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Top 5 Mistakes New Whirks Payroll Partners Make and How to Avoid Them

October 15th, 2025 | 6 min. read

By Mike Shaeffer

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Joining the Whirks Network Partner program is an exciting step, but like with most things, it also comes with a learning curve. Most new payroll partners run into the same handful of challenges early on: not enough time for training, resistance to new workflows, missed client improvement opportunities… the list goes on.

These missteps can slow you down, frustrate your clients, and hold back the growth you're aiming for. But with the right plan and support, they’re completely avoidable.

At Whirks, we’ve helped dozens of partners onboard successfully. We know the roadblocks that tend to trip people up in the first few months. And more importantly, we know how to guide you around them.

In this article, we’ll walk you through the five most common mistakes new partners make and how to avoid them. You’ll learn:

  • What kind of time investment really leads to success
  • Why some change is necessary (and good)
  • How to turn transitions into upgrades for your clients
  • Why “starting easy” can actually slow you down
  • And how to price your services confidently from day one

You don’t have to figure this out alone. That's the beauty of this partnership. Let’s look at the lessons others have learned the hard way, so you don’t have to.

Mistake #1: Underestimating the Time Commitment Required

Training might feel like something you’ll figure out as you go, but that mindset is where many new partners get stuck right out of the gate.

The biggest mistake new payroll partners make is not dedicating enough time to master isolved (the platform we use in our Whirks Network Partner program). Your success in the Whirks Partner Network is directly tied to how well your team understands the platform, and that takes more than surface-level training.

This isn't a "check the box" training exercise. It's a serious commitment that will determine whether you build success.

What the Time Commitment Actually Looks Like

Before you start actively transitioning clients, here's what to plan for:

  • 10 hours of initial training
  • 15 hours of hands-on learning and implementation support 

That's about 25 hours total upfront investment in training that pays dividends in smoother client transitions and fewer implementation headaches down the road.

But that's just the baseline. isolved is a comprehensive platform. It's more robust than most payroll systems you've used before. It can feel overwhelming at first, and that's normal. We want you to feel confident processing payroll within our system, which is why we put so much emphasis on training.

How to Avoid This Mistake

Dedicate about five hours per week, per team member, to becoming an expert-level user of isolved. That means taking advantage of isolved University, a flexible library of short, targeted videos, articles, and courses to help you get up to speed at your own pace. Make it your go-to resource to build confidence quickly.

There's a direct correlation between the effort you put in and the success you'll see. Partners who treat training as optional tend to struggle. Partners who take it seriously and commit to it early tend to excel.

Don’t downplay what this takes. The learning curve is real, but it’s manageable when you plan for it. The more you lean in early and commit the right resources, the faster you’ll build confidence and momentum.

Mistake #2: Resisting Change in Processes and Workflows

isolved might not work exactly like the system you're used to, and that’s okay. What matters is getting your clients to the right outcome, even if the path or tools look different.

Expecting isolved to behave like your old system is a fast track to frustration. Many new partners resist these differences. When the interface, buttons, or workflows feel unfamiliar, it can create friction and delay success.

Understanding What "Change" Really Means

Let's say your client has a PTO policy that awards four hours per week to every active employee. The way you set this up in isolved might look different than your old system, but the end result is the same.

Keep in mind that this is a software conversion. At a minimum, the interface and workflows will look and function differently. That's just par to the process, not a sign that something's wrong.

How to Avoid This Mistake

It's important to come into the Whirks partnership with an open mind.

  • Ask yourself: "What outcome does my client need?"
  • Not: "Why doesn't this work like my old system?"

isolved actually offers more functionality and detail than many platforms. Don't look at these differences as roadblocks. They’re tools. And when you learn how to use them, you’ll be able to offer your clients better support than ever before.

Mistake #3: Ignoring Opportunities for Client Improvement

When you transition clients to isolved through the Whirks Network Partner program, you open the door to better ways of doing business. Unfortunately, too often, partners miss the chance to show clients how this change helps them.

The Problem with "Apples to Apples" Thinking

Some partners approach implementation by saying, "Let's keep this simple. We'll just replicate what we're doing now and avoid talking about enhanced features or bells and whistles."

Trying to match your old system feature-for-feature is a missed opportunity.

You're already asking clients to accept a new platform. That can cause some uneasiness. But if all you offer is a one-to-one copy of what they already had, you're missing your chance to turn discomfort into enthusiasm.

“Apples to apples” might feel safe, but your clients deserve an upgrade, not a replica.

How to Avoid This Mistake

Reframe the conversation. 

Instead of just announcing a change, say: "We're upgrading platforms. And as part of that, you'll now have access to tools like electronic onboarding, which can save you time and reduce errors."

Use this transition moment to introduce automation and process improvements, such as:

  • Electronic onboarding
  • Mobile employee self-service portals
  • Automated tax form delivery

These features eliminate paperwork, save HR teams hours each week, and reduce manual errors. Your clients are already absorbing a change. Give them compelling reasons to feel excited about it.

When you highlight the right features, clients don’t just accept the change, they thank you for it.

Mistake #4: Starting with Only Your Easiest Clients

It might feel smart to start with only your easiest clients. But that approach can actually slow you down.

Why Easy Doesn't Equal Smart

If you start with your easy clients, you’ll delay the learning that actually makes you better.

When you start with your simplest client transitions, you won’t uncover the gaps in your knowledge until later. And by then, you’re juggling more clients and can’t afford to troubleshoot basic issues during a live payroll run.

How to Avoid This Mistake

Start your conversion process with a mix. Select a few straightforward clients and one or two with some complexity. This will push you to dig in and learn the isolved platform faster. You’ll uncover questions sooner, gain hands-on experience, and build confidence more quickly.

And remember: You’re not on your own. If a project goes sideways, we’re here to jump in and help. So take advantage of the support early to stretch yourself.

Pick clients with “a little bit of hair on them,” as we say. Tackle them now, and you’ll be ready for anything that comes next.

Getting one tricky implementation under your belt early gives you the confidence to handle anything that comes later.

Mistake #5: Not Fully Understanding Pricing Structure

In any business, you can't make money if you don't understand your costs. The Whirks Partner Network is no different.

Understanding your pricing structure protects your margins.

What This Mistake Really Means

Many new partners haven’t fully mapped Whirks’ billing structure to their own client pricing, so they don’t know what profit they’re actually making.

I'm not referring to hidden fees. We’re fully transparent about what we charge, and we’ll walk you through those details. The problem happens when partners don’t take the time to connect those costs to their own pricing model.

How to Avoid This Mistake

Take pricing seriously from day one. View your costs through the lens of "How does this affect what I charge my clients?"

Get clear on:

  • What Whirks bills you for different services
  • How those fees affect your margins
  • When and how you should adjust your pricing

Ask questions early, review your fee schedules often, and build your model with complete information, not assumptions. Pricing can feel overwhelming at first, but the more questions you ask now, the fewer surprises you’ll face later.

The sooner you understand your true costs, the sooner you can price confidently and protect your margins.

Moving Forward as a Whirks Partner

Joining the Whirks Partner Network is a big step for your business. And like any big step, it comes with a learning curve. The five mistakes we covered here are all avoidable when you know what to expect.

Success comes faster when you face complexity early and ask the hard questions upfront. Partners who take that approach feel more confident, support their clients better, and grow more quickly.

We built this program to partner with businesses like yours, not just give you software and leave you to figure it out alone. We're here to help you grow stronger through it.

If you’re already a Whirks Partner, start identifying which clients could be ideal for early implementation and block time this week for isolved training.

Still exploring whether the Whirks Partner Network is the right fit for your firm?
Read: "Who's a Fit for the Whirks Network Partner Program and Who Isn't?"

This article walks through who we’re a great fit for (and who we’re not), what support looks like, and what to expect if you decide to join.

Let’s work together to make your transition smooth, your clients happy, and your business stronger than ever.