So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you have actually seen the radiant reviews. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Review exactly how it might replace your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (sort of) GoHighLevel For Trainers.
I get it. The assurance is alluring: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the concept of improving every little thing under one roof seems like an efficiency desire. But let me quit you right there … because I fell for the hype. And I wish someone had actually ordered me by the shoulders and said: “Don’t do it.”
In this article, I’m strolling you through my rollercoaster of a ride with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic beginnings to a complete 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the button, read this first. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Considered GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that itch for something new? Like when your favored pair of footwear all of a sudden feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I ‘d been utilizing Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– five, to be exact. And honestly, it worked excellent.
I imply, Keap handled everything: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the way I ran my service. Certain, it had not been perfect, but it was dependable. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, however it gets you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin eyeing the showy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Due to shiny things disorder. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you understand exactly what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are humming regarding a “game-changer,” you begin wondering if you’re missing out. And before I knew it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demos and reasoning, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Rate of Changing: What It Really Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– moving your agency’s entire technology pile is brutal. I want I can inform you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Below’s a glance of what I actually underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (manually).
- Reconstruct a dozen automations from square one– things like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, task standing, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near 40 hours fiddling with setups and screening workflows.
And allow’s not fail to remember the mental power it drew out of me. You recognize that tired, brain-fried feeling after looking at your display for also lengthy? That was my life for two weeks straight.
I told myself, “This pain will be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When It All Began Falling Apart
In the beginning, it appeared like things were working. Automations were firing. Emails were going out. Funnels were online. I exhaled a little.
Then– mayhem.
One morning I awakened to a nightmare: 171 e-mails had actually been sent to the wrong team of contacts. Completely pointless web content. 3 days in a row. And not the same individuals either– different sets each time. I was horrified.
I tore via the automation settings, erased and restored sequences, also connected to sustain. Their action? “Web server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No liability. And the emails simply kept heading out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything vital. My target market mattered excessive to run the risk of one more screw-up.
Negative UX = Slow Fatality by Aggravation
Let me repaint you an image. You’re trying to fine-tune a workflow. Simple task, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in position no one would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even get me started. You have to access three various configuration panels– spread throughout the user interface– to update a single funnel.
It felt like putting together IKEA furnishings without directions. I wished to like the versatility, but whatever regarding the customer experience made me feel like I required a programmer resting alongside me 24/7.
And this is originating from a person who had actually been running automations and building funnels for many years. If I was battling, I can not picture what it resembles for somebody simply getting going.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they do not promote plainly: GoHighLevel charges per email you send via their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are tricky little fees that start accumulating. I saw random $10 costs appearing– then $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was acquiring delivery fees via Mailgun, their email provider.
So what resembled an economical, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing more than I did on Keap– and obtaining way less integrity in return.
That felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel For Trainers.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any kind of sort of email marketing, you understand just how crucial deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your listing, developing trust, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open rates leave a cliff, it’s like watching your hard work get purged down the drain.
That’s exactly what happened when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open prices fell from around 35% to hardly scuffing 10%. I tweaked subject lines, confirmed domain names, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And since GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability tools (without much assistance), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t validate staying. I pulled the plug and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t advise it. Not if you’re looking for something stable, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at risk– your reputation, your consumer experience, your profits.
Yet if you’re still curious, a minimum of go in with your eyes wide open. Test whatever. Do not thoughtlessly rely on the hype.
Lessons Learned (So You Do Not Repeat My Errors).
Here’s the truth no person informs you when you’re chasing the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick to what jobs– unless there’s an excellent reason to change.
Keap had not been fancy, but it was solid. That’s worth greater than any new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats complexity– whenever.
An instinctive tool that does 80% well is better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% badly.
3. Don’t fall for low cost– look at the actual expense.
Check out the small print. Ask about deliverability charges. Know what “unlimited” actually means.
4. Look out for prejudiced evaluations.
A lot of the glowing testimonies available? They’re from associates attempting to score a payment. Discover individuals with nothing to acquire.
5. Pay attention to your intestine.
If something really feels off during your free trial or onboarding phase– do not ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re looking for a platform that in fact functions the way it guarantees, examine these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Remarkable automation, solid deliverability, and wonderful assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with excellent project administration tools for tiny teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a refined UX. Ideal if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— More project-focused, yet terrific for client cooperation and job tracking.
Bonsai— Constructed for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, extremely structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the solution to whatever. And if it worked flawlessly, I ‘d most likely be their biggest cheerleader. But it really did not. And I can’t make believe or else.
So prior to you study a full-scale movement– or even worse, persuade your clients to do the very same– breathe. Ask the tough inquiries. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world compromises.
You’ve functioned too difficult to build something excellent. Don’t risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick to tools that simply work.