You know that sensation when you’re 99% sure something’s an excellent idea, only to understand later on … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s specifically what happened when I decided to switch my entire firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It sounded revolutionary. Yet actually? It developed into one of one of the most unpleasant software program decisions I’ve made in over a years of running my service.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you with specifically what went down– since if you’re anything like me, you’re always looking for smarter, extra reliable means to grow your service. Simply … not like this.
The Sexy All-in-One Promise
Below’s the important things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a desire happened. A single system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, appointment bookings, automation, repayments– you call it.
If you’ve ever before handled a Monster pile of tools just to run your everyday, you recognize just how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been making use of Keap for years (and liking it, truthfully), however still– I obtained enticed in by the pledge of streamlining everything under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a bad instance of glossy item disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Really Worked)
Let me be real with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did whatever I needed. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, visit scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the interface felt a little dated in position, and sometimes things took a few even more clicks than I suched as, yet hey, it functioned.
So why adjustment?
Truthfully, I simply started asking yourself if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (externally), provided a lot more features, and all the awesome marketing professionals online seemed to be going crazy about it. FOMO is a heck of a drug.
That interest expense me more than simply cash– it cost me time, power, and assurance.
What It Expense Me to Switch over
I went done in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating information, reconstructing workflows, and primarily trying to duplicate my entire Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I had to relocate:
- 20,000+ email clients
- Dozens of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Whole funnel infrastructure
- Custom-made forms, landing pages, triggers … whatever
Let’s not even speak about the lost productivity throughout those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, seeing tutorials, and attempting to identify where the hell fundamental setups were.
And just when I believed points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Sneaking In
At first, every little thing looked all right. But then, out of no place, individuals on my listing started getting e-mails they weren’t supposed to obtain. I’m talking completely irrelevant messages– sent out in sets of 171 individuals at a time. 3 days straight.
Complete chaos.
I reconstruct the automations from the ground up. Still occurred. I contacted support. They condemned “web server concerns.” But absolutely nothing made sense, and the trouble really did not vanish. Envision awakening every morning questioning who your system may’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just annoying– it’s dangerous. When your entire brand name is improved trust fund, you can’t pay for to resemble a clueless amateur blowing up the wrong e-mails to the wrong people.
Support? Yeah, All The Best
Now, I don’t anticipate excellence from any type of platform. Insects occur. But when they do? I anticipate the support team to step up quick.
That really did not take place below.
Responses were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was yelling into deep space while my business burned. At the same time, every minute I spent fixing was a minute I wasn’t serving customers or growing my company.
For a device that markets itself to significant business owners, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before utilize a device and simply feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Vs Vendasta.
The UX was cumbersome. Things were buried in weird areas. Also straightforward jobs like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an email flow turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also get me began. Want to alter item setups, page designs, and total circulation? Trendy– you’ll require to quest via three various areas that make zero logical feeling. Half the time, I could not even bear in mind where I would certainly clicked something ten secs earlier.
It felt like making use of software program built by engineers, for designers– not daily company owner.
The “Inexpensive” Plan That Obtained Actual Costly, Actual Rapid
Let’s speak money.
Among GoHighLevel’s huge marketing points is the rate. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Appears remarkable, ideal?
However right here’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay added per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their payment separately.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t explained clearly.
Desire better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I added 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 simply negative math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Vs Vendasta
The last straw? Watching my e-mail open rates go down like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a solid 35% open rate with Keap. My target market was engaged, my automations were called in, and points just functioned.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were almost missing. Something was clearly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability problem. Maybe the system was just sending at bad times or not individualizing messages properly. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t remaining to play detective while my listing decayed.
Lessons I Learned by hand
If you’re thinking of switching over to GoHighLevel– or any kind of new platform– here’s what I wish someone had actually informed me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s very easy to obtain hyped concerning the current “revolutionary” tool. However even if everybody’s speaking about something does not indicate it’s right for you. If your present system is functioning, reconsider before blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
Extra isn’t constantly much better. A system with a tidy, intuitive user interface will conserve you time and migraines over time– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Transparency
Concealed prices are the worst. Select devices that are ahead of time regarding pricing, integrations, and limitations. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a thesaurus to comprehend your monthly costs.
4. Listen to Genuine Customers (Not Just Online Marketers)
Check impartial evaluations, user forums, and Reddit threads. Take notice of real user experience– not simply slick sales web pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trustworthy, straightforward platform to run your service, I have actually tested a lot. Below are a couple of I ‘d actually suggest:.
Keap— My current go-to. Powerful automations, strong assistance, and it simply functions. Well worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for companies that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one solution for small to mid-sized businesses with strong coverage devices.
Monday.com— Wonderful for job monitoring, team partnership, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Specifically excellent for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel might help some. However, for me? It was an irritating, pricey experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, questioning whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask on your own what’s truly not operating in your current arrangement. Do not burn your systems down just because something more recent and shinier turned up.
Stick to what works. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will thanks.