You recognize that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s an excellent idea, only to recognize later on … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s specifically what took place when I chose to switch my whole company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It seemed revolutionary. However actually? It developed into among the most uncomfortable software program decisions I have actually made in over a years of running my service.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you through precisely what dropped– since if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly trying to find smarter, much more efficient methods to expand your organization. Simply … not such as this.
The Sexy All-in-One Assurance
Below’s the important things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a desire become a reality. A solitary system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, consultation bookings, automation, payments– you call it.
If you have actually ever before juggled a Monster pile of tools simply to run your everyday, you recognize how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been making use of Keap for several years (and liking it, truthfully), however still– I got enticed in by the promise of streamlining everything under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a poor instance of shiny things disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Really Functioned)
Let me be actual with you: Keap had not been broken. It did every little thing I needed. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, consultation scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the interface really felt a little dated in position, and sometimes points took a couple of even more clicks than I liked, but hey, it functioned.
So why modification?
Truthfully, I simply started questioning if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (externally), supplied much more features, and all the trendy marketing experts on the internet appeared to be going crazy regarding it. FOMO is a heck of a drug.
That curiosity cost me greater than just cash– it cost me time, power, and peace of mind.
What It Cost Me to Switch over
I went all in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating data, restoring workflows, and basically trying to replicate my entire Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I had to relocate:
- 20,000+ email clients
- Dozens of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Entire funnel infrastructure
- Personalized types, landing pages, sets off … every little thing
Allow’s not also speak about the lost performance during those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and trying to identify where the heck basic setups were.
And just when I thought points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Slipping In
In the beginning, everything looked all right. Yet after that, out of nowhere, individuals on my list started getting e-mails they weren’t supposed to get. I’m talking entirely unimportant messages– sent out in batches of 171 individuals each time. Three days straight.
Total chaos.
I restore the automations from square one. Still occurred. I spoke to assistance. They blamed “server problems.” Yet absolutely nothing made good sense, and the issue really did not disappear. Think of awakening every early morning questioning who your system might’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just annoying– it threatens. When your whole brand name is built on count on, you can not afford to appear like a clueless amateur blowing up the incorrect emails to the incorrect people.
Support? Yeah, All The Best
Currently, I do not expect perfection from any kind of platform. Pests occur. However when they do? I anticipate the assistance group to step up fast.
That didn’t occur right here.
Responses were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was shouting into deep space while my business melted. Meanwhile, every min I spent repairing was a minute I had not been serving customers or expanding my company.
For a device that markets itself to severe entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever before make use of a device and just really feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Vs Webflow.
The UX was cumbersome. Points were buried in strange areas. Also straightforward tasks like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t even get me began. Intend to change product setups, page formats, and overall flow? Cool– you’ll require to hunt via three various areas that make zero rational sense. Half the moment, I could not also remember where I would certainly clicked something ten seconds previously.
It felt like making use of software application developed by engineers, for designers– not day-to-day business owners.
The “Affordable” Plan That Got Real Expensive, Genuine Rapid
Let’s talk money.
Among GoHighLevel’s large selling points is the rate. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Seems fantastic, best?
However here’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay added per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You need to connect services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their invoicing separately.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t clarified plainly.
Want far better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I added everything up, I was paying more than I had actually been with Keap. And becoming worse results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just bad mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Vs Webflow
The last straw? Watching my e-mail open prices go down like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a strong 35% open price with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and points just functioned.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped below 15%. Clicks were practically missing. Something was clearly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability issue. Possibly the system was simply sending at hard times or not individualizing messages properly. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t lingering to play detective while my checklist decayed.
Lessons I Discovered by hand
If you’re considering switching to GoHighLevel– or any kind of new platform– here’s what I desire somebody had informed me before I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s very easy to get hyped about the most recent “cutting edge” tool. Yet just because everybody’s discussing something does not imply it’s right for you. If your current system is functioning, think twice before blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
More isn’t constantly far better. A system with a clean, user-friendly user interface will certainly save you time and headaches in the long run– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Transparency
Surprise expenses are the most awful. Choose tools that are ahead of time concerning pricing, integrations, and limits. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a thesaurus to understand your monthly costs.
4. Pay Attention to Actual Users (Not Simply Marketing Experts)
Examine objective testimonials, user forums, and Reddit strings. Focus on actual customer experience– not just glossy sales web pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reputable, user-friendly platform to run your service, I’ve examined a number. Right here are a couple of I ‘d actually recommend:.
Keap— My current go-to. Effective automations, strong support, and it just functions. Worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for services that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one option for little to mid-sized companies with solid reporting devices.
Monday.com— Wonderful for project management, group partnership, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Particularly wonderful for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel might help some. But for me? It was an irritating, expensive experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, asking yourself whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask yourself what’s actually not operating in your present arrangement. Don’t shed your systems down even if something newer and shinier showed up.
Stick with what jobs. Your sanity (and your customers) will certainly thanks.