You recognize that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a fantastic idea, only to recognize later … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s precisely what took place when I decided to switch my whole agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It seemed revolutionary. However in truth? It developed into one of one of the most uncomfortable software program decisions I have actually made in over a years of running my company.
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 searching for smarter, more efficient methods to grow your organization. Simply … not similar to this.
The Sexy All-in-One Promise
Here’s things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a dream come true. A solitary system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, consultation bookings, automation, settlements– you call it.
If you’ve ever juggled a Frankenstein stack of tools simply to run your everyday, you recognize how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been utilizing Keap for years (and enjoying it, truthfully), yet still– I got drawn in by the guarantee of streamlining whatever under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a poor case of shiny item syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Actually Worked)
Let me be actual with you: Keap had not been broken. It did every little thing I required. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, consultation scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the interface really felt a little outdated in position, and occasionally points took a few more clicks than I suched as, yet hey, it functioned.
So why modification?
Truthfully, I just started questioning if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (externally), supplied more features, and all the amazing marketing experts on-line seemed to be going crazy about it. FOMO is a heck of a medicine.
That curiosity cost me greater than just cash– it cost me time, power, and assurance.
What It Expense Me to Change
I went done in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating data, reconstructing workflows, and essentially attempting to duplicate my entire Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ email customers
- Lots of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Whole funnel framework
- Personalized forms, landing pages, activates … every little thing
Let’s not even speak about the lost efficiency throughout those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, seeing tutorials, and attempting to find out where the hell standard settings were.
And just when I assumed things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Creeping In
In the beginning, whatever looked fine. Yet then, out of no place, individuals on my checklist started getting emails they weren’t meant to obtain. I’m chatting completely unimportant messages– sent out in batches of 171 users at a time. 3 days straight.
Complete chaos.
I restore the automations from square one. Still happened. I called assistance. They criticized “web server concerns.” Yet nothing made sense, and the problem really did not vanish. Imagine getting up every early morning wondering who your system might’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just bothersome– it threatens. When your whole brand name is built on trust fund, you can not manage to resemble a clueless amateur blowing up the wrong e-mails to the incorrect individuals.
Support? Yeah, All The Best
Now, I do not expect excellence from any kind of platform. Bugs take place. However when they do? I anticipate the assistance team to step up quickly.
That didn’t occur here.
Reactions were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was shouting into deep space while my service shed. On the other hand, every min I spent troubleshooting was a min I wasn’t offering clients or expanding my agency.
For a device that markets itself to serious business owners, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before utilize a tool and just really feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Vs Zapier.
The UX was confusing. Things were buried in unusual places. Even easy tasks like modifying a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also get me started. Wish to alter item setups, page layouts, and overall flow? Awesome– you’ll need to quest via 3 different locations that make no sensible feeling. Fifty percent the moment, I could not also remember where I ‘d clicked something ten secs previously.
It seemed like making use of software constructed by designers, for designers– not daily local business owner.
The “Economical” Plan That Obtained Real Expensive, Genuine Rapid
Let’s speak cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s big marketing factors is the cost. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Sounds fantastic, appropriate?
However below’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay extra per email if you use their SMTP.
You have to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their payment independently.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t explained clearly.
Want far better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I added whatever up, I was paying greater than I had been with Keap. And getting worse outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply bad math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Vs Zapier
The last straw? Viewing my e-mail open rates drop like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were called in, and things simply functioned.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped below 15%. Clicks were practically missing. Something was clearly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability issue. Maybe the system was just sending out at hard times or otherwise individualizing messages properly. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t lingering to play detective while my listing rotted.
Lessons I Found Out the Hard Way
If you’re thinking of changing to GoHighLevel– or any kind of brand-new platform– below’s what I want a person had informed me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s simple to get hyped about the most recent “advanced” device. Yet just because every person’s discussing something does not indicate it’s right for you. If your current system is working, think twice before blowing it up.
2. Value Simplicity Over Features
More isn’t always far better. A platform with a tidy, intuitive user interface will conserve you time and migraines in the long run– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Transparency
Covert prices are the worst. Select tools that are ahead of time concerning pricing, integrations, and limitations. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a thesaurus to recognize your monthly costs.
4. Pay Attention to Genuine Individuals (Not Simply Marketers)
Check impartial evaluations, customer discussion forums, and Reddit threads. Pay attention to actual user experience– not just glossy sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a dependable, user-friendly system to run your business, I’ve tested a number. Right here are a couple of I ‘d really suggest:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Powerful automations, solid assistance, and it just works. Well worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for services that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one remedy for little to mid-sized services with solid coverage tools.
Monday.com— Amazing for job administration, group collaboration, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Especially terrific for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel might work for some. But also for me? It was an aggravating, pricey experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, questioning whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask yourself what’s truly not working in your present setup. Do not shed your systems down just because something more recent and shinier turned up.
Stick with what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will certainly thanks.