You know that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s a fantastic concept, just to realize later on … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s exactly what occurred when I chose to change my whole agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It seemed revolutionary. However actually? It turned into one of one of the most excruciating software program decisions I have actually made in over a decade of running my business.
So before you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you via precisely what decreased– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly searching for smarter, more efficient ways to grow your service. Just … not similar to this.
The Sexy All-in-One Assurance
Below’s the thing. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it seemed like a desire come to life. A solitary system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, visit bookings, automation, payments– you call it.
If you’ve ever handled a Frankenstein pile of devices just to run your day-to-day, you know just how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been making use of Keap for years (and loving it, truthfully), yet still– I got tempted in by the pledge of streamlining everything under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a negative instance of shiny things syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Really Worked)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did whatever I required. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, consultation organizing, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the interface felt a little dated in position, and sometimes points took a few even more clicks than I suched as, however hey, it worked.
So why modification?
Honestly, I just began asking yourself if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (on the surface), provided more features, and all the awesome marketers on the internet appeared to be raving concerning it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That interest expense me more than simply money– it cost me time, power, and comfort.
What It Expense Me to Change
I went done in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating data, rebuilding workflows, and essentially trying to duplicate my whole Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I had to relocate:
- 20,000+ email customers
- Lots of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Entire funnel framework
- Personalized types, landing pages, activates … every little thing
Allow’s not even discuss the lost performance during those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and attempting to identify where the heck standard settings were.
And just when I believed points were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Slipping In
Initially, whatever looked all right. However then, out of nowhere, individuals on my checklist began obtaining e-mails they weren’t supposed to get. I’m talking completely unimportant messages– sent in sets of 171 customers each time. Three days in a row.
Total turmoil.
I reconstruct the automations from the ground up. Still taken place. I contacted support. They blamed “web server issues.” However nothing made good sense, and the issue really did not disappear. Envision getting up every morning wondering who your system could’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just aggravating– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand name is built on trust fund, you can’t pay for to resemble an unaware amateur blasting the wrong emails to the wrong individuals.
Support? Yeah, All The Best
Currently, I don’t anticipate perfection from any platform. Insects happen. However when they do? I anticipate the support team to step up quick.
That really did not happen here.
Reactions were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was shouting into the void while my service shed. Meanwhile, every minute I invested troubleshooting was a min I wasn’t offering clients or expanding my company.
For a device that markets itself to serious entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before use a tool and simply feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Vs Thryv.
The UX was clunky. Points were buried in weird places. Even easy jobs like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me started. Intend to change product setups, web page formats, and total flow? Trendy– you’ll require to quest via 3 various areas that make no logical feeling. Half the time, I couldn’t even remember where I would certainly clicked something ten secs previously.
It felt like making use of software developed by engineers, for designers– not everyday business owners.
The “Budget friendly” Plan That Got Actual Pricey, Genuine Rapid
Let’s chat money.
Among GoHighLevel’s huge marketing points is the price. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Sounds impressive, appropriate?
Yet below’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay added per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You have to link services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their billing separately.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t clarified plainly.
Desire better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I included every little thing up, I was paying greater than I had actually been with Keap. And getting worse outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just poor math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Vs Thryv
The last straw? Watching my e-mail open prices go down like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a solid 35% open price with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were called in, and points simply functioned.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were nearly missing. Something was plainly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability problem. Maybe the system was simply sending at bad times or not customizing messages properly. Whatever the cause, I had not been sticking around to play investigator while my checklist rotted.
Lessons I Learned the Hard Way
If you’re thinking about changing to GoHighLevel– or any new system– right here’s what I want a person had informed me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s simple to obtain hyped regarding the current “advanced” tool. Yet even if everyone’s talking about something doesn’t imply it’s right for you. If your existing system is working, reconsider before blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
More isn’t constantly better. A system with a tidy, intuitive interface will certainly save you time and migraines in the long run– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Openness
Concealed prices are the most awful. Choose tools that are ahead of time regarding pricing, integrations, and limitations. You should not require a calculator and a thesaurus to understand your monthly expense.
4. Pay Attention to Real Individuals (Not Simply Marketing Professionals)
Inspect unbiased evaluations, user online forums, and Reddit threads. Focus on actual user experience– not just slick sales web pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a dependable, easy to use system to run your service, I have actually checked a bunch. Right here are a couple of I ‘d in fact suggest:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Powerful automations, strong support, and it just works. Worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for companies that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one remedy for small to mid-sized services with strong coverage devices.
Monday.com— Wonderful for task administration, group partnership, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Particularly great for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel might work for some. But for me? It was a frustrating, pricey experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, questioning whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask on your own what’s truly not working in your existing setup. Do not shed your systems down just because something more recent and shinier showed up.
Stick with what jobs. Your sanity (and your clients) will certainly thanks.