If you’re interested in making money online, you might have come across Iman Gadzhi’s Agency Navigator. According to Iman, starting a digital marketing agency is a fantastic way to establish a successful business. One of the great things about running a digital marketing agency is the freedom it offers. You get to work with any type of client, provide any service, charge clients as you please, and work as much or as little as you want.
But with so many online scams out there, it’s understandable to wonder if Iman’s course is worth the investment. As one of Iman’s students, I’m in a good position to share my thoughts on the program.
By the end of this review, I’ll also share an alternative program that’s helped me generate a full-time passive income online. So let’s get started and find out if Agency Navigator is right for you.
Table of Contents
- What is Agency Navigator?
- Who is Iman Gadzhi?
- How does Agency Navigator help you make money?
- Is Agency Navigator a scam?
- Agency Navigator Course Breakdown
- The Agency Navigator Fast Track
- Agency Navigator Tools and Resources
- How much does Agency Navigator cost?
- Any Upsells?
- Refund Policy
- Who is Agency Navigator for?
- Praise for Agency Navigator
- Criticism of Agency Navigator
- Agency Navigator Reviews and Complaints
- 3 Reasons Why I Quit My Digital Agency Business
- Is Agency Navigator worth it?
- Is there a better way to make money online?
The Agency Navigator program teaches students the basics of starting a digital marketing agency.
Iman Gadzhi, who started his own business, says that the course is the best place to learn everything he knows about digital marketing. Unlike his previous SMMA course, Agency Navigator is now accessible to absolute newbies, making it easier for anyone to get started.
The program claims to show you how to start your own digital marketing company that earns more than $10,000 a month by offering services like:
- Paid Traffic from Google, Facebook, etc.
- Origination of Material
- Optimization of Conversion Rate
- Email Marketing
- Social Media Management
Does Agency Navigator do what it is supposed to do?
In some respects, it does. But in the end, it’s up to you.
The lessons are divided into eight modules, starting with the basics and moving on to more advanced topics. The program also includes a community, weekly Q&A calls, and a wealth of other tools and resources to help you succeed.
But let’s be clear, Agency Navigator can only do so much. While it provides you with the necessary tools and resources to build your agency, it’s ultimately up to you to put in the hard work and time required. Like any other course or program, it tells you what to do, but it can’t do it for you.
To build a digital marketing agency, you need to put in a lot of hard work and time.
Even though a program like Agency Navigator makes it easier, it’s still hard.
Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative
Who is Iman Gadzhi?
Iman Gadzhi is a Russian and English-speaking entrepreneur, businessman, digital marketer, content creator, fitness fan, social media influencer, and celebrity. On January 3, 2000, he was born in Dagestanskiye Ogni, South Russia. He will be 22 years old in 2022.
Iman Gadzhi is best known for his Gents Croquet Club. Gadzhi is also the founder of GrowYourAgency.com, a website that assists people who are just starting out in business but lack experience in becoming self-employed. Iman is pleased to be the owner of the companies listed above.
His father left before Iman was born because he was an alcoholic and a bad person. Iman was brought up by his mother. He and his mother had to live in poverty following the fall of the Soviet Union. When his mother decided to marry his stepfather, he followed her to London, England.
His mother and stepfather divorced, which was disastrous for him. He needed to work in order to support his family. He began earning 300 pounds per month as a club owner. He briefly worked for a company called AFLETE, where he was paid £1,500 per month. Then he dropped out of high school to pursue a career.
In 2019, he announced GrowYourAgency.com to the entire world. This was the beginning of Iman’s incredible success as a business owner.
Iman Gadzhi’s YouTube channel, Iman Gadzhi, has over 4.81 million subscribers. He also has 576k Instagram followers (@imangadzhi), 285.8k Twitter followers (@GadzhiIman), and 31k Facebook fans (Iman Gadzhi).
Iman has also contributed to Six Figure SMMA and Agency Incubator, both of which have since closed and been replaced by Agency Navigator.
He also runs his own agency and has worked with clients such as Oura Ring, Kevin Rose, IKNK, and AJ&Smart.
Finally, I’m not sure if Iman owns or is a partner in AgenciFlow, which aims to replace tools like Slack, Asana, and Simple Invoices.
Agency Navigator teaches you how to find leads for businesses that are having difficulties attracting customers.
The course covers a variety of methods for finding potential clients, including social media, Facebook ads, funnels, and lead generation. The focus is on paid traffic in the short term, but in the long term, you’ll learn how to use SEO and content marketing to your advantage.
The course is designed for beginners, and according to the creator, Iman, you can start finding clients in as little as two weeks. The three-tier client system that the course teaches is a simple and effective way to organize your business.
The goal is to find customers who will pay between $1,000 and $3,000 per month (fish), between $3,000 and $8,000 a month (shark), or $8,000+ per month (whale).
Iman said you don’t need a lot of clients to make a good income, and the websites are easy to create and manage.
Does it sound too good to be true? Keep reading to find out more.
I’m not going to say Agency Navigator is a scam. But as a student who recently joined the training program, I’m starting to doubt the promises they’re making and whether the whole thing is legit.
At first, I was hooked by their marketing and success stories from Iman Gadzhi. The idea of quickly building up a digital marketing agency and becoming financially independent sounded amazing.
But after dropping $1,499 and diving into the content, my excitement has faded, replaced by growing skepticism.
I expected a lot for that kind of money, like insider tips and tools you can’t find anywhere else. But as I went through the lessons, I realized a bunch of it was stuff I could’ve found for cheaper or even free online. It was disappointing and made me wonder if it was worth the cash.
And they’re always pushing Gadzhi’s other stuff, like AgenciFlow, which feels more like a sales pitch than actual teaching. It’s like they care more about getting you to spend more money than actually helping you learn.
The community and support they promised aren’t all that great either. Yeah, there’s a community, but the support feels shallow, like they’re just trying to keep up a good image instead of dealing with real issues students like me are facing.
Gadzhi made it sound like running a digital agency would be a breeze. But in reality, it’s way more complicated than just following a few steps. The big gap between what they promised and what it’s really like has left me feeling tricked.
Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative
Agency Navigator includes 8 modules with over 50 hours of video material. There are nearly 70 videos, and there is a PDF file for each video.
Most of the videos were shot in 4K and lasted between 30 and 60 minutes.
Below is an overview of each module:
Module 1 – Laying The Foundation
This first module explains the business model for you. It breaks down the business model and illustrates how it works in an easy-to-understand way.
It also gives you access to useful resources such as the latest strategies, the tools you need to start your agency, and a guide to help you find the most profitable niches.
Module 2 – Mindset Mastery
Much like other online money-making courses, this one includes advice on how to develop the right frame of mind before you start. The mental preparation provided by this module is comprehensive.
Module 3 – Systems and Processes
In this module, you will learn all the legal processes associated with your agency business. You will be trained in taxation, accounting, business organization, and costing, as well as how to bill for your services.
The majority of this module is dedicated to discussing cost-effective pricing strategies. In addition, you will learn how to communicate and negotiate with your clients to show that you mean business.
Module 4 – Finding Leads and Negotiating Meetings
The focus here is on attracting potential new customers to your business. Good lead generation strategies, including cold calling, automated messaging systems, and many others, are covered.
Free and paid traffic strategies are discussed and their applicability to other types of online businesses.
Module 5 – Sales Mastery
Since the success of your business depends on your customers’ purchases, sales skills are essential. After all, you want to convince your customers to hire you.
Fortunately, Iman has provided you with a passable sales script that you can use. All you need to do is tailor it to your specific needs.
Sales is a highly competitive field, and rejections are commonplace. But it’s not the end of the world if you get rejected. You will also gain the skills necessary to communicate effectively with a customer, which is essential to maintaining positive business relationships.
You will have the opportunity to work through case studies that illustrate the types of sales strategies that have proven successful in the past.
Module 6 – Top 1% Service Delivery
This section is the heart of the entire program. You will learn everything from the basics of how to provide quality service to your clients to the advanced skills of generating leads and securing quality projects.
You’ll learn about sales funnels, Facebook ad campaigns, and copywriting, all of which can boost your business.
Module 7 – Operational Supremacy
This module explores Iman’s methods for optimizing revenue streams and building a high-performing team for business success.
You should know by now that it takes more than one person to run an agency. You need a group of people who can work for you and get things done in a way that makes your clients want to hire you again. Your group should be made up of highly competent people in whom you have complete confidence that they will accomplish any task assigned to them.
Building relationships with other companies and gaining referrals for your own company are covered in this module.
Module 8 – Exclusive Bonuses
Supplemental resources are included in these bonuses. For access to these, you must be a paid member. There are bonuses like this one in every other course.
This six-phase immersion is designed to get you up to speed in record time with six weekly masterclasses.
So what’s covered in the program? The six stages are:
- Selecting a service and a niche
- Developing a winning mindset
- Attracting and retaining clients
- Finding new prospects
- Closing sales
- Delivering excellent service.
Each stage is covered in a real-time Zoom call masterclass, and you’ll be given homework to complete between sessions to help you stay on track.
And that’s not all! Every week, you’ll get a new mission to complete with the support of your fellow students and coaches. It’s a great way to stay engaged and motivated throughout the program.
If you’re short on time, don’t worry – there’s an accelerated program available too! It’s a condensed version of the full course, but still covers all the essential material.
Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative
1. Tools
First off, there’s an impressive list of tools that come with the course. These tools are designed to help you with financial planning, lead generation, outreach, and client revenue calculations. Some of the tools include the Financial Planner, the Lifetime Value Calculator, and the Outreach Tracker, just to name a few.
2. Weekly Q&A
Iman Gadzhi also offers weekly live Q&A sessions as well as a library of previous Q&A recordings. This is a great opportunity to ask questions, get feedback, and learn from others who are also taking the course.
3. Plug and Play
If you need some help with the technical side of things, the course also includes “plug and play” tutorials and templates for tasks like setting up email and LinkedIn accounts, creating a content schedule, and conducting niche research. These resources are designed to save you time and help you get up and running quickly.
4. Agency Navigator Community
Finally, there’s the Agency Navigator community. This is a forum-based community that’s built right into the platform. The posts are structured into categories or channels, so it’s easy to find what you’re looking for. This is a great place to connect with other students, share ideas, and get feedback on your work.
Agency Navigator is not cheap. It costs $1499, which is definitely overpriced. There are many other better courses that are cheaper but of high quality.
Here is how the original costs were broken down:
- Agency Navigator – $1,499
- Agency Navigator Fast-Track – $3000
The teaching quality of Agency Navigator is not better than others, so it doesn’t justify a higher price. If you are just starting out, you shouldn’t invest a thousand dollars on something that hasn’t proven to work.
Any Upsells?
If you’ve already achieved success with Iman Gadzhi’s Agency Navigator course, you might be interested in taking your agency to the next level with APEX. While it’s not technically an upsell, joining APEX is the next step you’ll likely be encouraged to take.
But don’t worry, there’s no need to stress about high-pressure sales tactics. I haven’t heard of anyone feeling like they were being pushed into joining APEX.
APEX is designed for those who have already made progress with Agency Navigator and are ready to take things to the next level. According to Iman, the goal is to get everyone into APEX because it means you’ve achieved success and are making money with your agency. The more Agency Navigator success stories there are, the more APEX members there will be.
While Agency Navigator aims to help you reach a monthly income of $10,000, APEX’s objective is to take you even further and help you achieve $100,000 monthly.
Refund Policy
There is a 14-day money-back guarantee if you don’t like Agency Navigator.
But I’m not sure if it is still no-questions-asked or not. Most likely, there might be some conditions to meet in order to get a refund.
For example, you might be requested to show that you have taken action and prove it doesn’t work, which is not possible in reality.
Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative
This course offers a wealth of expertise and value that can help you achieve your goals. But, it’s important to note that this course isn’t for everyone.
Personality is key.
In an ideal world, every opportunity would be suitable for everyone. However, in the real world, starting a digital marketing agency requires a high level of self-initiative and confidence. If you have these qualities, then Agency Navigator might be a perfect fit for you. On the other hand, if you’re a quiet introvert who dislikes talking to people and doesn’t have that persistent “go-getter mindset,” you might struggle. Even if you have the right mindset, being an introvert who prefers keeping to themselves might mean that Agency Navigator isn’t the best choice for you.
Sales can be daunting.
Building an agency involves sales, and this can be daunting. But, the good news is that Agency Navigator’s mindset training and accountability structure can help you overcome these challenges. However, those who are outgoing and charismatic are more likely to succeed in this field. It’s also best for people who are unaffected by rejection.
Age matters.
Agency Navigator is best suited to a younger audience. Iman and his team are young and relatable to that demographic. This doesn’t mean that those who are older can’t benefit from the course, but be aware that there is a “boys club” type feel to it.
Consider your budget.
If you’re on a tight budget and can barely cover your groceries or rent, then investing in Agency Navigator might not be the best option. While the course is excellent, and you could earn your money back through your agency, it might take several months or more. You must prioritize eating and keeping a roof over your head.
1. Built-in community
One of the best things about Agency Navigator is that it’s not just a typical Facebook group where people share random thoughts and comments. Instead, it has its own built-in platform where members can interact and engage with each other. This means that you can connect with other like-minded individuals who are also on the same journey as you and learn from their experiences.
2. Many tools and resources
Another great thing about Agency Navigator is that it offers a wide range of tools and resources to help you get started. These include templates, checklists, and even access to Iman’s own team of professionals who can help you with anything you need.
3. Comprehensive training for running ads
If you’re looking to start a digital marketing agency, then you need to know how to run and test ads effectively. The good news is that Agency Navigator offers comprehensive training on this topic, so you can learn the ins and outs of digital marketing and start attracting clients.
4. 1-on-1 coaching
Iman and his team are committed to helping you succeed in your digital marketing agency journey. That’s why the course includes coaching and accountability, so you have someone to guide you along the way and keep you accountable. This shows that they truly care about your success and want to help you achieve your goals.
5. Weekly Q&A
Finally, Agency Navigator offers a weekly Q&A session where you can ask Iman and his team any questions you have about the course or digital marketing in general. This is a great opportunity to get personalized feedback and guidance on your journey.
1. Running an agency is more demanding than advertised
Starting an agency can take a significant amount of time and money to build a brand and get customers. Therefore, it is important to have realistic expectations and be prepared for the workload.
2. Not suitable for experienced digital marketers
The course is not tailored to experienced digital marketers who want to start an agency. If you have no experience in delivering digital marketing services, you may struggle to provide value to clients.
3. Overpriced
The course is expensive and may not be affordable for everyone. There are cheaper alternatives available that offer similar content.
4. Success is not guaranteed
While Iman Gadzhi claims that his course will help you make $10K per month, building an agency is not a simple process. It takes hard work, dedication, and perseverance to achieve success.
5. Expensive upsell
Once you reach the $10K per month mark, you will be encouraged to join a more expensive program called APEX, which focuses on growing your agency from $10K per month to $100K per month and beyond. It is important to consider whether this is a worthwhile investment for you and your business.
Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative
To get an idea about what Iman’s programs are like, we can look at reviews that might not be specifically about Agency Navigator. For instance, we found a review on Reddit that’s worth noting. Although the reviewer didn’t explicitly mention Agency Navigator, they did mention that it’s a comprehensive course that corrects many of the drawbacks of Iman’s previous courses.
However, the reviewer did point out that the outreach and service delivery aspects of the course are not as in-depth as the ads training. It’s worth considering this opinion because the reviewer seems to have real-world experience running an agency.
That being said, there are certain aspects of running an agency that no course can teach you. You just have to do it. Making mistakes, repeating the process, and making improvements along the way is how you learn.
As for the Reddit review and the fact that many people in the community may not have the necessary skills to run an agency, this is true for most programs, not just Agency Navigator.
The challenge is that the experts are often busy running their own businesses. But if you spend some time in those communities, you’ll eventually discover who the experts are.
3 Reasons Why I Quit My Digital Agency Business
When I joined Agency Navigator in 2022, I was trying to set up a digital marketing agency. However, I soon gave up the idea. The reason isn’t that I’m not persistent; I’ve worked in affiliate marketing and ecommerce before and found success. In my experience, however, it is important to stop loss when the business model doesn’t work.
The following are some reasons why I don’t think Iman can help you build a profitable marketing agency:
1. Intense Competition
One of the primary reasons why starting a digital marketing agency may not be advisable is the intense competition in the industry. With tens of thousands of agencies competing for clients and attention, setting yourself apart from the rest is critical. This requires extensive prospecting, delivering better results to current clients, investing in advertising, and growing your team to scale your business.
All of these come at significant expenses that can take a toll on your agency’s profitability. As a result, it can be challenging to succeed in this crowded space, and even established agencies need to continually innovate to stay relevant.
2. Expensive Ad Costs
Another significant issue facing digital marketing agencies is the rise in advertising costs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As businesses scrambled to create an online presence, paid traffic became necessary, leading to a surge in ad costs. In 2021, as the economy recovered, more advertisers joined the fray, driving up ad costs even further.
For example, Meta’s (previously Facebook) CPM increased by 61% annually, Google’s display CPM by 75%, and TikTok’s CPM by a staggering 185% per year. While TikTok remains the cheapest ad platform, the costs are increasing rapidly, making it essential to monitor your campaigns carefully and adjust your budget accordingly.
3. Challenges in Building a Team
The course fails to prepare students for the significant challenge of assembling the initial team for their agency. Building a successful agency requires a diverse team of at least 5-6 people with a range of skills, including strategic planning, customer service, visual design, copywriting, content development, social media expertise, and website development.
However, this team comes at a high cost, including employee salaries, office rent, equipment, software, subscriptions, and more. This high overhead cost can make it challenging for students to consistently close and hold more than $60,000 in fees per month, leading to the failure of their agency.
No, I don’t recommend Agency Navigator. Sure, the course has some decent tips and tricks, but nothing is really explained in-depth, and the training isn’t comprehensive enough to help you build a kick-ass marketing agency business.
And get this: the course isn’t cheap either! And the worst part is, they don’t even tell you about all the extra costs you’ll have to pay for, like building your sales funnel and running multiple Facebook ads.
I mean, don’t get me wrong, being an online marketing agent can be pretty rewarding. But you gotta be ready for a lot of rejection, trust me on this one.
If you’re just starting out and looking for a part-time gig, there are way better options out there than this. And if you already have a full-time job, forget about it. This ain’t the solution for you.
Honestly, I think this is why you won’t find a lot of “real” success stories or positive reviews about Agency Navigator on TrustPilot.
Is there a better way to make money online?
If you don’t want to waste your time or risk your hard-earned money, you might wonder if there is a better business model that doesn’t need Facebook ads and can do it as a side hustle.
Yes, I would suggest you get started with affiliate marketing. It is far easier and less time-consuming as you don’t even need to handle customer service.
In affiliate marketing, you can run your business almost with zero cost. Most importantly, you don’t need to invest in creating and developing any products.
But How Much Can You Earn in Affiliate Marketing?
A 21-year-old student from my #1 recommended training platform of affiliate marketing was able to earn $7,395 in just 1 week, which means he made more than $1k a day…all while using free traffic methods and affiliate marketing.
Wealthy Affiliate has existed for more than 10 years and there are many success stories over the years.
Where to Join Wealthy Affiliate?
Wealthy Affiliate has a very simple pricing scheme. It has a free and premium membership.
If you want to feel about Wealthy Affiliate, you can sign up for the starter membership here (no credit card required). You can select to be a free member with no time limit.
And as a starter member, you can get instant access to the community, live chat, over 500 training modules, 2 classrooms, networking, commenting, 1 free website, and access to the keyword tool.
Anthony Smith is an internet entrepreneur. He created the Side Hustle Ideas Database to help people find side hustles for making extra money, with the potential of turning into a full-time income.
After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania with a business degree, he gained business experience at a consulting firm. At the same time, he tried various side hustles including freelance writing, blogging, and eCommerce. He managed to turn his side hustles into a full-time business, earning over $3 million. Now, he enjoys financial freedom and travels around the world as a digital nomad.