You recognize that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a terrific concept, only to recognize later on … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s specifically what happened when I decided to change my whole company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It seemed revolutionary. However actually? It became one of one of the most uncomfortable software decisions I have actually made in over a decade of running my service.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you through precisely what dropped– since if you’re anything like me, you’re always searching for smarter, much more efficient ways to expand your organization. Just … not like this.
The Sexy All-in-One Pledge
Below’s the important things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a desire come true. A solitary platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, appointment bookings, automation, settlements– you call it.
If you have actually ever juggled a Monster pile of devices simply to run your everyday, you know just how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been using Keap for many years (and enjoying it, honestly), but still– I obtained tempted in by the assurance of simplifying every little thing under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a bad case of glossy item syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Actually Worked)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did everything I needed. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, consultation scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the user interface felt a little dated in places, and occasionally points took a few even more clicks than I suched as, but hey, it functioned.
So why change?
Truthfully, I simply started asking yourself if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (on the surface), provided a lot more features, and all the amazing marketing experts online appeared to be going crazy concerning it. FOMO is a heck of a medicine.
That curiosity cost me more than just money– it cost me time, power, and peace of mind.
What It Cost Me to Switch
I went all in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating data, reconstructing workflows, and basically attempting to duplicate my entire Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail clients
- Lots of automations
- All client accounts and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Entire funnel infrastructure
- Custom forms, landing pages, activates … everything
Allow’s not also talk about the shed efficiency during those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, seeing tutorials, and attempting to find out where the heck standard settings were.
And just when I believed things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Sneaking In
At first, everything looked alright. However then, out of nowhere, individuals on my list started getting e-mails they weren’t supposed to receive. I’m talking completely pointless messages– sent out in batches of 171 users each time. Three days straight.
Total disorder.
I reconstruct the automations from scratch. Still happened. I called support. They condemned “web server concerns.” Yet absolutely nothing made sense, and the trouble really did not vanish. Visualize getting up every morning wondering who your system may’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just aggravating– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand is built on depend on, you can not pay for to look like a clueless amateur blasting the incorrect e-mails to the wrong people.
Support? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Now, I do not anticipate excellence from any kind of system. Pests take place. Yet when they do? I expect the support team to step up quick.
That really did not take place right here.
Reactions were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was shouting right into deep space while my business shed. Meanwhile, every minute I spent fixing was a minute I had not been serving clients or growing my firm.
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 ManyChat.
The UX was confusing. Things were hidden in weird areas. Even simple tasks like editing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me began. Wish to alter item setups, web page formats, and overall flow? Cool– you’ll need to search through three different areas that make no logical feeling. Half the moment, I could not also bear in mind where I would certainly clicked something ten secs earlier.
It seemed like utilizing software program developed by designers, for engineers– not day-to-day local business owner.
The “Economical” Plan That Got Genuine Expensive, Actual Rapid
Let’s speak money.
Among GoHighLevel’s big marketing points is the price. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Seems fantastic, ideal?
But here’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay extra per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their invoicing independently.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t described clearly.
Want better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I included whatever up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And getting worse results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply negative mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Vs ManyChat
The final straw? Enjoying my email 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 dialed in, and things simply functioned.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were almost missing. Something was clearly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability problem. Possibly the system was just sending at bad times or not individualizing messages properly. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t sticking around to play detective while my listing deteriorated.
Lessons I Discovered by hand
If you’re thinking about switching to GoHighLevel– or any new system– below’s what I want a person had informed me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s easy to obtain hyped concerning the latest “advanced” tool. However just because everybody’s talking about something does not suggest it’s right for you. If your existing system is functioning, think twice prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
Extra isn’t constantly much better. A system with a clean, user-friendly user interface will conserve you time and frustrations in the future– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Openness
Covert costs are the most awful. Select devices that are upfront concerning pricing, integrations, and limits. You should not need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to understand your regular monthly costs.
4. Listen to Real Individuals (Not Simply Marketing Professionals)
Check honest reviews, user online forums, and Reddit threads. Focus on actual user experience– not simply glossy sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a dependable, straightforward system to run your organization, I’ve tested a number. Here are a few I ‘d in fact advise:.
Keap— My current go-to. Powerful automations, solid assistance, and it just functions. Worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for services that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one remedy for tiny to mid-sized companies with solid coverage tools.
Monday.com— Superb for project monitoring, team partnership, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Particularly fantastic for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel may help some. However, for me? It was an aggravating, pricey experiment that I could not wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, questioning whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask on your own what’s really not working in your current setup. Do not shed your systems down even if something more recent and shinier showed up.
Stick with what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will thank you.