The Most Common Myths About Sales Funnels

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There are a lot of myths about sales funnels that can prevent you from getting the most out of them.

Sales funnels can really help businesses, big or small.

They can get you more customers and grow sales.

Yet, many people have wrong ideas or get confused about how they work.

In this article, I will debunk some of the most common sales funnel myths.

I will explain why these myths are false and how you can avoid them.

So, let’s get started.

What Are the Most Common Myths About Sales Funnels?

1. Sales funnels are a magic solution for sales. This is simply not true. Sales funnels can be a very effective way to generate leads and sales, but they are not a guarantee of success.
2. You need to use specific software to create a sales funnel. This is also not true. You can create a sales funnel using a variety of tools, including free and open-source software.
3. You need to spend a lot of money on a sales funnel. This is not necessarily true. You can create a simple sales funnel for free or for very little money.
4. Sales funnels are complicated and time-consuming to set up. They can be complicated and time-consuming to set up, but they don’t have to be. The complexity of a sales funnel will depend on several factors, including the type of products or services you sell, your target audience, and your budget.
5. Sales funnels only focus on making a sale. No, sales funnels do not only focus on making a sale. While the ultimate goal of many sales funnels is to convert visitors into paying customers, the process encompasses much more than just the final transaction.
6. Sales funnels are a “get rich quick” scheme. No, sales funnels aren’t a “get rich quick” scheme. They’re tools to help businesses guide customers through a buying process, but they need strategy, time, and effort to work effectively. Unfortunately, some sales funnels may be misleading or unrealistic in their promises, and may not deliver the expected value or results to the customers but they usually die very fast.

Myth #1: Sales Funnels Are a Magic Solution for Sales

Short Answer:

This is simply not true. Sales funnels can be a very effective way to generate leads and sales, but they are not a guarantee of success.

Why People Think This:

Many people think that just by using sales funnel websites, their sales will go up immediately.

A well-planned sales funnel can help make the customer’s buying process smoother and possibly increase sales, but it doesn’t mean sales will shoot up instantly.

The Truth:

The fact is, a sales funnel is a tool – a smart and often beneficial tool, but just a tool nonetheless.

Like a hammer can’t build a house alone, a sales funnel alone can’t suddenly make a business’s sales grow massively.

A sales funnel guides customers from when they first learn about your product or service to when they decide to buy.

But this journey can be complicated, with steps like learning about your product, becoming interested, deciding to buy, and finally buying.

A good sales funnel can make this journey easier and more effective, but it doesn’t promise success.

Success relies on many things like the quality and price of your product or service, how well you connect with your customers, and how good your marketing plan is.

Building a good sales funnel isn’t a one-and-done job.

It needs careful planning, constant checking, and updates based on how well it’s working.

Also, for a sales funnel to really work, you need to know your customers very well.

Each part of your funnel should add value, build trust, and move your customers closer to buying.

While sales funnel websites can help improve your sales process and how often customers buy, they’re not a magic solution.

How effective they are really depends on how well you use them.

If you know your customers well, have a solid plan, and keep working at it, sales funnels can help you increase your sales steadily and significantly.

Myth #2: You Need to Use Specific Software to Create a Sales Funnel

Short Answer:

That’s not true. You can make a sales funnel website with many different tools, even free ones. However, using specialized software can make the process more streamlined, efficient, and effective.

Why People Think This:

Some believe that only specific, expensive software can build good sales funnel websites. This myth probably started because some software companies say they’re the best option.

The Truth:

A sales funnel website’s core is its structure and content, guiding visitors from landing on the page to taking desired actions, such as making a purchase or signing up.

While specialized software can provide enhanced features or specific templates tailored for sales funnels, they are not the sole tools available.

There’s a wide spectrum of website builders, both free and paid, open-source and proprietary, which can be utilized to craft a sales funnel website.

Here are some alternatives to the usual sales funnel builder tools you can build a sales funnel on your website:

1. Content Management Systems (CMS): Platforms like WordPress, Joomla, or Drupal can be used to create sales funnels. With the right plugins and themes, you can customize these platforms to function similarly to dedicated funnel builders.
2. Custom Development: If you have the resources, you can hire a web developer to create a custom sales funnel website tailored to your specific needs.
3. Landing Page Builders: Tools like Unbounce, Leadpages, or Instapage can be used to create individual pages of your sales funnel. While they’re primarily designed for landing pages, they can be adapted for full sales funnels.
4. E-commerce Platforms: If you’re selling products, platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, or BigCommerce can be adapted to function as sales funnels, especially with the right themes and plugins.

However, while you don’t need specific software to conceptualize or design a sales funnel, there are many software tools available that can help you implement, manage, and optimize your sales funnel in practice.

These tools can make the process more efficient, provide analytics, and help automate certain aspects of the funnel.

There is even a scientific paper and research article on a similar topic that suggests that sales funnel software can have significant benefits for your sales performance, customer experience, and digital transformation.

According to this research article posted by Jeannette Paschen, Matthew Wilson and Joao Ferreira, sales funnel software can enhance collaborative intelligence, which is the combination of human and artificial intelligence (AI) in the context of B2B sales.

Sales funnel software can help automate repetitive and mundane tasks, provide insights and recommendations, and augment human capabilities.

This can improve sales efficiency, effectiveness, and engagement.

Myth #3: You Need to Spend a Lot of Money on a Sales Funnel

Short Answer:

No, you don’t necessarily need to spend a lot of money on a sales funnel website. The cost depends on your goals, needs, and the tools you choose.

Why People Think This:

Many businesses believe that a higher investment in a sales funnel website guarantees better results. This perception might be influenced by expensive software platforms and agencies promoting their high-end solutions, promising optimal results.

The Truth:

The effectiveness of a sales funnel doesn’t solely depend on the amount of money spent.

The cost of creating a sales funnel depends on the tool you use, the complexity of your funnel, and the level of expertise you have.

Some tools offer free or low-cost plans for beginners, while others charge more for advanced features and customization.

It’s also about strategy, content, and understanding your audience.

1. Choice of Platform: There are multiple website builders available, ranging from free options like WordPress (with certain plugins) to premium platforms that come with in-built sales funnel features.
2. Content is Key: Regardless of the platform’s cost, the content you provide is crucial. Informative, engaging, and persuasive content that resonates with your target audience is more important than flashy, expensive design.
3. Strategy Over Spend: A well-thought-out strategy that focuses on your target audience’s needs and behaviors is more valuable than simply throwing money at expensive tools and hoping for the best.
4. Testing and Optimization: Even on a tight budget, regularly testing different aspects of your funnel (like landing page design or call-to-action placements) can yield improvements. This iterative process can often lead to better results than a one-off expensive setup.
5. External Costs: While building the site might be affordable, don’t forget other potential costs like advertising, content creation, and third-party integrations. These can affect the overall budget.

While investing in a good sales funnel website can provide returns, it’s not about how much you spend but how wisely you spend it.

You don’t need to spend a lot of money on a sales funnel website if you have a clear goal, a simple design, and a reliable tool that suits your needs.

Myth #4: Sales Funnels Are Complicated And Time-Consuming to Set Up

Short Answer:

Sales funnels can be complicated and time-consuming to set up, but they don’t have to be. The complexity of a sales funnel will depend on several factors, including the type of products or services you sell, your target audience, and your budget.

Why People Think This:

People often feel overwhelmed by the many steps in a sales funnel and the need to use various tools and create engaging content.

The Truth:

With user-friendly platforms available, creating a sales funnel can be simple.

It’s all about using the right tools and getting a bit of practice.

If you’re selling simple products to a broad audience, you may be able to get away with a simple sales funnel with a few steps.

However, if you’re selling complex products to a niche audience, you may need to create a more complex sales funnel with more steps.

The time it takes to set up a sales funnel will also vary. If you’re using a pre-made sales funnel template, you can usually set it up quickly. However, if you’re creating your own sales funnel from scratch, it will take more time.

Myth #5: Sales Funnels Only Focus on Making a Sale

Short Answer:

No, sales funnels do not only focus on making a sale. While the ultimate goal of many sales funnels is to convert visitors into paying customers, the process encompasses much more than just the final transaction.

Why People Think This:

People often think sales funnel websites are all about selling because they guide visitors step-by-step to a goal, like buying something.

The Truth:

While the ultimate goal of a sales funnel website is to drive sales, it serves multiple purposes beyond just making a sale.

It’s about building relationships, educating customers, generating leads, increasing brand awareness, and collecting valuable data.

Let me explain it to you:

Sales funnels do more than just sell products.

They can teach visitors about the product and the industry, helping businesses show they know their stuff.

These websites also build strong connections with visitors by regularly interacting with them, like through emails.

For example:

Russell Brunson in his book DotCom Secrets suggests using the Value Ladder method in conjunction with email marketing.

There is also an article on the ClickFunnels blog explaining how to use it together with email funnels.

Besides this, sales funnel sites can also help you collect feedback from visitors.

This helps businesses understand what their customers like and how they can improve.

Another thing the sales funnel can do is that they can also show different content to different visitors based on what they’re interested in, making the experience more personal.

After someone buys a product, the website often suggests related items or better versions to buy.

Here is a very good article in which Astha Khandelwal analyzes how Amazon and Netflix are personalizing their funnels.

This gives customers more options and helps businesses sell more.

The website also tries to keep customers coming back by offering special deals or rewards. Happy customers might even be asked to tell their friends about the business.

Overall, as you can see, sales funnels focus on building long-term relationships with visitors.

They aim to make visitors feel valued and connected, rather than just making a single sale.

It’s all about ongoing trust and engagement, not just a one-time transaction.

Myth #6: Sales Funnels Are a “Get Rich Quick” Scheme

Short Answer:

No, sales funnels aren’t a “get rich quick” scheme.

They’re tools to help businesses guide customers through a buying process, but they need strategy, time, and effort to work effectively.

Unfortunately, some sales funnels may be misleading or unrealistic in their promises, and may not deliver the expected value or results to the customers but they usually die very fast.

Why People Think This:

The hype around sales funnels, especially in online marketing circles, can make them seem like an easy way to make money fast. Some marketers might promote them as such, especially if they’re selling related services or products.

The Truth:

Sales funnels are designed to guide visitors through a structured process, leading them towards a particular action, like making a purchase.

But creating and managing a sales funnel doesn’t guarantee instant wealth.

The effectiveness of a sales funnel depends on various factors:

It’s important to approach sales funnels with realistic expectations.

While they can be highly effective in increasing conversions and sales, they are not a shortcut to instant wealth.

Like any tool, their success lies in how they are used and integrated into a broader business strategy.

Required Reading on Sales Funnels

1. Dotcom Secrets by Russell Brunson

“Dotcom Secrets” is a comprehensive guide to mastering online marketing.

Brunson presents a step-by-step blueprint for businesses to grow and succeed in the digital realm.

From understanding the core principles of sales funnels to harnessing the power of storytelling in marketing, this book is a treasure trove for anyone looking to scale their online business.

2. Expert Secrets by Russell Brunson

In “Expert Secrets”, Russell Brunson delves into the art of building a personal brand and becoming an authority in your niche.

This book teaches readers how to cultivate a tribe, share their message, and monetize their expertise.

It’s a roadmap for turning your knowledge and passion into a successful business.

3. Ask by Ryan Levesque

Ryan Levesque’s “Ask” introduces a revolutionary approach to market research and customer segmentation.

Levesque shares his innovative “Ask Method”, a set of techniques centered around the simple act of asking the right questions to discover what your audience truly desires.

It’s a must-read for marketers and entrepreneurs who seek to connect more deeply with their customers.

4. Invisible Selling Machine by Ryan Deiss

“Invisible Selling Machine” is about automating your marketing to capture leads, nurture prospects, and convert customers even while you sleep.

Deiss breaks down the process of creating an evergreen marketing machine for any business, ensuring consistent engagement and sales without constant hands-on intervention.

This approach empowers businesses to operate efficiently, allowing entrepreneurs and marketers more time to focus on innovation and growth strategies.

Conclusion

Sales funnels are important in online marketing, but there are many myths about them.

I’ve looked at these common misunderstandings and set the record straight.

Finally, I would also like to remind you of one thing that Mike Weinberg expressed in his book Sales Truth:

Just because it’s published doesn’t mean it’s true.

So if someone says something, it does not mean that it is true.

Remember, sales funnels can help a business a lot, but they need to be used the right way.

By knowing the truth, you can use sales funnels more effectively.

So, let’s put those myths to rest and get the most out of our sales strategies.