You know that sensation when you’re 99% sure something’s a wonderful idea, only to realize later on … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s specifically what took place when I determined to switch my entire company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It seemed revolutionary. But actually? It became among one of the most unpleasant software choices I’ve made in over a decade of running my business.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you through precisely what decreased– since if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly trying to find smarter, more efficient ways to expand your organization. Simply … not such as this.
The Seductive All-in-One Promise
Below’s things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a desire come true. A solitary platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, consultation bookings, automation, payments– you name it.
If you’ve ever handled a Monster stack of devices just to run your everyday, you recognize just how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been making use of Keap for years (and loving it, truthfully), however still– I obtained drawn in by the guarantee of streamlining everything under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a negative case of shiny object syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Really Worked)
Let me be actual with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did whatever I needed. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, consultation organizing, invoicing– you name it. Sure, the user interface really felt a little dated in position, and sometimes points took a couple of even more clicks than I liked, however hey, it worked.
So why adjustment?
Honestly, I simply started questioning if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (on the surface), provided more features, and all the amazing marketing experts on-line appeared to be raving concerning it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That curiosity expense me greater than just money– it cost me time, power, and satisfaction.
What It Price Me to Change
I went done in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours moving information, restoring workflows, and generally trying to duplicate my whole Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I had to relocate:
- 20,000+ email clients
- Dozens of automations
- All client accounts and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Whole funnel framework
- Customized types, landing pages, causes … whatever
Allow’s not also talk about the shed productivity during those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, seeing tutorials, and trying to determine where the hell fundamental setups were.
And just when I believed points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Sneaking In
Initially, whatever looked all right. Yet after that, out of nowhere, people on my checklist began obtaining emails they weren’t meant to obtain. I’m chatting entirely pointless messages– sent out in batches of 171 individuals each time. Three days straight.
Complete chaos.
I rebuilt the automations from scratch. Still occurred. I got in touch with support. They condemned “server problems.” Yet nothing made good sense, and the problem really did not vanish. Imagine waking up every morning wondering who your system may’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply irritating– it threatens. When your entire brand is improved trust, you can’t manage to resemble a clueless amateur blasting the incorrect emails to the incorrect individuals.
Support? Yeah, All The Best
Now, I don’t anticipate perfection from any type of platform. Pests occur. Yet when they do? I anticipate the assistance group to step up quickly.
That didn’t happen right here.
Actions were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was screaming into the void while my company shed. Meanwhile, every min I spent fixing was a min I had not been offering customers or growing my company.
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 utilize a tool and just really feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Vs Podium.
The UX was confusing. Things were hidden in odd areas. Also simple tasks like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an email circulation developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me began. Want to alter product settings, web page designs, and total circulation? Cool– you’ll need to quest via three various locations that make zero sensible feeling. Half the time, I could not also keep in mind where I would certainly clicked something ten secs previously.
It felt like utilizing software program constructed by engineers, for designers– not day-to-day business owners.
The “Affordable” Plan That Obtained Genuine Expensive, Genuine Quick
Let’s talk money.
Among GoHighLevel’s large selling points is the cost. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Sounds amazing, best?
Yet right here’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay added per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to link solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their invoicing individually.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t clarified plainly.
Desire much better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I included whatever up, I was paying greater than I had actually been with Keap. And worsening outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just negative math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Vs Podium
The last straw? Seeing my e-mail open prices go down like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a solid 35% open price with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and things just functioned.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were almost nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability issue. Possibly the system was simply sending at bad times or not individualizing messages appropriately. Whatever the cause, I had not been staying to play detective while my checklist decomposed.
Lessons I Found Out by hand
If you’re considering changing to GoHighLevel– or any type of new platform– below’s what I want someone had actually told me before I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s simple to get hyped regarding the most recent “advanced” device. However just because everyone’s discussing something does not suggest it’s right for you. If your existing system is functioning, reconsider before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
A lot more isn’t constantly far better. A system with a clean, user-friendly user interface will conserve you time and migraines in the long run– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Openness
Surprise costs are the most awful. Choose tools that are upfront about pricing, integrations, and limits. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a thesaurus to understand your monthly costs.
4. Listen to Genuine Individuals (Not Just Marketing Professionals)
Examine objective testimonials, customer forums, and Reddit threads. Pay attention to actual user experience– not just slick sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trusted, easy to use platform to run your service, I have actually examined a bunch. Here are a few I ‘d really advise:.
Keap— My present go-to. Effective automations, strong support, and it just works. Worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for companies that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one service for little to mid-sized organizations with solid reporting tools.
Monday.com— Great for project management, team collaboration, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Specifically wonderful for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel might work for some. But also for me? It was a discouraging, pricey experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the edge, questioning whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask on your own what’s truly not working in your existing setup. Do not burn your systems down just because something newer and shinier turned up.
Stick with what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will thank you.