You know that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s an excellent concept, just to recognize later on … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s exactly what took place when I chose to change my entire agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It sounded revolutionary. However in truth? It became among one of the most agonizing software application choices I’ve made in over a decade of running my organization.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you with exactly what decreased– since if you’re anything like me, you’re always looking for smarter, extra reliable ways to expand your organization. Simply … not like this.
The Seductive All-in-One Assurance
Here’s the important things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it seemed like a desire happened. A solitary system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, visit reservations, automation, repayments– you name it.
If you’ve ever before handled a Frankenstein stack of devices simply to run your everyday, you understand how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been making use of Keap for years (and enjoying it, truthfully), however still– I got drawn in by the assurance of simplifying every little thing under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a poor situation of shiny things disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Really Worked)
Let me be real with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did whatever I needed. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, appointment scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the interface felt a little dated in places, and often things took a couple of even more clicks than I liked, but hey, it functioned.
So why adjustment?
Truthfully, I simply began questioning if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (externally), offered extra features, and all the amazing marketing professionals on the internet seemed to be going crazy concerning it. FOMO is a heck of a drug.
That curiosity cost me more than just cash– it cost me time, energy, and comfort.
What It Cost Me to Switch over
I went done in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating data, restoring workflows, and generally attempting to replicate my whole Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail clients
- Dozens of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Whole funnel facilities
- Customized forms, landing pages, activates … everything
Let’s not also speak about the shed efficiency throughout those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and trying to find out where the heck standard settings were.
And just when I thought things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Creeping In
At first, everything looked all right. Yet then, out of nowhere, individuals on my listing started getting emails they weren’t meant to obtain. I’m talking entirely pointless messages– sent out in batches of 171 individuals at a time. Three days straight.
Overall mayhem.
I reconstruct the automations from the ground up. Still happened. I called assistance. They criticized “web server issues.” But absolutely nothing made sense, and the problem didn’t disappear. Visualize waking up every early morning wondering who your system may’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just aggravating– it’s dangerous. 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, Best Of Luck
Now, I do not expect excellence from any system. Bugs happen. Yet when they do? I expect the assistance group to step up quick.
That didn’t happen right here.
Actions were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was screaming into the void while my company melted. On the other hand, every minute I spent fixing was a min I wasn’t offering customers or growing my firm.
For a device that markets itself to serious entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever make use of a device and simply feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Vs Pipedrive.
The UX was confusing. Things were buried in unusual locations. Also easy tasks like modifying a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also get me started. Want to change product settings, web page formats, and general flow? Amazing– you’ll need to search with three different locations that make absolutely no logical feeling. Fifty percent the time, I couldn’t also remember where I would certainly clicked something ten seconds earlier.
It felt like using software constructed by engineers, for engineers– not everyday entrepreneur.
The “Budget-friendly” Plan That Obtained Actual Costly, Real Rapid
Let’s talk cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s big selling factors is the rate. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Seems outstanding, right?
Yet right here’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay additional per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to attach services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their billing separately.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t clarified plainly.
Desire much 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 simply poor mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Vs Pipedrive
The final straw? Enjoying my email open rates drop like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were dialed in, and points just worked.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were nearly missing. Something was clearly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability problem. Maybe the system was just sending at hard times or not personalizing messages appropriately. Whatever the cause, I had not been lingering to play investigative while my checklist deteriorated.
Lessons I Found Out by hand
If you’re considering switching to GoHighLevel– or any type of new system– below’s what I wish a person had informed me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s very easy to get hyped about the current “revolutionary” device. But just because everybody’s discussing something does not indicate it’s right for you. If your existing system is functioning, reconsider before blowing it up.
2. Value Simplicity Over Features
Much more isn’t constantly better. A platform with a clean, user-friendly user interface will certainly save you time and headaches over time– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Openness
Surprise expenses are the worst. Select tools that are in advance concerning pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You should not need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to recognize your regular monthly costs.
4. Listen to Genuine Individuals (Not Just Online Marketers)
Examine honest evaluations, customer online forums, and Reddit threads. Take notice of real individual experience– not simply glossy sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trustworthy, straightforward system to run your organization, I have actually checked a bunch. Below are a few I ‘d in fact suggest:.
Keap— My present go-to. Effective automations, strong assistance, and it just functions. Well worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one remedy for small to mid-sized companies with strong reporting tools.
Monday.com— Superb for task monitoring, group cooperation, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Particularly terrific for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel might benefit some. But also for me? It was a frustrating, pricey 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 on your own what’s truly not operating in your existing setup. Don’t burn your systems down even if something more recent and shinier turned up.
Stick with what works. Your sanity (and your clients) will thank you.