You understand that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a fantastic concept, only to realize later … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s precisely what happened when I chose to change my entire agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It seemed revolutionary. But actually? It turned into among one of the most painful software decisions I have actually made in over a years of running my business.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you via exactly what decreased– since if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly looking for smarter, a lot more effective methods to expand your service. Just … not like this.
The Seductive All-in-One Promise
Right here’s the important things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it seemed like a dream come to life. A solitary platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, appointment reservations, automation, repayments– you name it.
If you’ve ever before juggled a Frankenstein stack of devices simply to run your everyday, you know exactly how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been utilizing Keap for years (and loving it, honestly), however still– I obtained enticed in by the guarantee of simplifying every little thing under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a negative instance of shiny item syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Actually Worked)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did whatever I required. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, appointment scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the user interface really felt a little outdated in places, and sometimes points took a few more clicks than I suched as, but hey, it functioned.
So why adjustment?
Truthfully, I simply began asking yourself if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was more affordable (on the surface), used a lot more features, and all the cool online marketers online appeared to be raving about it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That inquisitiveness price me more than just money– it cost me time, power, and satisfaction.
What It Expense Me to Switch over
I went done in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours moving information, rebuilding workflows, and basically attempting to reproduce my whole Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ email subscribers
- Loads of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Whole funnel framework
- Personalized forms, landing pages, causes … whatever
Allow’s not also talk about the lost efficiency during those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and attempting to identify where the heck standard settings were.
And just when I believed things were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Slipping In
In the beginning, every little thing looked all right. However after that, out of no place, people on my list started getting emails they weren’t intended to receive. I’m talking totally unnecessary messages– sent out in sets of 171 customers at once. Three days in a row.
Overall chaos.
I reconstruct the automations from square one. Still occurred. I got in touch with assistance. They condemned “web server problems.” But absolutely nothing made sense, and the trouble really did not disappear. Imagine awakening every early morning wondering who your system could’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply frustrating– it threatens. When your entire brand name is improved trust fund, you can not afford to appear like an unaware amateur blowing up the incorrect emails to the incorrect individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, All The Best
Now, I don’t expect perfection from any kind of platform. Insects take place. Yet when they do? I expect the support team to step up quick.
That really did not take place here.
Feedbacks were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was shouting right into the void while my business burned. At the same time, every min I spent troubleshooting was a minute I wasn’t serving clients or expanding my company.
For a device that markets itself to significant business owners, GoHighLevel certain really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever use a device and just feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Vs Leadpages.
The UX was clunky. Points were buried in strange places. Even basic jobs like editing a funnel or tweaking an email flow developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me started. Wish to change product setups, page layouts, and general flow? Amazing– you’ll require to search through three different areas that make absolutely no logical feeling. Fifty percent the moment, I could not also remember where I ‘d clicked something ten secs earlier.
It seemed like utilizing software developed by engineers, for designers– not daily local business owner.
The “Economical” Plan That Obtained Real Expensive, Genuine Fast
Let’s talk cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s big selling points is the price. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Appears amazing, ideal?
But below’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay added per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to link services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their billing separately.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t described clearly.
Desire far better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I included whatever up, I was paying greater than I had actually been with Keap. And worsening results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply bad math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Vs Leadpages
The final straw? Viewing my e-mail open prices go down like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a strong 35% open price with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were called in, and things just functioned.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were almost missing. Something was clearly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability concern. Possibly the system was just sending out at hard times or not customizing messages appropriately. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t staying to play detective while my list deteriorated.
Lessons I Discovered by hand
If you’re thinking about switching over to GoHighLevel– or any type of brand-new platform– here’s what I wish somebody had actually told me before I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s simple to obtain hyped concerning the current “innovative” device. However even if every person’s talking about something does not indicate it’s right for you. If your present system is functioning, think twice prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
A lot more isn’t always much better. A platform with a tidy, user-friendly interface will conserve you time and migraines in the future– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Openness
Concealed prices are the worst. Choose devices that are in advance about pricing, integrations, and limits. You should not need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to understand your monthly bill.
4. Listen to Real Individuals (Not Simply Marketing Professionals)
Check honest reviews, user discussion forums, and Reddit strings. Pay attention to actual customer experience– not just slick sales web pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a dependable, easy to use platform to run your business, I’ve checked a number. Right here are a few I ‘d in fact suggest:.
Keap— My present go-to. Powerful automations, strong assistance, and it simply functions. Worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one service for small to mid-sized organizations with solid coverage devices.
Monday.com— Superb for job monitoring, team collaboration, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Particularly great for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel may work for some. But also for me? It was an aggravating, costly experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, asking yourself whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask yourself what’s really not operating in your current arrangement. Don’t melt your systems down just because something more recent and shinier showed up.
Stick with what works. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will certainly thank you.