Why I simplified my online platforms and switched to Systeme.io (from Podia, Zapier & Mailerlite)

Feb 27, 2025

As a documentary family photographer who has grown into the online education space, I want to share my journey of switching from Podia, Zapier and MailerLite to Systeme.io. Whether you’re just starting your online business or looking to improve your existing systems, I think you’ll find my experience helpful.

(Quick heads up – the links in this post are affiliate links. If you end up giving Systeme.io a try, I’d be super grateful if you used them! It helps support my business at no extra cost to you.)

The messy reality of using multiple platforms

Let me paint you a picture of my previous setup. I was using Podia for my course platform and MailerLite’s free plan for my email marketing. Sounds simple enough, right? Well, not quite.

I had to use Zapier to connect these platforms, and let me tell you – it wasn’t exactly smooth sailing. The integration was finicky at best, and there was always this awkward situation with student subscriptions. Sometimes people would end up on my mailing list without explicitly agreeing to it (yikes!), which made me uncomfortable from a privacy standpoint.

Why I needed a change

As a photographer sending weekly newsletters and running an online course business, I needed something that could handle both worlds without breaking the bank. When Podia changed their pricing to charge extra for email features, I knew it was time to explore other options.

Here’s the thing – when I first started this side of my business, I couldn’t justify spending hundreds on expensive course platforms like Kajabi or Kartra. I mean, who knows if this whole online education thing would even work out, right? (Spoiler alert: it did!)

Enter Systeme.io: the all-in-one platform I didn’t know existed

What really caught my attention about Systeme.io wasn’t just the price point (though that definitely helped!). It was how many features they packed into one platform:

Email marketing (perfect for my weekly newsletters)
Course hosting (I could have it all under one roof?)
Funnel building (something that was missing in Podia)
Webinar capabilities (more expensive but still less than other platforms)
Bookable calendar (new feature added after I signed up)
Affiliate marketing system (I can easily have affiliates, something that wasn’t even on my radar)
Digital AND physical product sales
Deadline features (hello, urgency!)
Strong automation workflows

And the best part? They keep adding new features all the time!

The migration process (and what I wish I’d known)

Systeme.io knows how to convert anyone who signs up for their free plan: they offer a free migration with their yearly paid plans.

I know that anyone who has an existing business (and especially if they’re a solo-preneur) would rather pay more money rather than face migrating all of their data to a new tool. It’s a fact. Migrating anything is just… a complete nightmare. It’s like moving houses while running a marathon and trying to keep your customers happy all at the same time. The thought alone makes you want to stick with your current setup, no matter how clunky it might be.

Trust me, I KNOW. (Redoing my website from scratch in 2024 nearly broke me.)

So if you decide after trying it out that Systeme.io is the right tool for you, you can opt for a yearly plan, get 30% off (see below) and their team can migrate your website, your courses, your emails, your funnels FOR FREE.

There is a delay, because it’s all done manually and you do have to give all of your login/passwords, but it was totally worth it to me.

Some tips for a smoother transition:

Prepare your sales page blocks/design in Systeme.io first (and let the migration team know)
Make notes of the past email campaigns you do want to transfer (if any)
Check how many tags/groups/segments you are using and how many are included in your chosen plan (mine had only 10 before I upgraded and I had to make choices!)
Map out your automation workflows
Document your current setup before making the switch

The power of all-in-one

The difference between my old setup and now is night and day. No more Zapier connections needed. No more wondering if my course students are properly tagged in my email system. Everything just… works.

The funnel features have been particularly amazing. I can now create sophisticated marketing sequences that I couldn’t even dream of with my old setup. The deadline features add real urgency to my offers, and the automation capabilities let me focus more on what I love – photography and teaching.

Is Systeme.io right for you?

The Price Factor

Let’s be real – when you’re starting out or scaling your business, every euro counts. What I liked about Systeme.io is that it gave me all-in-one features at a much lower cost than its competitors. You can literally start for free and grow as your business grows. (Although, let’s be real the free plan is more like a free trial.)

Check out Systeme.io monthly plans: Free, Startup ($27/month), Webinar ($47/month) and Unlimited ($97/month)

You can also save 30% on the systeme.io Startup subscription by opting for a yearly plan and pay no extra fees to migrate your business to systeme.io! (See above)

By taking advantage of the annual $228 rate, you’ll save $96 per year (usually $27 / month).

Check out Systeme.io 30% discount offer

Final Thoughts

Looking back, making the switch to Systeme.io was one of the best decisions I’ve made last year. It’s given me the tools to grow my online presence alongside my photography business, without the technical headaches or budget stress of my previous setup.

I’d love to hear about your experiences! Are you using multiple platforms right now? Thinking about making a switch? Drop a comment below and let me know – I’m always excited to chat about this stuff!

P.S. Don’t forget to use my affiliate links above if you decide to give Systeme.io a try. It helps support my business, and I’d be incredibly grateful! 💕