You recognize that sensation when you’re 99% sure something’s a wonderful concept, just to understand later on … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s specifically what happened when I decided to change my whole firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It sounded revolutionary. Yet in reality? It turned into among one of the most painful software choices I’ve made in over a years of running my organization.
So before you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you via precisely what dropped– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly trying to find smarter, more effective ways to grow your organization. Just … not similar to this.
The Seductive All-in-One Guarantee
Here’s the thing. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a desire happened. A solitary system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, consultation reservations, automation, repayments– you call it.
If you have actually ever before handled a Monster stack of tools simply to run your daily, you know exactly how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been using Keap for many years (and enjoying it, honestly), however still– I got drawn in by the promise of streamlining whatever under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a bad situation of shiny object syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Actually Functioned)
Let me be actual with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did everything I required. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, visit scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the user interface felt a little outdated in position, and in some cases points took a couple of more clicks than I liked, however hey, it functioned.
So why change?
Honestly, I just began questioning if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (externally), offered extra features, and all the cool marketing professionals online seemed to be raving concerning it. FOMO is a heck of a medicine.
That curiosity expense me more than just money– it cost me time, energy, and satisfaction.
What It Price Me to Change
I went done in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Spent a strong 30 to 40 hours moving data, restoring workflows, and basically attempting to reproduce my whole Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail customers
- Loads of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Entire funnel facilities
- Custom-made types, landing pages, triggers … whatever
Let’s not even discuss the shed productivity throughout those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and trying to figure out where the hell standard settings were.
And simply when I believed things were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Sneaking In
At first, everything looked fine. Yet then, out of no place, individuals on my list began obtaining e-mails they weren’t supposed to get. I’m talking completely unimportant messages– sent in batches of 171 individuals each time. Three days straight.
Complete mayhem.
I rebuilt the automations from scratch. Still happened. I got in touch with support. They condemned “web server concerns.” Yet nothing made sense, and the trouble really did not disappear. Visualize getting up every morning wondering who your system may’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply annoying– it threatens. When your whole brand is improved trust, you can not afford to resemble an unaware amateur blasting the incorrect e-mails to the incorrect people.
Support? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Currently, I do not expect excellence from any type of system. Insects take place. However when they do? I anticipate the assistance group to step up fast.
That really did not occur here.
Responses were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was shouting right into deep space while my business burned. At the same time, every minute I spent troubleshooting was a minute I had not been offering clients or expanding my firm.
For a tool that markets itself to severe business owners, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever use a tool and simply really feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Vs Monday.com.
The UX was clunky. Things were buried in odd locations. Also straightforward jobs like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an email flow became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me began. Wish to transform item settings, web page layouts, and overall circulation? Trendy– you’ll need to hunt via three different areas that make absolutely no rational sense. Fifty percent the moment, I could not also remember where I would certainly clicked something ten secs earlier.
It seemed like utilizing software developed by engineers, for engineers– not day-to-day business owners.
The “Budget friendly” Plan That Obtained Genuine Expensive, Genuine Rapid
Let’s chat money.
One of GoHighLevel’s big marketing factors is the price. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Sounds amazing, best?
However here’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay extra per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to connect services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their invoicing separately.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t described clearly.
Desire far better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I included every little thing up, I was paying greater than I had actually been with Keap. And worsening results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just bad math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Vs Monday.com
The last straw? Watching my email open prices drop like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a solid 35% open rate with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were called in, and things just functioned.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped below 15%. Clicks were almost nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability concern. Maybe the system was simply sending at bad times or not personalizing messages properly. Whatever the reason, I had not been staying to play investigator while my checklist deteriorated.
Lessons I Discovered by hand
If you’re thinking of changing to GoHighLevel– or any type of new system– below’s what I want someone had told me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s simple to obtain hyped about the most up to date “advanced” tool. Yet even if every person’s speaking about something doesn’t indicate it’s right for you. If your existing system is functioning, hesitate before blowing it up.
2. Value Simplicity Over Features
A lot more isn’t always much better. A system with a clean, intuitive user interface will conserve you time and frustrations in the long run– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Openness
Surprise expenses are the worst. Pick tools that are ahead of time concerning pricing, integrations, and limits. You should not require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to comprehend your regular monthly bill.
4. Listen to Genuine Users (Not Simply Marketing Professionals)
Check impartial reviews, individual online forums, and Reddit threads. Take note of real user experience– not simply slick sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trusted, easy to use system to run your service, I have actually tested a number. Here are a few I ‘d really recommend:.
Keap— My current go-to. Powerful automations, solid assistance, and it simply works. Well worth every dime.
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 strong reporting devices.
Monday.com— Great for job administration, group partnership, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Specifically terrific for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel might work for some. But 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 on your own what’s actually not working in your current setup. Do not melt your systems down even if something newer and shinier appeared.
Stick to what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will certainly thank you.