You understand that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s a great concept, just to realize later on … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s exactly what happened when I chose to switch my entire agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It appeared revolutionary. But in truth? It became one of one of the most agonizing software program choices I’ve made in over a years of running my company.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you via precisely what dropped– since if you’re anything like me, you’re always looking for smarter, more reliable ways to grow your service. Just … not like this.
The Seductive All-in-One Promise
Below’s the important things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a dream become a reality. A single platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, appointment reservations, automation, settlements– you call it.
If you have actually ever before handled a Monster stack of tools simply to run your daily, you understand just how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been making use of Keap for years (and liking it, honestly), however still– I obtained drawn in by the assurance of simplifying everything under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a bad instance of glossy object disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That In Fact Worked)
Let me be actual with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did everything I required. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, visit organizing, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the user interface really felt a little outdated in places, and often points took a couple of more clicks than I suched as, however hey, it functioned.
So why modification?
Truthfully, I simply began wondering if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (on the surface), offered extra features, and all the trendy marketing experts on the internet appeared to be going crazy regarding it. FOMO is a hell of a medicine.
That inquisitiveness expense me greater than simply cash– it cost me time, power, and peace of mind.
What It Price Me to Switch over
I went done in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating information, rebuilding workflows, and basically attempting to duplicate my entire Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ email customers
- Loads of automations
- All client accounts and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Entire funnel framework
- Customized forms, landing pages, triggers … every little thing
Let’s not also talk about the lost performance during those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and trying to find out where the hell basic settings were.
And just when I thought things were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Slipping In
Initially, whatever looked all right. Yet then, out of no place, individuals on my list began obtaining emails they weren’t intended to obtain. I’m speaking totally pointless messages– sent in sets of 171 customers at a time. Three days straight.
Complete disorder.
I restore the automations from square one. Still taken place. I spoke to assistance. They criticized “server problems.” But nothing made sense, and the issue really did not vanish. Imagine getting up every morning wondering who your system could’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just irritating– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand is built on count on, you can not pay for to look like a clueless amateur blasting the wrong e-mails to the incorrect individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Now, I don’t anticipate perfection from any kind of system. Bugs take place. But when they do? I expect the support team to step up quickly.
That didn’t take place right here.
Actions were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was shouting right into the void while my service shed. On the other hand, every min I spent fixing was a minute I had not been serving clients or expanding my company.
For a tool that markets itself to significant entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain really did not treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever utilize a device and just really feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Vs SamCart.
The UX was cumbersome. Things were buried in weird locations. Also easy tasks like modifying a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me began. Intend to change product setups, page formats, and total circulation? Great– you’ll need to search via 3 various areas that make no logical feeling. Fifty percent the time, I couldn’t even keep in mind where I ‘d clicked something ten secs previously.
It seemed like using software developed by designers, for designers– not everyday company owner.
The “Inexpensive” Plan That Got Real Pricey, Actual Rapid
Let’s chat cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s big selling factors is the cost. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Appears remarkable, appropriate?
However below’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay added per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to link solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their billing independently.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t clarified clearly.
Desire better email 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 becoming worse outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply negative math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Vs SamCart
The last straw? Viewing my e-mail open rates drop like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were called in, and points just worked.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were virtually missing. Something was plainly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability concern. Maybe the system was just sending at bad times or otherwise individualizing messages appropriately. Whatever the reason, I had not been lingering to play detective while my listing decayed.
Lessons I Learned the Hard Way
If you’re considering switching over to GoHighLevel– or any new system– right here’s what I wish somebody had informed me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s very easy to obtain hyped concerning the most recent “revolutionary” device. Yet just because everybody’s speaking about something does not imply it’s right for you. If your current system is working, think twice before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
Much more isn’t always much better. A system with a tidy, instinctive user interface will certainly save you time and headaches in the long run– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Openness
Hidden costs are the worst. Select devices that are ahead of time concerning pricing, integrations, and limitations. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to recognize your regular monthly bill.
4. Listen to Genuine Users (Not Simply Marketers)
Inspect impartial reviews, user discussion forums, and Reddit strings. Pay attention to real individual experience– not simply glossy sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reliable, user-friendly platform to run your service, I have actually tested a bunch. Below are a few I ‘d really suggest:.
Keap— My current go-to. Effective automations, solid support, and it simply works. Worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for services that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one option for little to mid-sized businesses with solid reporting devices.
Monday.com— Superb for task management, group collaboration, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Specifically great for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel may benefit some. But for me? It was a frustrating, expensive experiment that I could not wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the edge, questioning whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s truly not operating in your existing arrangement. Don’t burn your systems down even if something more recent and shinier showed up.
Stick with what jobs. Your sanity (and your clients) will thank you.