You recognize that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s a wonderful idea, just to understand later … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s exactly what happened when I decided to switch my entire firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It appeared revolutionary. Yet actually? It turned into one of the most unpleasant software program choices I’ve made in over a years of running my service.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you with precisely what went down– since if you’re anything like me, you’re always searching for smarter, much more efficient methods to grow your company. Just … not such as this.
The Sexy All-in-One Assurance
Below’s the important things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a desire come to life. A single system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, visit bookings, automation, repayments– you call it.
If you have actually ever juggled a Monster pile of devices just to run your day-to-day, you recognize exactly how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been making use of Keap for several years (and loving it, honestly), however still– I got drawn in by the guarantee of streamlining every little thing under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a bad instance of glossy things disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Really Worked)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did every little thing I required. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, appointment scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the user interface felt a little dated in position, and occasionally things took a few more clicks than I liked, however hey, it worked.
So why adjustment?
Honestly, I simply began wondering if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (on the surface), supplied much more features, and all the trendy marketing professionals on-line seemed to be going crazy about it. FOMO is a heck of a drug.
That curiosity price me more than simply money– it cost me time, energy, and peace of mind.
What It Expense Me to Change
I went done in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating information, reconstructing workflows, and basically trying to reproduce my whole Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ email subscribers
- Lots of automations
- All client accounts and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Entire funnel framework
- Custom-made types, landing pages, triggers … every little thing
Allow’s not also discuss the shed efficiency throughout those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, seeing tutorials, and attempting to find out where the heck standard settings were.
And simply when I believed points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Creeping In
In the beginning, everything looked all right. But then, out of nowhere, people on my list started getting emails they weren’t intended to obtain. I’m chatting totally pointless messages– sent out in batches of 171 individuals each time. 3 days straight.
Total turmoil.
I rebuilt the automations from the ground up. Still occurred. I called assistance. They blamed “server issues.” Yet nothing made good sense, and the issue didn’t disappear. Visualize waking up every morning wondering who your system may’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just irritating– it threatens. When your whole brand is improved trust fund, you can’t afford to look like an unaware amateur blasting the wrong emails to the incorrect individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, Good Luck
Currently, I don’t expect perfection from any type of platform. Pests happen. But when they do? I anticipate the assistance team to step up quick.
That didn’t take place below.
Feedbacks were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was yelling into the void while my service shed. On the other hand, every min I spent repairing was a minute I had not been offering customers or growing my company.
For a device that markets itself to serious entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain really did not treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever before make use of a tool and just feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Vs Notion.
The UX was cumbersome. Points were hidden in odd areas. Also easy tasks like modifying a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me started. Want to change product settings, web page designs, and general circulation? Amazing– you’ll need to search with three various locations that make no rational feeling. Fifty percent the moment, I couldn’t even remember where I would certainly clicked something 10 seconds earlier.
It seemed like making use of software program constructed by designers, for designers– not daily company owner.
The “Affordable” Plan That Got Actual Costly, Genuine Quick
Let’s chat cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s big selling points is the cost. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Seems amazing, appropriate?
But right here’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay added per email if you use their SMTP.
You have to link services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their payment individually.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t discussed plainly.
Want far better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I included every little thing up, I was paying greater than I had been with Keap. And getting worse outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply negative math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Vs Notion
The final straw? Seeing my e-mail open rates go down like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a solid 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and things just functioned.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were almost nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability issue. Maybe the system was simply sending at hard times or otherwise personalizing messages appropriately. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t staying to play detective while my checklist rotted.
Lessons I Discovered by hand
If you’re thinking of switching over to GoHighLevel– or any brand-new system– below’s what I wish somebody had informed me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s very easy to get hyped concerning the current “cutting edge” device. However just because every person’s discussing something does not imply it’s right for you. If your present system is functioning, hesitate prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
Much more isn’t always better. A system with a clean, intuitive user interface will certainly save you time and migraines in the future– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Transparency
Concealed expenses are the most awful. Select devices that are ahead of time concerning pricing, integrations, and limits. You should not require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to understand your month-to-month bill.
4. Listen to Real Users (Not Just Marketing Experts)
Inspect impartial reviews, individual forums, and Reddit strings. Take note of real customer experience– not just glossy sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trusted, easy to use platform to run your organization, I’ve tested a number. Here are a few I ‘d in fact recommend:.
Keap— My present go-to. Effective automations, strong support, and it simply works. Well worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for companies that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one solution for small to mid-sized businesses with solid reporting tools.
Monday.com— Great for project administration, team partnership, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Particularly fantastic for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel may work for some. But for me? It was an aggravating, costly experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, wondering whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s really not operating in your present arrangement. Do not shed your systems down even if something more recent and shinier turned up.
Stick to what works. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will certainly thanks.