So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you’ve seen the beautiful testimonials. Heard about the all-in-one magic. Review exactly how it could replace your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (sort of) GoHighLevel For Personal Trainers.
I get it. The promise is appealing: one effective control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the concept of improving everything under one roofing system seems like an efficiency desire. Yet let me quit you right there … since I succumbed to the hype. And I wish somebody had actually gotten me by the shoulders and said: “Do not do it.”
In this post, I’m walking you through my rollercoaster of a ride with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic beginnings to a total 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the switch, read this very first. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever get that itch for something new? Like when your preferred set of footwear instantly really feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I would certainly been using Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– five, to be exact. And truthfully, it functioned terrific.
I mean, Keap managed every little thing: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the method I ran my business. Certain, it had not been perfect, but it was reliable. Like a good 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 eyeing the showy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Because of glossy object disorder. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you recognize specifically what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are buzzing concerning a “game-changer,” you start asking yourself if you’re losing out. And prior to I understood it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demos and thinking, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Price of Switching: What It Actually Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your company’s entire tech pile is ruthless. I wish I might inform you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Below’s a look of what I in fact experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (manually).
- Restore a lots automations from the ground up– things like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, job condition, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Spent close to 40 hours fiddling with settings and testing workflows.
And let’s not fail to remember the mental power it drew out of me. You understand that tired, brain-fried sensation after staring at your display for also long? That was my life for two weeks directly.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will certainly be worth it.” It had not been.
When Everything Started Crumbling
At first, it resembled points were functioning. Automations were shooting. Emails were heading out. Funnels were real-time. I exhaled a little.
After that– mayhem.
One morning I awakened to a problem: 171 e-mails had been sent out to the wrong group of calls. Entirely unnecessary content. 3 days in a row. And not the same individuals either– different batches each time. I was frightened.
I tore via the automation settings, removed and reconstructed sequences, even connected to sustain. Their feedback? “Server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No responsibility. And the e-mails just kept going out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything vital. My audience mattered excessive to take the chance of one more screw-up.
Poor UX = Slow Fatality by Stress
Let me repaint you a photo. You’re trying to fine-tune a workflow. Straightforward task, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in position no one would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even get me started. You have to access 3 different setup panels– scattered across the user interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It seemed like setting up IKEA furniture without guidelines. I intended to love the flexibility, yet every little thing about the user experience made me seem like I required a programmer sitting next to me 24/7.
And this is originating from someone who had actually been running automations and building funnels for several years. If I was having a hard time, I can’t visualize what it resembles for someone simply beginning.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they do not promote clearly: GoHighLevel costs per email you send out with their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little costs that start accumulating. I discovered random $10 costs appearing– after that $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was racking up distribution charges with Mailgun, their e-mail carrier.
So what resembled a budget friendly, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and getting means much less integrity in return.
That felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel For Personal Trainers.
Email Performance Tanked– And That Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any type of type of email marketing, you know how essential deliverability is. You spend years supporting your listing, building depend on, make improvements subject lines. So when your open prices leave a high cliff, it’s like enjoying your hard work obtain flushed down the drain.
That’s specifically what occurred when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open prices dropped from around 35% to barely scuffing 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, verified domains, 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 devices (without much guidance), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
At that point, I could not warrant staying. I disengaged and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not suggest it. Not if you’re looking for something secure, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at risk– your track record, your consumer experience, your bottom line.
But if you’re still curious, a minimum of share your eyes wide open. Examination everything. Do not thoughtlessly trust the hype.
Lessons Found Out (So You Don’t Repeat My Errors).
Below’s the truth nobody tells you when you’re chasing the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s an excellent factor to switch over.
Keap wasn’t flashy, however it was solid. That’s worth greater than any kind of brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity beats intricacy– whenever.
An user-friendly tool that does 80% well is far better than a Monster platform that does 100% badly.
3. Don’t succumb to low prices– look at the genuine expense.
Check out the small print. Inquire about deliverability charges. Know what “endless” truly implies.
4. Keep an eye out for biased reviews.
A great deal of the glowing testimonies around? They’re from affiliates trying to rack up a compensation. Locate individuals with nothing to obtain.
5. Pay attention to your intestine.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re searching for a platform that really works the method it promises, inspect these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Fantastic automation, solid deliverability, and excellent assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with great project administration tools for tiny groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a polished UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— Even more project-focused, however fantastic for client collaboration and task tracking.
Bonsai— Developed for freelancers and creatives. Super clean, extremely structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the answer to everything. And if it functioned perfectly, I ‘d most likely be their most significant cheerleader. However it really did not. And I can’t make believe or else.
So prior to you dive into a major movement– or worse, persuade your customers to do the very same– take a breath. Ask the hard concerns. And consider whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world compromises.
You’ve worked also difficult to build something great. Do not risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my two cents? Stick with tools that just work.