10 Reasons Rank and Rent is Better than an AI Automation or GoHighLevel Agency

1. Rank and rent is easier to sell while AI automation agencies face greater resistance from potential clients

Rank and rent sales are often low friction

Rank and rent websites are easy to sell because you can provide a trial period of your leads and start prospects on commission deals instead of retainers.

Rank and rent entails first ranking websites and generating leads before pitching potential prospects on paying you. You generate leads in advance so that you can use those leads to land clients by letting them experience the value of the leads for free. Free trials are one of the most effective sales tactics. A recent study with Alibaba that assessed over 55,000 free samples being distributed found that providing a free sample increased purchase likelihood by 45% for online purchases.

This is especially powerful when paired with my whisper message tactic for sending clients free leads. Rather than contacting them first, I often just set up a whisper message on my call tracking software and forward the lead directly to my prospect. The prospect hears “this lead came from Ippei” before they are connected with the lead that is calling my call tracking phone number. After I send them a few of these calls, they are already warmed up to talk with me and more ready to make a deal than if I were to have just cold called them.

Once your prospect is warmed up from the free leads, then you can easily close them on a commission deal. Commission deals are performance-based so it removes the risk that your client can lose money from the arrangement. Typically, you can coordinate a commission deal of 5-10% of revenue or 15-20% of profit. Once you’ve proven that your rank and rent website can provide consistent business to your client, you can try to switch to a flat-fee retainer model where they pay you $500-$3,000/month for the leads. However, I’m starting to keep many of my high-ticket clients on commission deals because it can be more lucrative.

Here is one of my websites that I’m keeping on a commission deal. Thousand Oaks Elite ADU Builder generated a $236,560 additional dwelling unit lead for my client. My client's profit was $30,000 and I earned a 15% commission on that of $4,500.

Selling AI automation requires proof of performance

AI automation services can be difficult to sell as a beginner without case studies or previous client testimonials.

It took one AI automation agency with two founders 4 months to land their first client paying just $250/month.

Even experienced AI automation agencies can have trouble selling the service because it doesn’t always provide a clear ROI to the business. There certainly are AI automations that can help increase a business’s revenue potential, such as a bot that automatically follows up with leads right after they call. In fact, missed-call text back automation is one of the most common services for GoHighLevel agencies. However, many AI automations focus on factors other than revenue like reducing the business's expenses or reducing work for the business owner. While these automations can be useful, they aren’t as easy to sell as services that show a clear connection to increasing revenue.

2. Rank and rent is a repeatable process while AI automation often requires custom solutions

You can follow a consistent blueprint to build rank and rent websites

Building rank and rent websites follows an expected series of steps that includes performing due diligence, getting your domain, building the website, and using SEO to rank it. These steps remain pretty much the same no matter which niche and location you target.

This is especially true for members of my rank and rent program who get access to my step-by-step training, templates, and no-code website builder to reliably and efficiently create these digital assets.

As one of my students says, with rank and rent you just need to trust the process.

AI automations often don’t have a consistent setup between different businesses

AI automations often require custom implementations because tech stacks vary between each individual business. There are more simple AI automations, like setting up Google Review automation with GoHighLevel, that are implemented the same because you just add the infrastructure on top of a business’s existing systems.

However, there are also more advanced AI automations that need to be integrated within a businesses current systems. These types of automations don’t usually have a consistent process that you can follow. Rather, they require you to analyze a business’s current technology and understand where AI automations can improve their business and which tools you should use to make these enhancements.

Here is one AI automation agency owner trying to create an AI sales automation system for a UK cleaning company asking for help on Reddit because they aren’t sure how to build the system.

3. Rank and rent websites are simple to set up while AI automations can be technically complex

Rank and rent websites can be built with no-code tools like WordPress and Wix

Rank and rent websites can be built with drag-and-drop website builders, allowing even those who aren’t technically savvy to be successful with the online business model.

In my rank and rent program, I teach my students how to set these websites up with the right pages and content to rank at the top of Google. I’ve even created my own website builder as part of my all-in-one rank and rent platform . My drag-and-drop website builder also comes with ready-made templates so you can build these sites efficiently and start making money online.

Here is one of my students recommending another student use my website builder because of its simplicity.

With my website builder and AI content writer tool , I can put up a new rank and rent website in approximately 10-15 hours. Here is one of my sites that I created using my custom rank and rent website builder. Los Angeles Custom Railing recently generated a $7,560 custom railing job and I earned a $375 commission.

AI automations often require an advanced understanding of technology

Many AI automation agency owners come from a technical background because setting up custom automations requires knowledge of business systems and technology.

For example, this person starting an AI automation agency is coming from 3.5 years working as a software engineer at a major multinational corporation.

This other Reddit user starting an AI automation agency mentions building a custom automation to help a Japanese company process complex Google Ads invoices.

In response, another AI automation agency owner mentions that while the particular AI automation is clever, it might not be optimal for enterprise clients.

This exchange highlights how running an AI automation agency requires more than technical skills. You also need to understand business operations to determine which solutions are practical and appropriate for each individual client.

4. Rank and rent prevents client churn while AI automation agencies often experience turnover

Rank and rent clients can’t fire you without losing your leads

With rank and rent, you own the asset that generates value, which prevents clients from easily churning because they would lose access to your leads if they were to fire you. This leads to long-term engagements that can last many years.

I’ve had one of my rank and rent clients, a tree service provider in Michigan, for over 11 years already. They have been paying me $2,000/month since 2015 and I’ve barely touched the site over the years. That’s over $240,000 from one website in passive income.

AI automation agencies can struggle to retain clients after setup

Many AI automation agencies charge a one-time setup fee rather than a monthly retainer. Although the money from these setups can be solid, it means that you need to find new clients every month.

AI automation agencies can also charge a recurring monthly fee or a combination of setup fee and recurring retainer. The recurring monthly retainer is common for GoHighLevel automation agencies.

For example, Kai Stone of Stonescaling charges his clients around $300 for an AI-generated website and simple automations like missed-call textback and Google review automation. Although these things can provide value, they often don’t provide enough value to keep a client long-term. AI-generated websites don’t rank well on Google to actually drive leads and aspects like Google review automation only work if the client uses the system. The client needs to use the LeadConnector app to manage their business operations or they won’t stick around long.

In response to a Reddit user asking about starting a white-label GoHighLevel agency for roofers, a responder mentions high churn because many service business owners just don’t use the systems.

5. Rank and rent creates long-term assets while AI automation often provides short-term income

Rank and rent websites can produce passive income for years

Rank and rent websites leverage SEO to rank on Google and can remain ranking long-term, often with minimal updates. Although local SEO takes 3 - 6 months of work to see traction, once a website is ranking in Google’s algorithm it can remain ranking there indefinitely. If the website keeps ranking, it can keep generating leads that you can continue selling to your local business partner.

Here is one of my websites that has been making money for over a year. Glendale Elite Hardwood Flooring recently generated a $15,450 hardwood flooring lead on which I earned a commission of $360.

AI automation clients usually don’t continue paying over a long time horizon

AI automation engagements are often one-time setups or typically churn within a year if set up on retainer. As such, they generally don’t continue paying dividends over the long run after you invest in the setup.

However, long-term income potential might depend on where you’re selling AI automation services. One UK AI automation agency owner on Reddit says that their US clients have a 6-month average retention while their UK clients last 18 months on average.

6. Rank and rent partnerships are more resilient during economic downturns while AI automation agencies face greater uncertainty

Rank and rent websites typically keep paying during recessions

Rank and rent websites add revenue to a business so it’s not one of the costs a business owner will usually look to cut. This is especially true with commission-based rank and rent deals. Performance-based rank and rent deals are always a net positive to a business because you only make money when the business owner makes money. If you’re on a flat fee deal that isn’t producing enough work for the business owner during a period, you can always move to a commission-based payment to avoid losing the client.

I operated my rank and rent business through the Covid-19 recession. Although there were a few adjustments I had to make, I successfully retained my clients through the period.

AI automation agency services that don’t drive revenue are easy cost cuts for struggling businesses

AI automations that support revenue growth can survive difficult periods, but those that focus on operational efficiency likely won’t. Business owners can justify paying for anything that is a net positive to their business, like an AI automation that costs $100/month but supports $500/month in additional sales. However, costs that just save time or make the business run more smoothly don’t make sense if the business is losing money because of those expenses.

Here is a small business owner complaining about ongoing subscription costs. Even when the subscription is low, it’s not always worth the cost.

7. Rank and rent clients are growth-focused while AI automation agency clients can be cost-conscious

Business owners that partner with rank and rent websites are usually hungry to expand their revenue potential

Rank and rent clients are growth focused. In my opinion, these are the types of people that you want to do business with if your goal is to make as much money as possible. This aligns with that popular saying that you’re the average of the five people you spend the most time with. If you spend time and work with people that are actively seeking to improve their financial position, you’re more likely to improve your own.

A 2022 study by Nature that analyzed 21 billion Facebook friendships to understand social connections and economic mobility supports this idea. The study found that people earn approximately 20% more money when they spend time in communities of higher-income people than lower income people.

I’ve seen this play out in my own rank and rent business. One of my clients is a major general contractor that serves Los Angeles. I’m making over $15,000/month just from this one client because I’ve built a portfolio of rank and rent websites just for them.

Beverly Hills Elite Custom Cabinets is one of those sites. It recently generated a $17,780 custom cabinet job and I got paid a commission of $400 for the lead.

AI automation services can attract cost-conscious clients

Businesses often invest in AI automation to reduce operating costs and improve efficiency rather than directly increase revenue. As a result, AI automation agencies may attract more cost-conscious clients who prioritize optimizing their existing operations over expanding their businesses.

An AI automation agency owner on Reddit mentions many of the business owners he talks to only care about how many hours you can save them.

8. Rank and rent requires minimal client onboarding while AI automation agencies have more extensive setup processes

Starting a rank and rent partnership is simple

Rank and rent clients don’t need extensive hand-holding to start working with you because you operate mostly outside of their systems. Once they’ve agreed to partner with you, there’s often little to do besides getting them to sign an agreement and just setting up your leads to forward to them.

One additional onboarding piece I do with my commission-based rank and rent clients is to set up a tracking system for leads. With some that means connecting my call tracking system with their CRM. For others that is just creating a simple Google Sheet where we can both keep track of jobs and payments.

Here is a spreadsheet for one of my clients that we use to track commission payments.

AI automation requires more advanced onboarding

AI automation agencies implement automation technologies into a business’s existing systems so the business model requires more comprehensive onboarding to access systems and teach them how to use the automation.

That means collecting logins or getting added as a user to CRMs, CMSs, and other software. You also need to teach a business how to access and use the new systems that you’re adding to their business.

Even simple GoHighLevel automation agencies require this level of onboarding. For example, one of the most common GoHighLevel services is Google Review automation where you have a business owner enter the phone number of their customer into your system that sends text message reminders to leave a Google Review. I’ve previously set this up for some SEO clients I’ve had in the past.

This requires buying a tracking phone number and registering it with A2P to be able to send automated text messages in the US. Getting a number approved for A2P requires business details like an EIN tax ID number, legal name, and business type. You need to collect all of these details from the business owner before you can set up their account. Once everything is set up, you still need to teach the business owner how to use the Lead Connector app and review automation system.

9. Rank and rent has relatively stable competition while AI automation agencies face an increasingly saturated market

Rank and rent has a higher barrier to entry

Rank and rent requires more advanced SEO skills so the competition has remained less intense than most other online business models. Most of the big players in SEO also go after the most lucrative industries and major cities, leaving plenty of untapped opportunities in subniches and smaller markets.

In my opinion, rank and rent competition has remained steady since I’ve been doing this model for over a decade. That’s because the model requires patience to rank and perseverance if your websites are negatively affected during the Google algorithm updates. I make sure to stay updated on the latest SEO tactics by actively practicing global and local SEO on my portfolio of websites, attending in-person events and private SEO masterminds, and consuming SEO content daily. I use all of this knowledge to constantly update my SEO program so my students are equipped with the latest strategies to succeed with this business model.

Here is one of my students that just landed a massive rank and rent deal that combines a setup fee, flat fee retainer, and a healthy commission on all deals.

AI automation is one of the most promoted online business models right now

AI automation is getting relatively saturated as many people are trying to take advantage of the AI gold rush. This is especially true with low-level GoHighLevel agencies trying to sell local business owners the same automations they learned in a course. There are many GoHighLevel coaches out there like Kai Stone and Jason Wardrop that earn massive affiliate commissions by teaching the GoHighLevel automation agency model. As such, there are tens of thousands of students reaching out to businesses to sell these simple automation services.

The only way to beat the saturation is to niche down and offer a superior experience to a specific industry.

10. Rank and rent is easier to scale independently while AI automation agencies often require additional employees

You can successfully operate a $10,000+/month rank and rent business as a solopreneur

Rank and rent is a great model for a single-person business because you can scale to tens of thousands of dollars a month without hiring a team. This is because when you rank websites on Google, the website can often remain ranking with minimal ongoing work. You may spend 15 hours to set up a website initially and then a few hours a month to maintain it. As such, you have more time to focus on scaling your business by setting up more websites and pitching local business owners.

At some point, it does make sense to hire support if you want to keep scaling, but you can get pretty far through your own effort.

Many AI automation agencies can’t scale without hiring support

AI automation agency owners often hire support to scale past $5,000/month. That’s true for agencies selling advanced custom automations and those selling simple GoHighLevel solutions.

For example, say you sell custom automations for a $2,000 one-time setup and you’re really good at what you do so you complete the project in 40 hours. That’s $50/hour, great money. However, each month you’re starting from $0 because your projects don’t generate recurring income. That means much of your time will actually need to be spent on marketing and sales of your service rather than implementing the service itself.

Same with GoHighLevel agencies. Many GoHighLevel agency coaches recommend selling a service package to local businesses for $297/month. In this scenario, you’d need about 17 paying clients to reach $5,000 per month. Implementing GoHighLevel solutions isn’t the hard part with this model, sales and client retention are. That’s why many GoHighLevel agencies look to hire sales support early.

Rank and rent vs. AI automation agency overview

Learn more about rank and rent vs. AI automation .

How to start a rank and rent business?

1. Find low competition opportunities with search volume
2. Buy website domains
3. Build the rank and rent websites
4. Rank the websites
5. Partner with local business owners

Read my full guide on how to start a rank and rent business .

Conclusion: Should you do rank and rent or AI automation?

You should do rank and rent if you want to build long-term digital assets that generate recurring passive income. Rank and rent is ideal for people who prefer a repeatable business model, want to work independently, and are willing to invest time in SEO before earning money. It's also a great option if you want to scale your income without managing a large team.

You should start an AI automation agency if you have strong technical skills, enjoy solving complex business problems, and prefer working directly with clients. AI automation is better suited for people who don't mind developing custom solutions, handling ongoing maintenance, and consistently acquiring new customers.

I prefer rank and rent because I can own the assets that generate my income instead of relying entirely on client service work. If you want to start a rank and rent business, consider my rank and rent program to streamline your success.