So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you have actually seen the beautiful testimonials. Heard about the all-in-one magic. Review exactly how it could change your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (kind of) GoHighLevel For Gyms.
I get it. The promise is appealing: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the idea of simplifying whatever under one roofing system sounds like a productivity desire. However let me stop you right there … because I succumbed to the hype. And I want somebody had actually gotten me by the shoulders and said: “Don’t do it.”
In this article, I’m walking you through my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from confident starts to a full 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the switch, read this very first. It’ll save you time, money, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Considered GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that crave something brand-new? Like when your favorite set of footwear suddenly really feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I ‘d been using Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– five, to be exact. And truthfully, it worked wonderful.
I suggest, Keap handled everything: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the method I ran my organization. Certain, it wasn’t perfect, but it was trusted. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, yet it obtains you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin looking at the showy new Tesla parked next door?
Because of shiny item syndrome. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you recognize precisely what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are humming concerning a “game-changer,” you begin wondering if you’re losing out. And before I recognized it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel trials and reasoning, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Cost of Switching: What It Really Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your company’s whole tech stack is brutal. I want I can tell you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Below’s a look of what I actually experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (by hand).
- Rebuilt a loads automations from square one– things like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, job standing, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near 40 hours fiddling with settings and screening workflows.
And let’s not fail to remember the mental power it sucked out of me. You understand that tired, brain-fried sensation after looking at your display for too long? That was my life for 2 weeks straight.
I informed myself, “This pain will be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When Everything Started Crumbling
In the beginning, it resembled things were working. Automations were firing. Emails were going out. Funnels were online. I breathed out a little.
Then– mayhem.
One early morning I awakened to a problem: 171 emails had been sent to the incorrect team of get in touches with. Totally pointless material. 3 days straight. And not the same individuals either– different sets each time. I was alarmed.
I tore with the automation settings, erased and restored series, also reached out to support. Their action? “Web server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No responsibility. And the emails simply kept heading out like a rogue robot on auto-pilot.
At that point, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything vital. My target market mattered too much to run the risk of another error.
Bad UX = Slow Fatality by Aggravation
Let me repaint you a picture. You’re trying to fine-tune a workflow. Basic job, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that don’t make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in position no one would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me began. You need to gain access to 3 different arrangement panels– scattered throughout the user interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It seemed like putting together IKEA furniture without guidelines. I wanted to like the flexibility, but everything concerning the user experience made me seem like I required a designer resting alongside me 24/7.
And this is originating from someone who ‘d been running automations and constructing funnels for years. If I was having a hard time, I can’t picture what it resembles for a person just getting started.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they don’t market plainly: GoHighLevel fees per e-mail you send out with their platform.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little costs that start piling up. I noticed random $10 fees popping up– after that $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was acquiring delivery costs via Mailgun, their e-mail carrier.
So what looked like an affordable, flat-rate system? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending more than I did on Keap– and obtaining means much less reliability in return.
That felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel For Gyms.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any kind of e-mail marketing, you understand how crucial deliverability is. You spend years supporting your list, constructing trust fund, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open rates drop off a high cliff, it’s like enjoying your hard work get flushed down the tubes.
That’s specifically what occurred when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to hardly scuffing 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, validated domain names, heated up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And because GoHighLevel depends on third-party deliverability tools (without much assistance), I was left playing email live roulette.
Then, I could not warrant staying. I ended and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I wouldn’t advise it. Not if you’re trying to find something secure, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at stake– your track record, your client experience, your bottom line.
However if you’re still curious, at the very least share your eyes wide open. Test every little thing. Don’t thoughtlessly rely on the hype.
Lessons Discovered (So You Don’t Repeat My Mistakes).
Right here’s the fact no one informs you when you’re chasing after the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s an excellent reason to switch.
Keap had not been fancy, but it was solid. That deserves greater than any new feature.
2. Simpleness beats complexity– every single time.
An intuitive device that does 80% well is far better than a Monster system that does 100% severely.
3. Do not fall for low cost– take a look at the genuine price.
Check out the fine print. Ask about deliverability costs. Know what “unlimited” actually indicates.
4. Look out for biased evaluations.
A great deal of the beautiful endorsements available? They’re from associates trying to score a payment. Locate individuals with nothing to gain.
5. Pay attention to your intestine.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– do not ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re seeking a platform that actually functions the way it assures, examine these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Impressive automation, solid deliverability, and excellent assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with excellent task administration devices for little groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a sleek UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— More project-focused, yet fantastic for customer partnership and job tracking.
Bonsai— Built for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, very streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the answer to whatever. And if it worked faultlessly, I ‘d probably be their biggest cheerleader. But it really did not. And I can’t pretend otherwise.
So prior to you dive into a major movement– or even worse, persuade your clients to do the exact same– take a breath. Ask the difficult concerns. And consider whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually worked too tough to construct something great. Do not risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick to devices that just work.