7 Steps to Create a Sales Funnel Website (from Scratch)

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Creating a sales funnel website involves setting up a series of optimized web pages that guide potential customers from awareness to purchase, typically using an all-in-one platform like Systeme.io.

Here’s a quick overview of the process:

1. Define your offer
2. Design your funnel structure
3. Choose a sales funnel builder
4. Set up and design your funnel pages
5. Implement email follow-up sequences
6. Integrate payment processing
7. Test and launch your funnel

In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through each of these steps, showing you exactly how to create a high-converting sales funnel website.

So, let’s dive in .

What Is a Sales Funnel Website?

A Sales Funnel Website is a collection of web pages that guide users through a sequence of steps leading to a goal, like making a purchase.

Simply put:

This approach breaks down the buying journey into smaller stages, allowing you to hit prospects with the RIGHT offer at the RIGHT time.

It includes:

All are designed to keep users engaged and encourage them to buy more of your products and services.

Step #1: Define Your Offer

Your offer is the CORE of your sales funnel.

Get this right, and you’re halfway to success.

For example, let’s say you’re launching a meal-planning app for new parents.

By offering quick, nutritious recipes and automated grocery lists, you’re solving a HUGE pain point for a specific audience.

That’s the magic formula: a targeted solution for a targeted group.

So, how do you create an irresistible offer?

Here are some tips:

1. Identify your target audience’s biggest pain point What keeps your ideal customer up at night? That’s what you need to solve.
2. Create a Unique Value Proposition (UVP) What makes your offer different from everything else out there? This could be your secret sauce, your unique approach, or exceptional results.
3. Offer a complete solution Don’t just solve part of the problem. Offer a comprehensive solution that takes your customer from A to Z.
4. Add bonuses Sweeten the deal with valuable extras. These could be templates, checklists, or exclusive access to a community.
5. Create urgency and scarcity Limited-time offers or limited spots can push people to take action now rather than later.

You should remember that your offer is not just about your product or service.

It’s about the transformation you’re promising.

Make it clear, make it compelling, and make it irresistible.

Step #2: Design Your Funnel Structure

Now that you’ve nailed your offer, it’s time to design your funnel structure.

And I’ve got great news:

Creating an effective funnel structure is simpler than you might think.

You need only map out the journey you want your potential customers to take, from their first interaction to the final purchase (and beyond).

That’s it.

For example, here’s the basic structure I use for my digital product funnels:

Let’s break down the key elements:

1. Lead Magnet Page This is where you offer something valuable for free in exchange for an email address. It could be an ebook, a webinar, or a free trial.
2. Thank You Page After they opt-in, thank them and provide the lead magnet. But don’t stop there! Use this page to introduce your paid offer.
3. Sales Page This is where you make your main pitch. Highlight benefits, showcase testimonials, and overcome objections.
4. Upsell Page After purchase, offer a complementary product or upgrade. This can significantly boost your average order value.
5. Thank You / Delivery Page Confirm the purchase and provide access to the product. This is also a great place to encourage sharing or joining a community.

Now, if you’re targeting high-ticket offers, you might need a more sophisticated approach.

In that case, consider the following advanced funnel structure:

This includes additional steps like a video series, application page, and phone consultation before the main offer.

Step #3: Choose Your Sales Funnel Builder

With your funnel structure mapped out, it’s time to select the right tool to build it.

And here’s the thing:

The right sales funnel builder can make your life a whole lot easier.

While there are several solid options out there, like GoHighLevel, Kartra, and ClickFunnels, I’ve found one that is both affordable and feature-rich:

Why do I love Systeme.io?

Let me break it down for you:

First, it’s super affordable. When I was starting out, every dollar counted. Systeme.io gets that. They offer a free plan that lets you try it out without spending a dime.

But here’s what really sold me: it’s got everything you need under one roof. Landing pages? Check. Email marketing? Yep. Want to host a course or manage affiliates? It’s all there. No need to juggle a dozen different tools.

And let me tell you, I’m no tech genius. But with Systeme.io, I don’t need to be.

Their drag-and-drop editor is so intuitive that I was building pages in no time.

The best part?

It grows with you. Whether you’re just starting out or you’re running a booming business, Systeme.io can keep up.

Let’s take a look at how Systeme.io stacks up against other popular funnel builders:

As you can see, Systeme.io offers the most comprehensive set of features at the lowest starting price.

It’s the only platform with a free plan, making it an excellent choice for beginners or those on a tight budget.

Now, I know what you’re thinking:

“But what about those other funnel builders you mentioned?”

Yes, GoHighLevel, Kartra, and ClickFunnels are all solid choices. They each have their strengths:

But here’s my take:

For most folks just starting out (and even for many established businesses), Systeme.io offers everything you need without breaking the bank.

That’s why I’ll use Systeme.io as my example throughout this guide.

But no worries—the principles I’ll cover apply to any funnel builder you choose (you’re free to choose the ones that best suit your needs).

Step #4: Set Up and Design Your Sales Funnel Website

Now that you’ve chosen your funnel builder, it’s time to put it to work.

Here’s what you have to do:

1. Access Your Dashboard
   Once you’ve signed up, you’ll be redirected to your dashboard.
   Here, you can manage and monitor all your sales funnel activities.
2. Start Building Your Funnel
   Click on the ‘Websites>Sales Funnels‘ option from the menu and then click on ‘Create.’
   
3. Enter Sales Funnel Information
   You’ll be asked to name your funnel and choose its goal (e.g., selling a product, collecting emails, running a webinar), and choose your currency.
   When all this is done, click the ‘Save’ button.

Then, you can start creating the core pages of your funnel.

To start creating core pages for your sales funnel, you will need:

1. Go to Your Funnels Page
   Go to the ‘Websites > Sales Funnels‘ option from the menu. Then click on the name of the previously created funnel.
   
2. Add a New Step
   You will then be redirected to the funnel steps page. Here, click on ‘Add a new step‘.
   Name the step (for example, ‘Landing Page‘), and select ‘Squeeze Page‘ from the dropdown.
   Click ‘Save‘ to continue.
3. Choose Your Template
   You’ll be given a variety of landing page templates from which to choose. Select the one that best suits your needs by clicking on the ‘Select‘ button.
   
4. Customize Your Landing Page
   Now, you’ll be able to customize your landing page.
   Systeme.io’s editor lets you modify the text, colors, images, buttons, and more. Ensure your landing page includes a compelling headline, a clear call-to-action, and relevant content.
5. Save Your Work
   Remember to save your work regularly by clicking the ‘Save changes‘ button at the top right corner.
   
6. Integrate With an Email List
   On the right side of the editor, select ‘Blocks‘, then click on ‘Opt-in forms‘.
   Choose the Opt-in form you want to use.
   
7. Test Your Landing Page
   Once you’ve finished designing your landing page, preview it to ensure it looks and functions as expected. This is your chance to fix any errors before your audience sees the page.
8. Save Your Landing Page
   When you’re satisfied with your landing page, hit ‘Save’. Your landing page is now live and ready to attract and convert visitors!

Now, I know what you’re thinking: “That’s a lot of steps!”

But trust me, once you’ve done it once or twice, you’ll create funnels in your sleep.

Your first funnel doesn’t have to be perfect.

Get it up and running, then optimize based on real data and feedback.

And the best part?

Systeme.io makes it so intuitive that you’ll be surprised at how quickly you can get your funnel up and running.

Step #5: Implement Email Follow-up Sequences

Your funnel is set up and looking great.

But here’s the thing: the journey doesn’t end when a visitor enters your funnel.

In fact, that’s just the beginning.

Now, it’s time to nurture those leads with email follow-up sequences.

Here’s how to set up your email sequences:

1. Access Email Campaigns
   On the left-hand menu, click on ‘Email‘, and in the sub-menu option, choose ‘Campaigns.’
   This will take you to the page where you can manage your email campaigns.
2. Create a New Email Sequence
   Click on ‘Create‘ to start a new email sequence.
   You will be asked to give your sequence a name for reference.
3. Start Designing Your Emails
   Once you’ve created a sequence, click on ‘Create’ to start designing your first email.
   Add your subject line and then design your email using the provided editor.
   You can add text, images, links, and more.
4. Set Up Email Automation
   After designing your email, decide when you want it to be sent.
   This can be immediately after a user subscribes or after a certain amount of time has passed.
5. Continue Adding Emails
   Repeat Steps 4 and 5 for each email you want in your sequence. For instance, you may want a welcome email, followed by a series of informative emails, then a sales pitch, and finally a follow-up email.
6. Assign the Email Sequence to a Funnel
   Navigate back to your sales funnel and select the corresponding landing page to which you want to assign the email sequence.
   Select your email sequence from the ‘Add action‘ drop-down menu and click ‘Save‘.
   
7. Test Your Email Sequence
   Before launching, always test your emails. Make sure all links are working, and the content appears correctly. You can send test emails to yourself to see how they look.

The goal of your email sequence is to build a relationship with your subscribers and guide them toward a purchase decision.

Each email should provide value and move them one step closer to your offer.

Step #6: Integrate a Payment Gateway

Alright, your funnel is set up, your pages are designed, and your email sequences are ready to nurture those leads.

But there’s one crucial piece left: actually collecting payments.

Let’s walk through setting up your payment processing:

1. Log In to Your Account
   Log into your Systeme.io account. Once you are on your dashboard, you’ll find a variety of features available on the top menu.
2. Access ‘Settings’
   Navigate to the ‘Settings‘ option on the left-hand menu and click it.
   This will lead you to a page where you can modify various settings for your account.
3. Go to ‘Payment Gateways‘
   On the Settings page, find and click on the ‘Payment Gateways‘ tab.
   
4. Choose Your Payment Gateway
   You’ll see a list of payment gateways that Systeme.io supports, including PayPal, Stripe, and others. Choose the one you wish to integrate by clicking the ‘Add’ button next to it.
5. Input Your Payment Gateway Details
   You will need to enter the necessary details for your chosen payment gateway. For instance, if you choose PayPal, you’ll need to provide your PayPal username, password, and signature.
   These keys can be found in your PayPal account.
6. Save Your Settings
   After inputting your details, click the ‘Save‘ button.
7. Test Your Payment Gateway
   Go to a product in your sales funnel and attempt a test purchase to ensure your payment gateway is properly integrated.

The easier you make it for customers to pay, the more likely they are to complete their purchase.

Step #7: Test and Launch Your Funnel

Now, it’s time to ensure everything is working correctly before you launch.

The final step I recommend is to test your funnel to ensure everything is working smoothly.

Here’s how to test and launch your funnel in Systeme.io:

1. Review All Pages. Go through each page in your funnel. Check for:
   • Spelling and grammar
   • Broken links
   • Mobile responsiveness
   • Correct pricing and product information
2. Test Your Forms. Submit test entries on all forms to ensure they’re working properly.
   • Check if the thank you pages load correctly
   • Verify that you receive notifications for form submissions
3. Test Your Payment Process. Make a test purchase to ensure the entire payment process works smoothly.
   • Check if confirmation emails are sent
   • Verify that the purchase is recorded in your dashboard
4. Check Your Email Sequences. Test your email automation:
   • Subscribe to your own funnel
   • Ensure all emails in the sequence are received
   • Check that links in the emails work correctly
5. Test Your Tracking. Ensure your analytics are set up correctly:
   • Check if page views are being recorded
   • Verify that conversions are being tracked
6. Make Necessary Adjustments. Based on your testing results, make any required changes or improvements.
7. Launch Your Funnel. Once you’re confident everything is working correctly:
   • Activate all associated workflows and automation
   • Launch your funnel

Congratulations! You’ve now created, tested, and launched your sales funnel website.

It’s Time to Build Your Sales Funnel Website

You’ve got all the knowledge you need to create a powerful sales funnel website.

Now, it’s time to put that knowledge into action.

Don’t let perfectionism hold you back.

Your first funnel doesn’t need to be flawless – it just needs to exist.

Here’s what I want you to do right now:

1. Sign up for Systeme.io’s free plan. It’s risk-free and gives you everything you need to get started.
2. Define your offer. What problem are you solving for your audience?
3. Sketch out your funnel structure. It doesn’t have to be complex – start simple.
4. Build your first page. Just one page. That’s all it takes to get the ball rolling.

The sooner you start, the sooner you’ll see results.

And trust me, there’s nothing quite like the feeling of waking up to your first automated sale.