You understand that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s a terrific idea, just to realize later … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s specifically what happened when I determined to change my entire agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It seemed revolutionary. But actually? It developed into among the most uncomfortable software application 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 with exactly what decreased– because if you’re anything like me, you’re always searching for smarter, more efficient ways to grow your business. Simply … not such as this.
The Seductive All-in-One Promise
Here’s things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it seemed like a dream happened. A single platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, consultation bookings, automation, repayments– you name it.
If you’ve ever handled a Frankenstein pile of tools simply to run your everyday, you recognize how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been utilizing Keap for many years (and liking it, honestly), however still– I got enticed in by the guarantee of streamlining whatever under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a negative situation of glossy things syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Really Worked)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did whatever I needed. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, appointment scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Sure, the interface felt a little dated in position, and occasionally points took a few more clicks than I suched as, but hey, it functioned.
So why change?
Honestly, I simply started wondering if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was more affordable (on the surface), provided much more features, and all the great marketing professionals on the internet appeared to be going crazy regarding it. FOMO is a hell of a medication.
That curiosity expense me greater than just cash– it cost me time, power, and satisfaction.
What It Price Me to Switch over
I went all in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating data, rebuilding workflows, and basically trying to reproduce my whole Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail subscribers
- Dozens of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Whole funnel framework
- Customized types, landing pages, activates … everything
Let’s not even discuss the lost performance during those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and trying to figure out where the hell fundamental setups were.
And simply when I thought points were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Sneaking In
Initially, everything looked okay. However after that, out of nowhere, individuals on my listing started obtaining e-mails they weren’t expected to receive. I’m speaking totally unimportant messages– sent out in sets of 171 individuals at once. Three days in a row.
Complete turmoil.
I restore the automations from square one. Still occurred. I called assistance. They criticized “web server problems.” However absolutely nothing made sense, and the problem really did not vanish. Visualize awakening every early morning wondering who your system may’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply aggravating– it threatens. When your entire brand name is improved depend on, you can’t manage to appear like an unaware amateur blasting the incorrect e-mails to the incorrect individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Currently, I don’t expect excellence from any system. Bugs happen. Yet when they do? I expect the support team to step up fast.
That really did not occur here.
Responses were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was screaming right into the void while my company melted. On the other hand, every min I invested troubleshooting was a minute I wasn’t offering clients or growing my agency.
For a device that markets itself to serious entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever before utilize a device and just really feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Vs Simvoly.
The UX was cumbersome. Things were buried in weird places. Also simple jobs like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me began. Intend to alter item settings, page designs, and general flow? Trendy– you’ll need to hunt with three various locations that make absolutely no logical sense. Half the moment, I could not even remember where I would certainly clicked something ten secs earlier.
It seemed like utilizing software built by engineers, for engineers– not daily local business owner.
The “Affordable” Plan That Got Actual Costly, Genuine Quick
Let’s chat money.
Among GoHighLevel’s large selling factors is the rate. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Appears incredible, ideal?
But here’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay added per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to link solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their billing independently.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t explained clearly.
Desire much better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I included whatever up, I was paying more than I had actually been with Keap. And getting worse outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just poor mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Vs Simvoly
The last straw? Viewing my email open rates go down like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a solid 35% open price with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were dialed in, and things simply functioned.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were almost missing. Something was clearly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability issue. Possibly the system was just sending at bad times or otherwise individualizing messages properly. Whatever the cause, I had not been remaining to play detective while my checklist deteriorated.
Lessons I Found Out by hand
If you’re considering changing to GoHighLevel– or any type of new system– right here’s what I want a person had actually informed me before I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s simple to obtain hyped regarding the current “advanced” device. Yet just because everyone’s discussing something doesn’t indicate it’s right for you. If your current system is functioning, hesitate prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
A lot more isn’t constantly far better. A system with a clean, user-friendly interface will save you time and frustrations over time– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Transparency
Covert expenses are the worst. Pick tools that are upfront about pricing, integrations, and limits. You should not require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to comprehend your regular monthly costs.
4. Listen to Actual Users (Not Just Marketing Experts)
Check objective reviews, customer forums, and Reddit strings. Take notice of real individual experience– not simply slick sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a dependable, easy to use platform to run your company, I have actually tested a number. Right here are a couple of I ‘d in fact advise:.
Keap— My current go-to. Effective automations, solid assistance, and it just works. Worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one solution for little to mid-sized services with solid coverage tools.
Monday.com— Wonderful for task administration, team partnership, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Especially wonderful for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel may help some. But for me? It was an aggravating, expensive experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, questioning whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask on your own what’s really not operating in your existing setup. Do not melt your systems down just because something more recent and shinier showed up.
Stick to what jobs. Your sanity (and your customers) will certainly thank you.