You recognize that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a fantastic idea, just to understand later on … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s exactly what took place when I decided to switch my entire firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It seemed revolutionary. However in reality? It became among the most excruciating software decisions I’ve made in over a decade of running my company.
So before you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you with specifically what decreased– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly trying to find smarter, a lot more effective ways to expand your organization. Just … not like this.
The Sexy All-in-One Pledge
Below’s things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a dream become a reality. A single platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, visit reservations, automation, payments– you call it.
If you have actually ever managed a Monster stack of devices just to run your day-to-day, you know just how tempting 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 enticed in by the promise of streamlining every little thing under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a negative situation of shiny item disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Really Worked)
Let me be real with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did every little thing I needed. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, appointment organizing, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the interface felt a little dated in position, and sometimes points took a couple of even more clicks than I liked, but hey, it worked.
So why adjustment?
Honestly, I just started questioning if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (on the surface), supplied much more features, and all the amazing marketers on-line appeared to be raving about it. FOMO is a heck of a medication.
That interest cost me greater than simply money– it cost me time, power, and comfort.
What It Expense Me to Change
I went all in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a strong 30 to 40 hours moving data, reconstructing workflows, and primarily trying to duplicate my entire Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ email customers
- Dozens of automations
- All client accounts and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Entire funnel framework
- Customized kinds, landing pages, triggers … everything
Let’s not even speak about the lost efficiency throughout those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and trying to determine where the hell fundamental settings were.
And just when I thought points were working … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Slipping In
In the beginning, every little thing looked alright. Yet then, out of nowhere, people on my checklist started getting emails they weren’t expected to get. I’m speaking completely irrelevant messages– sent out in sets of 171 customers each time. Three days straight.
Overall turmoil.
I rebuilt the automations from square one. Still taken place. I contacted support. They criticized “server issues.” Yet absolutely nothing made good sense, and the problem really did not vanish. Think of waking up every early morning wondering who your system could’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just bothersome– it threatens. When your entire brand name is improved trust fund, you can’t pay for to resemble an unaware amateur blasting the incorrect emails to the incorrect individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, Good Luck
Now, I don’t anticipate excellence from any kind of system. Pests occur. But when they do? I expect the support group to step up quickly.
That didn’t occur here.
Actions were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was screaming right into the void while my company melted. At the same time, every min I spent fixing was a min I had not been offering clients or growing my firm.
For a device that markets itself to serious business owners, GoHighLevel certain really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever make use of a device and simply feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Vs Kajabi.
The UX was clunky. Things were buried in weird places. Also simple jobs like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an email flow became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me started. Want to transform product setups, web page designs, and overall flow? Trendy– you’ll require to search via 3 various locations that make absolutely no logical feeling. Half the time, I could not also bear in mind where I ‘d clicked something 10 seconds earlier.
It seemed like making use of software application developed by designers, for engineers– not day-to-day entrepreneur.
The “Cost effective” Plan That Obtained Real Costly, Genuine Fast
Let’s chat money.
One of GoHighLevel’s big selling points is the cost. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Sounds incredible, ideal?
Yet below’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay extra per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to connect solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their billing separately.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t discussed clearly.
Desire much better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I added everything up, I was paying greater than I had actually been with Keap. And worsening results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just bad mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Vs Kajabi
The final straw? Seeing my e-mail open prices go down like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My target market was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and things simply functioned.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were practically nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability issue. Maybe the system was just sending out at bad times or not personalizing messages appropriately. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t sticking around to play investigative while my list decomposed.
Lessons I Discovered by hand
If you’re thinking about switching over to GoHighLevel– or any type of brand-new system– right here’s what I desire a person had told me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s simple to get hyped concerning the current “cutting edge” device. However even if everybody’s talking about something doesn’t indicate it’s right for you. If your current system is functioning, think twice prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
Much more isn’t constantly better. A platform with a tidy, user-friendly user interface will certainly conserve you time and migraines over time– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Transparency
Covert prices are the most awful. Pick tools that are upfront about pricing, integrations, and limitations. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to comprehend your month-to-month expense.
4. Listen to Actual Users (Not Simply Marketing Experts)
Inspect impartial testimonials, individual discussion forums, and Reddit strings. Focus on actual individual experience– not just slick sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a dependable, easy to use platform to run your company, I’ve evaluated a number. Below are a couple of I ‘d in fact recommend:.
Keap— My current go-to. Powerful automations, strong support, and it simply functions. Well worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for services that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one solution for tiny to mid-sized organizations with solid coverage tools.
Monday.com— Amazing for project management, group cooperation, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Specifically wonderful for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel might benefit some. However, for me? It was an aggravating, costly experiment that I could not wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, wondering whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask yourself what’s actually not operating in your current configuration. Do not burn your systems down just because something newer and shinier appeared.
Stick to what works. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will thanks.