You know that sensation when you’re 99% sure something’s a great concept, only to understand later on … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s exactly what occurred when I determined to switch my whole agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It seemed revolutionary. But actually? It became one of the most agonizing software choices I’ve made in over a decade of running my business.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you via specifically what dropped– since if you’re anything like me, you’re always searching for smarter, a lot more effective ways to grow your company. Simply … not such as this.
The Seductive All-in-One Assurance
Right here’s the thing. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a desire come true. A single platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, visit reservations, automation, settlements– you name it.
If you’ve ever before handled a Frankenstein stack of devices just to run your daily, you recognize just how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been using Keap for many years (and loving it, truthfully), yet still– I got enticed in by the assurance of simplifying everything under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a bad case of shiny item syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Actually Worked)
Let me be real with you: Keap had not been broken. It did whatever I needed. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, consultation organizing, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the user interface really felt a little outdated in position, and sometimes points took a few more clicks than I suched as, however hey, it functioned.
So why modification?
Truthfully, I just started asking yourself if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (on the surface), supplied much more features, and all the awesome marketing professionals on-line appeared to be raving concerning it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That curiosity price me greater than just cash– it cost me time, power, and peace of mind.
What It Price Me to Change
I went done in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours moving information, reconstructing workflows, and basically trying to replicate my whole Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail subscribers
- Loads of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Entire funnel facilities
- Custom-made forms, landing pages, triggers … everything
Let’s not even talk about the shed productivity throughout those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and trying to identify where the hell basic settings were.
And simply when I believed points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Slipping In
In the beginning, whatever looked okay. Yet after that, out of no place, individuals on my checklist started getting emails they weren’t intended to get. I’m chatting totally irrelevant messages– sent in batches of 171 users each time. 3 days in a row.
Overall chaos.
I restore the automations from scratch. Still taken place. I got in touch with support. They condemned “server concerns.” However nothing made sense, and the trouble didn’t vanish. Imagine getting up every early morning wondering who your system might’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just frustrating– it threatens. When your whole brand name is built on depend on, you can’t manage to resemble an unaware amateur blowing up the wrong emails to the incorrect people.
Support? Yeah, All The Best
Now, I do not anticipate perfection from any platform. Insects happen. However when they do? I anticipate the assistance group to step up quick.
That didn’t take place here.
Reactions were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was shouting right into deep space while my company burned. On the other hand, every minute I spent troubleshooting was a min I wasn’t serving 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 use a device and simply really feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Vs Systeme.io.
The UX was cumbersome. Points were hidden in unusual areas. Even simple tasks like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an email circulation turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even get me began. Wish to alter product setups, page layouts, and general circulation? Trendy– you’ll require to hunt via three different locations that make absolutely no logical feeling. Half the time, I couldn’t even bear in mind where I would certainly clicked something ten seconds previously.
It seemed like using software application developed by engineers, for designers– not day-to-day entrepreneur.
The “Affordable” Plan That Got Genuine Pricey, Actual Quick
Let’s talk cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s big selling factors is the rate. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Appears remarkable, best?
However below’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay added per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to connect services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their billing independently.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t clarified clearly.
Want much better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I added everything up, I was paying more than I had actually been with Keap. And getting worse results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply bad mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Vs Systeme.io
The final straw? Viewing my e-mail open prices go down like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a solid 35% open price with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were dialed in, and points just worked.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were virtually nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability issue. Possibly the system was just sending out at bad times or otherwise individualizing messages properly. Whatever the cause, I had not been lingering to play investigative while my list deteriorated.
Lessons I Found Out the Hard Way
If you’re thinking of switching to GoHighLevel– or any new platform– below’s what I desire someone had actually told me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s easy to get hyped about the current “innovative” device. Yet even if everybody’s talking about something doesn’t indicate it’s right for you. If your current system is working, reconsider before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
More isn’t constantly much better. A system with a clean, user-friendly interface will save you time and frustrations over time– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Openness
Hidden expenses are the most awful. Select tools that are upfront concerning pricing, integrations, and limitations. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to comprehend your month-to-month costs.
4. Listen to Real Users (Not Simply Marketing Experts)
Examine honest reviews, user online forums, and Reddit threads. Pay attention to actual individual experience– not simply glossy sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reputable, user-friendly platform to run your service, I’ve checked a bunch. Here are a couple of I ‘d actually recommend:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Powerful automations, strong assistance, and it simply functions. Worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for services that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one option for small to mid-sized services with solid coverage devices.
Monday.com— Wonderful for project monitoring, group partnership, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Particularly terrific for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel may help some. However, for me? It was an aggravating, pricey experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, asking yourself whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s really not operating in your current arrangement. Do not shed your systems down just because something newer and shinier appeared.
Stick to what works. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will certainly thank you.