You recognize that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a wonderful idea, only to realize later on … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s specifically what occurred when I decided to change my whole agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It sounded revolutionary. Yet in reality? It developed into one of one of the most uncomfortable software application choices I have actually made in over a decade of running my business.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you through specifically what dropped– since if you’re anything like me, you’re always looking for smarter, much more effective methods to grow your business. Just … not like this.
The Seductive All-in-One Pledge
Here’s the important things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a desire happened. A single platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, consultation reservations, automation, repayments– you call it.
If you have actually ever juggled a Monster stack of tools simply to run your daily, you know how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been using Keap for years (and loving it, truthfully), yet still– I obtained enticed in by the pledge of simplifying everything under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a negative instance of glossy item syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That In Fact Worked)
Let me be real with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did everything I required. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, appointment scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the interface felt a little outdated in position, and occasionally points took a few even more clicks than I suched as, but hey, it worked.
So why change?
Truthfully, I simply began wondering if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (externally), offered a lot more features, and all the great online marketers online seemed to be going crazy regarding it. FOMO is a heck of a medication.
That curiosity cost me greater than just cash– it cost me time, power, and peace of mind.
What It Price Me to Switch over
I went all in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours moving data, restoring workflows, and generally trying to duplicate my entire Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail clients
- Lots of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Entire funnel infrastructure
- Customized types, landing pages, activates … every little thing
Allow’s not even discuss the lost productivity throughout those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and trying to figure out where the heck standard settings were.
And simply when I thought things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Creeping In
At first, everything looked all right. Yet then, out of nowhere, people on my listing started obtaining emails they weren’t meant to get. I’m talking entirely pointless messages– sent out in batches of 171 customers each time. 3 days in a row.
Overall mayhem.
I reconstruct the automations from square one. Still taken place. I got in touch with assistance. They blamed “web server concerns.” Yet nothing made sense, and the problem didn’t disappear. Imagine awakening every early morning wondering who your system could’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just aggravating– it threatens. When your entire brand name is built on count on, you can not pay for to appear like a clueless amateur blowing up the wrong e-mails to the wrong individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Now, I don’t expect excellence from any kind of platform. Bugs occur. Yet when they do? I anticipate the assistance team to step up quickly.
That really did not take place below.
Actions were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was screaming into deep space while my organization shed. On the other hand, every min I spent troubleshooting was a min I had not been serving clients 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 simply feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel QR Code Generator.
The UX was cumbersome. Things were hidden in odd locations. Even easy jobs like modifying a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also get me started. Intend to change product settings, page layouts, and overall circulation? Great– you’ll need to quest with 3 different locations that make no sensible sense. Half the time, I couldn’t also bear in mind where I ‘d clicked something ten seconds previously.
It felt like making use of software program built by designers, for engineers– not day-to-day local business owner.
The “Budget-friendly” Plan That Obtained Genuine Costly, Real Fast
Let’s chat money.
One of GoHighLevel’s huge marketing points is the price. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Appears amazing, appropriate?
However here’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay additional per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their invoicing separately.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t described plainly.
Want much better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I added every little thing up, I was paying more than I had actually been with Keap. And getting worse results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply poor mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel QR Code Generator
The last straw? Watching my e-mail open prices drop like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a solid 35% open rate with Keap. My target market was engaged, my automations were called in, and things simply functioned.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were practically nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability problem. Perhaps the system was just sending out at hard times or not personalizing messages appropriately. Whatever the reason, I had not been sticking around to play investigator while my checklist decomposed.
Lessons I Learned the Hard Way
If you’re thinking of switching over to GoHighLevel– or any new platform– below’s what I want somebody had informed me before I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s very easy to obtain hyped about the latest “advanced” tool. However even if every person’s discussing something does not suggest it’s right for you. If your existing system is working, hesitate before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
Extra isn’t constantly much better. A platform with a clean, user-friendly user interface will conserve you time and headaches in the long run– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Transparency
Surprise prices are the most awful. Pick devices that are in advance about pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to recognize your regular monthly bill.
4. Pay Attention to Actual Users (Not Simply Marketers)
Examine unbiased evaluations, user online forums, and Reddit threads. Take note of actual user experience– not simply slick sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trusted, easy to use platform to run your service, I’ve examined a bunch. Here are a couple of I ‘d really suggest:.
Keap— My current go-to. Powerful automations, solid assistance, and it simply works. Worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for services that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one option for little to mid-sized companies with strong reporting devices.
Monday.com— Superb for job monitoring, team partnership, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Particularly fantastic for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel may work for some. But also for me? It was an aggravating, costly experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, asking yourself whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s actually not operating in your existing setup. Don’t melt your systems down just because something newer and shinier appeared.
Stick to what works. Your sanity (and your clients) will thank you.