I added everything up, I was paying greater than I had actually been with Keap. And becoming worse results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply negative mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Vs Instantly
The final straw? Enjoying my email open prices drop like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and points just worked.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were nearly nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability issue. Possibly the system was just sending out at bad times or otherwise personalizing messages correctly. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t staying to play investigative while my list deteriorated.
Lessons I Learned the Hard Way
If you’re thinking of switching over to GoHighLevel– or any type of new system– below’s what I desire someone had actually informed me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s very easy to obtain hyped about the most recent “advanced” tool. However just because every person’s talking 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
A lot more isn’t always far better. A system with a tidy, intuitive interface will certainly conserve you time and migraines over time– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Transparency
Concealed expenses are the most awful. Select tools that are upfront about pricing, integrations, and limits. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to understand your regular monthly costs.
4. Listen to Genuine Users (Not Simply Marketing Experts)
Inspect impartial testimonials, customer online forums, and Reddit threads. Take note of actual customer experience– not simply glossy sales web pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a dependable, straightforward platform to run your organization, I have actually examined a number. Below are a couple of I ‘d really suggest:.
Keap— My current go-to. Effective automations, strong assistance, and it simply works. Well worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one solution for small to mid-sized services with solid reporting devices.
Monday.com— Wonderful for task monitoring, team collaboration, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Specifically wonderful for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel may work for some. However, for me? It was an irritating, costly experiment that I could not wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, questioning whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s truly not operating in your present configuration. Do not melt your systems down just because something newer and shinier showed up.
Stick to what works. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will thanks.