You understand that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a great concept, just to realize later on … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s precisely what took place when I determined to change my whole firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It appeared revolutionary. But in truth? It turned into among the most uncomfortable software decisions I’ve made in over a years of running my organization.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you with precisely what decreased– since if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly searching for smarter, a lot more effective methods to grow your service. Just … not similar to this.
The Sexy All-in-One Pledge
Right here’s things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a desire happened. A single platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, consultation bookings, automation, payments– you call it.
If you have actually ever managed a Frankenstein stack of tools just to run your everyday, you know exactly how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been utilizing Keap for years (and enjoying it, honestly), however still– I obtained drawn in by the guarantee of streamlining whatever under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a poor case of shiny item disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That In Fact Functioned)
Let me be real with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did every little thing I needed. It handled my e-mail automations, sales funnels, visit organizing, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the user interface felt a little outdated in position, and often points took a couple of more clicks than I suched as, but hey, it functioned.
So why modification?
Truthfully, I just began wondering if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (externally), provided a lot more features, and all the awesome marketers on-line seemed to be raving regarding it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That interest price me more than just cash– it cost me time, energy, and assurance.
What It Expense Me to Switch
I went done in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating data, restoring workflows, and essentially trying to reproduce my entire Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail customers
- Lots of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Whole funnel infrastructure
- Custom-made forms, landing pages, triggers … whatever
Allow’s not also speak about the lost productivity during those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and attempting to determine where the hell fundamental setups were.
And simply when I thought points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Creeping In
At first, everything looked all right. However after that, out of nowhere, people on my checklist began getting emails they weren’t meant to obtain. I’m talking totally pointless messages– sent out in sets of 171 individuals at once. 3 days straight.
Total chaos.
I rebuilt the automations from scratch. Still happened. I called assistance. They condemned “server issues.” Yet nothing made sense, and the trouble didn’t vanish. Picture awakening every morning questioning who your system could’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just frustrating– it threatens. When your whole brand is built on trust, you can not afford to appear like an unaware amateur blasting the incorrect e-mails to the wrong people.
Assistance? Yeah, Good Luck
Now, I do not anticipate excellence from any type of platform. Insects take place. But when they do? I expect the assistance team to step up quickly.
That really did not occur right here.
Reactions were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was yelling right into deep space while my company melted. At the same time, every min I spent repairing was a min I had not been serving clients or growing my agency.
For a tool that markets itself to major entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever before make use of a tool and simply really feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel For Photographers.
The UX was confusing. Things were hidden in weird areas. Even straightforward tasks like editing a funnel or tweaking an email circulation became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also get me started. Wish to alter product setups, page formats, and overall flow? Amazing– you’ll require to hunt with three different areas that make absolutely no sensible feeling. Fifty percent the time, I couldn’t also bear in mind where I would certainly clicked something ten secs previously.
It seemed like utilizing software program built by designers, for engineers– not daily company owner.
The “Budget-friendly” Plan That Got Real Expensive, Actual Rapid
Let’s chat cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s large selling factors is the price. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Appears impressive, best?
However below’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay added per email if you use their SMTP.
You need to attach services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their payment independently.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t discussed plainly.
Want far better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I included everything up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And worsening outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply bad mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel For Photographers
The final straw? Watching my email open prices drop like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a solid 35% open price with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were dialed in, and points just worked.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were practically nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability problem. Possibly the system was simply sending at hard times or not individualizing messages appropriately. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t lingering to play detective while my listing decayed.
Lessons I Found Out the Hard Way
If you’re thinking of changing to GoHighLevel– or any type of new platform– below’s what I desire somebody had actually told me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s simple to get hyped regarding the most recent “revolutionary” device. However just because everyone’s speaking about something does not mean it’s right for you. If your present system is working, hesitate prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
Much more isn’t always better. A platform with a tidy, intuitive interface will conserve you time and frustrations over time– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Transparency
Concealed prices are the worst. Pick tools that are in advance about pricing, integrations, and limitations. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to understand your month-to-month bill.
4. Pay Attention to Genuine Users (Not Just Marketers)
Inspect objective reviews, user discussion forums, and Reddit strings. Take note of actual customer experience– not just slick sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a dependable, user-friendly platform to run your company, I’ve tested a lot. Here are a few I ‘d really advise:.
Keap— My present go-to. Effective automations, solid assistance, and it simply functions. Worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for services that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one option for little to mid-sized organizations with solid coverage devices.
Monday.com— Great for task management, group partnership, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Specifically excellent for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel might benefit some. However, for me? It was a discouraging, pricey experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, asking yourself whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s really not operating in your present setup. Do not melt your systems down just because something more recent and shinier showed up.
Stick with what jobs. Your sanity (and your clients) will certainly thanks.