Most online marketers use a sales funnel strategy when they promote their products and services through affiliates. A sales funnel helps people move from awareness of a product or service to purchasing that product or subscribing to a service. It also gives them more information about what's coming next so they're not surprised later down the line.
In this article, we will look at how you can create a sales funnel for affiliate marketing using ClickFunnels - one of the most popular solutions available today. We will then show you how to create the funnel yourself with simple tools like Google Docs, Excel, and Notepad++.
If you already have a successful affiliate marketing business, you may want to skip ahead to our section on building your own funnel. If you are just starting out as an affiliate marketer, read on!
A sales funnel works because it provides all the necessary elements for someone to buy something (or subscribe to a service). You give prospects useful content first, which increases interest in buying your offering. Next comes the "call-to-action" where you ask them to take action by signing up for a trial, making a purchase, or whatever else you want them to do. The final stage of a funnel is usually some additional content or other enticements designed to keep the prospect interested longer and hopefully turn them into buyers.
The following diagram shows a typical sales funnel. Notice that each element has its own purpose. Awareness means getting people to know who you are and what you offer. This could include writing articles, posting videos, hosting webinars, etc. For instance, if you run an ecommerce store selling clothing, you might write blog posts about different styles of clothes. Interest means giving visitors enough information to become curious and possibly even start looking around for more details. Call-to-actions help you guide visitors toward taking specific actions, such as downloading a white paper, visiting a landing page, or ordering a product online. Last but not least, follow-up creates interest over time, allowing you to send emails or provide additional content after they've made a decision.
This type of sales process does not work well in every case, however. Some businesses sell things directly rather than via an affiliate network. Others sell physical goods instead of digital downloads. Still others don't require any customer interaction whatsoever. Even those that involve email follow ups tend to focus mainly on lead generation and generating traffic -- two very important parts of a good affiliate campaign.
Creating a sales funnel requires several pieces of information. First, you must figure out what your goal is: Are you trying to generate leads, increase conversions, get repeat purchases, etc.? Second, decide on an overall structure. Do you want to attract new customers over time? Or would a single sale suffice right now? Third, determine whether you should use a paid tool or develop your own solution. Finally, choose between a DIY approach or enlisting professional assistance.
We recommend choosing a tool that lets you customize everything from the header image to the text within the pages. That way, you can design a unique funnel tailored specifically to your needs without having to spend hours tweaking code manually. Here are five common ways to create a sales funnel:
1) Use an existing template provided by ClickFunnels. They come with pre-made templates for many types of businesses including Amazon Kindle books, membership sites, blogs, and more. Just pick the correct niche and customize the rest until it looks exactly like you want.
2) Create a blank document and insert ClickFunnels' HTML editor. Paste the code from the demo site and change it to match your style. When finished, upload the file to WordPress or another blogging platform.
3) Build your own custom template using only HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. While this method takes less effort, it won't produce nearly as polished results as a professionally created template. However, if you really hate working with HTML and prefer to stick with familiar programs like Word or Photoshop, you can still hire a programmer to set up a custom solution for you.
4) Hire a designer to create a custom template based on your branding guidelines. This option costs money upfront but offers better quality output. Make sure the person designing the templates understands social media and SEO conventions before accepting his/her bid. Also, find out what kind of support you can expect -- hourly rates vary widely depending on experience and industry knowledge.
5) Develop a customized app using Apple's Xcode or Android Studio. These platforms let developers write native apps that perform similar functions as websites. Once again, you will probably need to pay extra for expert help since coding isn't easy. And, while these options aren't always supported outside of iOS and Android devices, they allow you to reach audiences beyond desktop computers.
Click Funnels is a subscription service, meaning you pay monthly fees regardless of how much revenue you bring in. There are no free trials, so you either sign up for a plan or go elsewhere. Pricing starts at $97 per month for the basic plan, which allows you to manage up to 20 funnels. Additional plans range from $297 annually to $1750 for unlimited users. Prices depend on the number of memberships, features offered, and additional add-ons.
You can also opt for Click Funnels Pro, which includes advanced functionality along with access to third party integrations. At present, pricing remains unclear.
Yes, there is. Free funnel builders often cost nothing upfront but require payment upon completion. So, they are somewhat comparable to outsourcing your project to a freelance artist.
However, unlike hiring a freelancer, you retain full control over the end result and can easily tweak anything that doesn't meet expectations. Plus, most free funnel builders let you export your creation in multiple formats, making it easier to import back into your own system.
To save time, consider outsourcing part of your project. Outsourcing can mean paying for a small percentage of the job, helping you avoid spending too long on tasks that don't benefit you personally. On the flip side, if you don't mind spending a little bit of cash to save time, you can simply download a free funnel builder and complete the entire task yourself. Either choice is fine.
Finally, remember that creating a great sales funnel is only half the battle. To succeed, you also need to optimize your links throughout your site and ensure you're sending emails correctly. Fortunately, both of these activities are fairly straightforward once you understand the basics.
When building a successful online business that involves selling products or services, there’s one key step you must take before anything else: create a sales funnel with a clear path from visitor all the way to customer.
The goal of a sales funnel is to help people find and follow the right path towards making a purchase. An ideal funnel has several main stages like discovery (where visitors arrive), engagement (the initial contact between you as an affiliate and the customer) and conversion (when someone makes a buying decision). The more clearly defined each stage is, the better chance you have at converting them into paying customers. And if you want to maximize conversions, you will also need to optimize every aspect of your funnel – including its design, content, and even its name.
To get started with creating an effective sales funnel, let's first look at what a typical funnel looks like. A simple landing page might only include a headline about your product followed by some text explaining why they should buy it. This kind of approach works well when you're trying to reach new customers who haven't heard of your brand yet. However, most consumers are already familiar with brands because they've seen ads everywhere over time. To engage these existing customers, you may want to consider using a sales funnel instead. Here are four tips to keep in mind while designing your own funnel:
1. Use one-way communication
Your funnel needs to start out with a clear call to action so that people know exactly where to go next. You don't necessarily need to write down specific instructions on how people should proceed through your site. Instead, focus on providing useful information to guide readers along their journey. For instance, you could use videos or infographics to describe features or benefits associated with whatever you sell.
2. Keep things simple
Don't try to pack too much information onto your pages. Most people won't read everything anyway, but having lots of scrolling options isn't going to increase conversion rates either. It will just frustrate viewers and discourage them from continuing past the first few pages. Your aim is to provide enough guidance so that users understand what they need to do next without getting overwhelmed. If possible, avoid writing long paragraphs, since those tend to lose attention quickly. When possible, break up longer sections into smaller chunks so that people feel less lost.
3. Include relevant calls to action
It doesn't matter whether your funnel includes multiple paths to success. Each individual segment still needs to contain a clear way to move forward. Ideally, links to other parts of your site should appear directly below the section where a user would normally land. Just make sure that any additional calls to actions are clearly labeled and easy to spot. Don't leave important details buried deep within your site unless necessary.
4. Test different designs & copywriting
While many marketers believe that their audience consists entirely of passive buyers, studies show otherwise. There are plenty of ways to attract traffic to your funnel, such as social media campaigns, paid adverts, email blasts, etc., but testing various approaches can help you identify which methods work best. Even though you probably aren't ready to spend money on advertising yet, you can still test different headlines, images, and copy to see how each affects results. Some companies offer templates for free that you can customize to fit your brand. But if you prefer to play around yourself, here's a great tool called Funnel Hacks that lets you easily change aspects of your funnel on the fly.
Now that you know the basics, let's examine how to actually put together a working sales funnel. We recommend checking out our list of the best tools available for affiliates looking to boost conversions. If you'd rather skip ahead, check out our guide to building a sales funnel using WordPress.
There are dozens of ways to create a funnellike structure for your affiliate website. One popular option is to use Google Docs, Excel, or similar programs to manage the flow and layout of your funnel. That said, there are websites dedicated specifically to helping affiliates build sales funnels. While no single program seems to dominate the industry, two of them stand out above others: LeadPages and ClickFunnels. Let's explore both options now.
ClickFunnels offers a 14 day trial period for anyone interested in signing up. Afterward, however, you'll need to pay $97 per month or $997 per year to continue using the service. As far as pricing goes, this is comparable to other solutions like Instapage ($89/month) and Infusionsoft ($199/year) due to the fact that none of them require you to pay upfront. Still, this does mean that you're locked into a recurring monthly payment plan. Depending on how often you upgrade, you may end up spending hundreds of dollars annually.
If you decide not to sign up for a full year, then you can always choose to cancel anytime after 30 days. Otherwise, once you cancel, you'll loose access to your account forever. So be sure to weigh the pros and cons carefully before committing to a price tag.
There are alternatives to ClickFunnels, but they generally cost significantly more than the platform itself. Although there are cheaper competitors out there, none come close to offering the same level of functionality. These include BuilderAll ($99/mo) and ConvertKit ($20/mo). With Builderall, you can create custom landing pages that automatically redirect visitors based on the type of device they used to visit your site. Similarly, Convertkit allows you to add tracking codes to emails sent from your website. Both platforms allow you to integrate third party apps like Instagram and Facebook. They also feature drag and drop page builders for webmasters who want to create layouts themselves.
Builder All and Convert Kit offer basic versions of their core offerings at no charge. However, the standard version of their respective products costs roughly $100 per month.
In short, neither of these choices comes anywhere near ClickFunnels' value proposition. If you're serious about creating a high quality sales funnel, then you really shouldn't settle for something cheap.
Although there's no exact equivalent to ClickFunnels, there are a few solid contenders worth considering. Two of the biggest names in the space are Unbounce and InfusionSoft. Both of these systems offer advanced webpages and forms management capabilities. Their interfaces are fairly intuitive, although Unbounce tends to be slightly easier to navigate. On top of that, both platforms boast impressive lists of integrations with major CRMs like Salesforce and QuickBooks.
Ultimately, the choice between Unbounce and InfusionSoft depends largely upon personal preference. While both of them offer powerful featuresets, Unbounce tends to be simpler overall. Users who primarily rely on HTML and CSS will likely appreciate the straightforwardness of the interface. Meanwhile, users who enjoy coding will probably prefer InfusionSoft. Overall, if you're mainly concerned with managing forms, then Unbounce is a good solution. Otherwise, InfusioSoft is a better bet.
Both of these platforms are very expensive compared to ClickFunnels. At $497 / mo, InfusionSoft is nearly twice as costly as ClickFunnels. Likewise, Unbouncce costs roughly double what ClickFunnels charges. However, you can save quite a bit of cash by opting for the free version of InfusionSoft. Unfortunately, the free version lacks certain features, so you'll still need to shell out cash for upgrades.
Still unsure which platform to pick? Check out our comprehensive comparison chart to learn more.
The internet has become saturated with content that's trying to sell something. As an affiliate marketer, you have to compete with all of them and stand out from the crowd. One way to differentiate yourself is by building a strong conversion funnel. You can use one like ClickFunnels or another service that offers similar features but it doesn't come cheap - $97/month. If you're looking for a cheaper option, there are several alternatives available online. Here are some ways you can create a sales funnel for affiliate marketing without spending a dime.
Create a Sales Funnel With Your Own Website
If you own a blog, you already know how powerful SEO (search engine optimization) is. It helps people find what they want when searching online. Using keywords in posts will help readers discover more about your business and learn why they should buy whatever products you offer. This works well if you don't yet have any products to promote. However, once you start selling other companies' products through affiliate links, things change. You still want to rank highly for relevant terms so your visitors can easily find your site, but now you also need to show them exactly what they would receive if they bought those items.
To accomplish both goals, you may decide to host a landing page where you display these products using a sales funnel. A sales funnel allows you to showcase different pages as part of a series of steps. The visitor follows each step until he or she reaches the end goal which could be purchasing a product or signing up for a newsletter. There are many free tools that allow you to set up a sales funnel on your own website.
One such tool is LeadPages.com. They provide templates to guide you in setting up various types of sales funnels, including ones designed to drive traffic to your affiliates' websites. These include squeeze pages, membership sites, and opt-in forms that lead to webinar signups, email subscriptions, and much more. Their prices vary depending on how long you plan to run your campaign, but you can try their trial version first before committing to a full subscription.
Another excellent resource for learning how to create a sales funnel is HubSpot Academy. Unlike LeadPages, HubSpot does not focus specifically on promoting affiliate programs. Instead, its platform provides marketers with everything they need to attract new leads and turn them into paying clients. To demonstrate this point, HubSpot includes a template called "Traffic Magnet" which shows how to create a sales funnel based around a list of high-value prospects.
HubSpot Academy isn't just limited to teaching you how to create a sales funnel though. Its extensive library covers topics related to digital marketing and search engine optimization. For example, you might take advantage of the section titled "Building Effective Email Marketing Templates". Another useful section is the "Inbound Marketing Guide", which teaches users how to optimize their blogs for higher rankings in Google searches.
Create a Sales Funnel On Affiliate Websites
If you're interested in creating a sales funnel for affiliate marketing, you could consider hosting one on your own website instead. That way, you'll maintain control over every aspect of the process. While doing so requires some additional work, you won't pay any monthly fees either.
There are two main options here. First, you could join an existing network that hosts a sales funnel. These networks typically charge between 4% and 8%, but they often include commissions and bonuses too. Most importantly, these services usually require you to register with them as an affiliate. Once you've signed up, you can upload a link to your sales funnel to generate revenue whenever someone clicks on it. Some popular examples include ShareASale, Amazon Associates Program, Commission Junction, LinkShare, PayPerClick, CPA Network, etc.
However, if you'd prefer to avoid joining a pre-existing network, you can simply download a copy of a free sales funnel template. Many of these websites offer simple versions that allow you to add text, images, and video within minutes. All you need to do then is customize the layout to suit your needs.
For instance, you could install Squeeze Pages by SiteGround. It comes with four different designs but you can edit each one however you see fit. When finished, you can choose whether you want to keep the template private or publish it publicly for others to access.
Here are some other resources worth checking out:
You can purchase a license key for ClickFunnels directly from their website for $14.95 per month. Alternatively, you can request a refund after 30 days. Note that refunds aren't guaranteed for all purchases made during promotional periods.
Alternatively, you may wish to check out my previous article on getting a free ClickFunnels account. It explains how anyone who owns a domain name can apply for a free account. To quote myself:
“…you don’t even need to own a.com domain to apply. Any person whose ownership rights extend beyond their personal namespaces will qualify – regardless of age, gender, nationality, location, occupation, income level, or anything else.”
How Do I Get A Free Account At ClickFunnels [No Longer Available]
Finally, you can always ask ClickFunnels for a referral code. This will give you access to a free 14 day trial period. Afterward, you must upgrade to continue receiving benefits. To do so, you'll need to subscribe at least 3 months prior to expiry date. Unfortunately, this method isn't ideal since you won't be able to test the funnel during this time.
Opt-ins are required for most affiliate programs because they serve as evidence that a customer wants to hear about certain products. If you don't have one yet, you can use a number of third party solutions to quickly create an attractive form. Popular choices include Unbounce, ConvertKit, iContact, Leadpages, and Infusionsoft. They all let you design custom opt-in boxes and integrate them onto your website or landing page.
These platforms generally provide drag & drop layouts and easy customization options. There's no limit to the amount of fields you can place inside an opt-in box. So feel free to add extra fields if you think it makes sense.
When designing your opt-in form, you shouldn't forget to ensure that it complies with industry standards. Specifically, you should follow eCommerce Best Practices outlined by the International Online Retailers Association (IORA). By adhering to these guidelines, you increase the likelihood of attracting quality leads.
Additionally, you should remember to collect contact information. Make sure to include details like company name, address, phone numbers, and email addresses. Don't worry about collecting unnecessary data. Just save it somewhere safe.
Unlike some competitors, ClickFunnels does not charge upfront fees. Rather than charging monthly payments, it relies entirely upon recurring revenues generated by affiliate program participants. Therefore, pricing plans depend on how much compensation you expect to earn through referrals.
On average, ClickFunnels charges 5% commission on top of the price paid by buyers. This means that affiliates earning 50 cents per sale will only pay 2.5%. Conversely, those making $100 per sale will only pay 1.25%. Since these percentages fluctuate depending on individual results, it pays to compare multiple providers before deciding which one suits you best.
As mentioned above, there are plenty of good alternatives to ClickFunnels. We reviewed a few of them below:
LeadPages -- Although it falls short in comparison to ClickFunnels, LeadPages is still quite impressive. Its interface is very intuitive and the templates provided are beautiful. Some limitations exist such as lack of advanced functionality and support. Nevertheless, it remains our favorite choice due to low costs and great value.
Squarespace -- Similar to LeadPages, Squarespace excels at providing beautiful websites with minimal effort involved. It also lets you manage your entire project from start to finish. Despite having fewer templates compared to LeadPages, it still manages to impress us with its ease of use.
Wix -- WIX is another competitor worth considering. It focuses heavily on aesthetics while offering less flexibility in terms of structure. Nonetheless, it serves its purpose well enough so you might not mind sacrificing some usability.
Canva -- Canva provides basic editing capabilities along with a variety of stock photos to accompany your campaigns. It lacks the ability to create complex sales funnels though, therefore limiting its usefulness.
Conclusion
Just follow our battle-tested guidelines and rake in the profits.