How to Build a Digital Product Sales Funnel (Even If You're New)
Want to sell your digital products on autopilot? Learn how to build a beginner-friendly sales funnel—from lead magnet to checkout—in this step-by-step guide.
Introduction
Creating a great digital product is only half the battle.
If you want consistent sales, you need a sales funnel—a simple, automated system that guides your audience from curious visitors to happy buyers.
In this beginner-friendly guide, you'll learn:
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What a digital product sales funnel is
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How it works
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How to build one without expensive software
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Tools and templates to get started today
What Is a Sales Funnel?
A sales funnel is a sequence of steps that turns strangers into customers by leading them through a value journey. For digital products, this usually looks like:
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Attract – Traffic from social media, SEO, or ads
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Capture – Freebie or lead magnet (email signup)
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Nurture – Automated emails that provide value
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Convert – Offer your product with urgency or bonuses
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Follow-up – Upsell, cross-sell, or get testimonials
Why You Need a Funnel (Not Just a Buy Button)
If your strategy is just "post and pray"—hoping someone clicks your Gumroad or Payhip link—you’re leaving money on the table.
Funnels help you:
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Build trust
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Educate your audience
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Make sales passively
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Increase customer lifetime value
Step-by-Step: Build Your First Digital Product Funnel
Step 1: Offer a Free Lead Magnet
This can be:
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A checklist
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A mini eBook
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A swipe file
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A Notion template
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A video walkthrough
Tool Suggestions:
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Design: https://www.canva.com
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Delivery: https://www.convertkit.com, https://www.mailerlite.com
Step 2: Create a Landing Page
Use a simple page that explains what the freebie is and why people should grab it.
Free Landing Page Tools:
Step 3: Set Up Email Automation
Once they sign up, send them:
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Welcome Email – Deliver the lead magnet
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Value Emails – Tips, stories, insights
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Sales Email – Offer your product with urgency
Automation Tools:
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ConvertKit
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MailerLite
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Systeme.io (https://systeme.io) – free all-in-one funnel builder
Step 4: Offer Your Paid Product
Send an email linking to your product on:
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Gumroad
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Payhip
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Podia
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Koji
Include:
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Benefits
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Testimonials (if any)
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Bonuses for fast action
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A clear call to action
Step 5: Add an Upsell (Optional but Powerful)
After someone buys your product, offer a related digital item:
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Example: If they bought a Notion planner, upsell them a matching content calendar.
This can be set up in:
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Gumroad (via offer codes or bundles)
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ThriveCart (if you want advanced upsells)
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Podia (with upsells and bundles)
Bonus Tip: Use Tripwires
A tripwire is a low-cost product offered right after someone signs up for your freebie—think $7 or $9.
This helps:
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Cover ad costs
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Turn subscribers into buyers faster
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Qualify serious leads
Example Funnel in Action
Let’s say you sell a $29 Notion Business Planner.
Funnel Stage | Asset |
---|---|
Attract | TikTok + Pinterest pins about productivity |
Capture | Free “Weekly Productivity Tracker” template |
Nurture | 3-part email series: Productivity tips |
Convert | Email pitch + product landing page |
Follow-up | Offer upsell: $15 content calendar |
All of this can be built with free tools—no excuses.
Tools You Can Use to Build a Funnel (Free & Paid)
Function | Free Tool | Paid Alternative |
---|---|---|
Landing Page | Carrd | Leadpages |
Email Marketing | ConvertKit (free) | ActiveCampaign |
Checkout | Gumroad | ThriveCart |
Automation | Systeme.io | Kajabi |
Final Thoughts
A sales funnel isn’t some complicated corporate strategy—it’s just a way to guide people through a simple journey:
Discover → Learn → Trust → Buy
Start small. One product, one freebie, one funnel. Then scale from there.
Tags:
#SalesFunnels #DigitalProducts #FunnelMarketing #EmailMarketing #SellOnline
Up Next:
– How to Use Tripwire Offers to Boost Digital Product Sales