You know that sensation when you’re 99% sure something’s a fantastic idea, just to recognize later on … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s specifically what took place when I determined to switch my entire firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It sounded revolutionary. However in truth? It turned into one of the most uncomfortable software choices I have actually made in over a years of running my company.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you through precisely what dropped– since if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly searching for smarter, more efficient ways to grow your service. Simply … not like this.
The Seductive All-in-One Promise
Right here’s the thing. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a dream come true. A solitary system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, visit bookings, automation, repayments– you name it.
If you have actually ever juggled a Monster pile of devices just to run your everyday, you know exactly how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been utilizing Keap for several years (and liking it, truthfully), however still– I got lured in by the guarantee of simplifying whatever under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a poor case of shiny item syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Really Functioned)
Let me be actual with you: Keap wasn’t damaged. It did everything I required. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, visit organizing, invoicing– you name it. Sure, the interface felt a little dated in position, and sometimes things took a couple of even more clicks than I liked, however hey, it worked.
So why change?
Honestly, I just began asking yourself if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (externally), offered much more features, and all the awesome marketing experts online appeared to be raving concerning it. FOMO is a hell of a medication.
That inquisitiveness cost me more than just cash– it cost me time, power, and peace of mind.
What It Cost Me to Switch over
I went done in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours moving data, reconstructing workflows, and generally attempting to reproduce my whole Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail customers
- Lots of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Entire funnel framework
- Custom-made kinds, landing pages, sets off … every little thing
Let’s not even talk about the lost productivity throughout those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and trying to figure out where the heck basic setups were.
And just when I believed points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Creeping In
Initially, every little thing looked alright. Yet after that, out of no place, individuals on my listing began getting e-mails they weren’t intended to receive. I’m talking entirely irrelevant messages– sent in batches of 171 users at once. 3 days in a row.
Overall mayhem.
I reconstruct the automations from the ground up. Still occurred. I called support. They criticized “web server issues.” But nothing made sense, and the issue didn’t go away. Visualize getting up every morning wondering who your system could’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just aggravating– it threatens. When your whole brand is improved trust fund, you can’t manage to resemble an unaware amateur blasting the wrong emails to the wrong individuals.
Support? Yeah, All The Best
Now, I do not anticipate perfection from any type of platform. Bugs occur. Yet when they do? I anticipate the support group to step up quickly.
That really did not take place here.
Actions were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was yelling into the void while my business melted. Meanwhile, every minute I spent repairing was a minute I wasn’t offering clients or expanding my firm.
For a device that markets itself to major business owners, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever make use of a device and simply feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Vs Salesforce.
The UX was clunky. Things were buried in odd areas. Also basic tasks like modifying a funnel or tweaking an email flow developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me started. Intend to change product setups, page formats, and total flow? Amazing– you’ll require to hunt via three different locations that make absolutely no logical sense. Half the time, I could not also bear in mind where I ‘d clicked something 10 secs earlier.
It felt like utilizing software developed by designers, for engineers– not daily entrepreneur.
The “Economical” Plan That Obtained Real Expensive, Real Fast
Let’s chat money.
One of GoHighLevel’s huge selling points is the price. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Sounds incredible, right?
But below’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay added per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their payment individually.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t clarified clearly.
Desire far better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I added every little thing up, I was paying greater than I had actually been with Keap. And becoming worse outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just bad mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Vs Salesforce
The final straw? Viewing my email open rates drop like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a solid 35% open rate with Keap. My target market was engaged, my automations were called in, and points just worked.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were almost missing. Something was clearly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability problem. Possibly the system was just sending at hard times or not individualizing messages correctly. Whatever the cause, I had not been remaining to play detective while my list rotted.
Lessons I Found Out by hand
If you’re thinking of switching to GoHighLevel– or any kind of new platform– right here’s what I wish somebody had informed me before I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s simple to obtain hyped regarding the most up to date “cutting edge” tool. However just because everybody’s discussing something doesn’t indicate it’s right for you. If your present system is functioning, hesitate prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
Much more isn’t always better. A system with a tidy, instinctive interface will certainly save you time and frustrations in the future– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Openness
Surprise prices are the most awful. Choose tools that are upfront about pricing, integrations, and limits. You should not require a calculator and a thesaurus to recognize your month-to-month expense.
4. Listen to Real Individuals (Not Just Marketing Professionals)
Examine honest reviews, user online forums, and Reddit threads. Pay attention to real individual experience– not simply slick sales web pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trusted, easy to use system to run your company, I’ve evaluated a bunch. Right here are a few I ‘d really suggest:.
Keap— My present go-to. Effective automations, solid assistance, and it just functions. Worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for services that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one solution for little to mid-sized services with solid reporting devices.
Monday.com— Superb for task administration, team partnership, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Particularly terrific for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel might help some. But for me? It was an irritating, costly experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, wondering whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s really not operating in your present arrangement. Don’t burn your systems down just because something more recent and shinier appeared.
Stick to what works. Your sanity (and your clients) will thank you.