You understand that sensation when you’re 99% sure something’s a wonderful idea, only to understand later on … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s exactly what took place when I chose to switch my whole company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It seemed revolutionary. But in reality? It became among the most uncomfortable software choices I have actually made in over a years of running my business.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you via exactly what decreased– since if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly searching for smarter, a lot more effective means to grow your company. Simply … not such as this.
The Seductive All-in-One Pledge
Below’s things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a dream happened. A single system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, consultation reservations, automation, payments– you name it.
If you’ve ever before managed a Monster pile of devices just to run your daily, you know just how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been utilizing Keap for years (and liking it, honestly), however still– I obtained enticed in by the promise of simplifying whatever under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a poor instance of glossy things syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Really Functioned)
Let me be actual with you: Keap had not been broken. It did every little thing I required. It handled my e-mail automations, sales funnels, consultation organizing, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the user interface really felt a little outdated in position, and often things took a few more clicks than I suched as, however hey, it functioned.
So why change?
Honestly, I simply began wondering if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (on the surface), supplied a lot more features, and all the cool marketers online seemed to be raving regarding it. FOMO is a hell of a medication.
That interest cost me greater than simply cash– it cost me time, power, and comfort.
What It Cost Me to Switch over
I went all in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating information, restoring workflows, and primarily attempting to replicate my entire Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail clients
- Dozens of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Whole funnel facilities
- Customized kinds, landing pages, causes … everything
Let’s not even speak about the lost efficiency during those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and attempting to find out where the hell fundamental settings were.
And just when I believed things were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Creeping In
Initially, whatever looked okay. Yet then, out of no place, individuals on my list began getting emails they weren’t expected to get. I’m talking entirely unimportant messages– sent out in batches of 171 individuals at once. Three days in a row.
Total disorder.
I rebuilt the automations from square one. Still occurred. I contacted assistance. They blamed “server concerns.” But nothing made good sense, and the trouble really did not disappear. Think of waking up every morning wondering who your system may’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just frustrating– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand name is improved depend on, you can not manage to look like a clueless amateur blasting the wrong emails to the incorrect individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Currently, I do not anticipate perfection from any system. Bugs occur. However when they do? I expect the assistance team to step up quick.
That really did not occur below.
Responses were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was yelling right into the void while my service shed. On the other hand, every min I spent fixing was a minute I wasn’t serving clients or growing my agency.
For a device that markets itself to major entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever use a tool and just feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Vs Teachable.
The UX was clunky. Points were buried in odd locations. Even basic tasks like modifying a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me started. Wish to transform item settings, web page formats, and total flow? Amazing– you’ll need to search via three various areas that make no logical sense. Fifty percent the moment, I could not even bear in mind where I ‘d clicked something 10 secs earlier.
It felt like using software built by engineers, for designers– not everyday business owners.
The “Cost effective” Plan That Obtained Real Pricey, Actual Rapid
Let’s speak cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s large marketing factors is the price. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Appears impressive, ideal?
But below’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay additional per email if you use their SMTP.
You need to link services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their payment individually.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t described clearly.
Want better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I included everything up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And becoming worse outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply bad mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Vs Teachable
The last straw? Enjoying my email open rates drop like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were called in, and things just functioned.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were practically nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability concern. Possibly the system was just sending out at hard times or not customizing messages properly. Whatever the cause, I had not been remaining to play detective while my list rotted.
Lessons I Learned by hand
If you’re considering switching over to GoHighLevel– or any brand-new platform– right here’s what I desire someone had actually told me before I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s very easy to obtain hyped regarding the most up to date “cutting edge” tool. Yet just because every person’s discussing something does not indicate it’s right for you. If your existing system is working, think twice prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simplicity Over Features
More isn’t always better. A platform with a tidy, instinctive user interface will certainly conserve you time and headaches in the long run– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Transparency
Surprise expenses are the worst. Pick tools that are in advance about pricing, integrations, and limitations. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to comprehend your regular monthly bill.
4. Pay Attention to Genuine Individuals (Not Just Marketers)
Inspect impartial reviews, customer online forums, and Reddit threads. Pay attention to real user experience– not just glossy sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a dependable, straightforward system to run your service, I’ve evaluated a lot. Below are a couple of I ‘d really recommend:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Effective automations, strong assistance, and it simply functions. Well worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for companies that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one option for small to mid-sized businesses with strong coverage devices.
Monday.com— Great for project management, team partnership, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Especially excellent for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel might work for some. But for me? It was a discouraging, pricey experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, asking yourself whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s actually not working in your current setup. Do not shed your systems down even if something more recent and shinier showed up.
Stick with what jobs. Your sanity (and your customers) will thank you.