How to Create Your First Digital Product Sales Funnel: Beginners

Starting your first digital product business can feel overwhelming. What’s a sales funnel? How do you create a digital product sales funnel? Don’t worry… I’ll break it down into simple steps that anyone can follow, even if you’re just getting started.

What Is a Sales Funnel (In Plain English)?

Think of a sales funnel like making friends, but online. Just like you don’t ask someone to be your best friend the moment you meet them, you don’t ask people to buy your product the second they find you. Instead, you build a relationship step by step:

1. First, they notice you (Awareness)
2. Then, they get to know you better (Interest)
3. Next, they decide if they trust you (Consideration)
4. Finally, they’re ready to commit (Purchase)

 

Let’s Build Your First Simple Sales Funnel

Step 1: Getting People to Notice You

This is where you share helpful content that solves problems for your future customers. For example:

• Write blog posts about topics they care about.
• Share useful tips on social media.
• Create helpful videos or podcasts

Blog Beginner Tip: Start with just one platform. If you enjoy writing, start a blog. If you’re comfortable on camera, try YouTube. Don’t spread yourself too thin!

Step 2: Collecting Email Addresses

Once people find your content helpful, they’ll want more. This is when you offer something extra special (we call this a “lead magnet”) in exchange for their email address.

It could be:

• A helpful checklist
• A simple guide
• A mini-course 
• A useful template

Lead Magnet Beginner Tip: Your lead magnet should solve one specific problem. For example, if you’re teaching productivity, offer a “5-Minute Morning Routine Checklist” rather than a vague “Productivity Guide.

Step 3: Building Trust Through Email

Now that you have their email address, you can share more helpful content directly to their inbox. Here’s a simple first email sequence:

Email 1: Welcome and deliver their free resource

Email 2: Share your story and why you care about helping them

Email 3: Share a useful tip they can implement right away

Email 4: Address a common problem and how your product solves it

Email 5: Invite them to try your product

Email Beginner Tip: Write your emails like you’re talking to a friend. No need for fancy business language!

Step 4: Making It Easy to Buy

When someone’s ready to buy your digital product, the process should be simple:

• Clear pricing
• Simple buy button
• Easy checkout process
• Immediate access to their purchase

Purchase Beginner Tip: Start with a simple platform like Flodesk that handles all the technical stuff for you. This has been my platform of choice because not only does it cover my email management but it’s got inbuilt payment via stripe for digital product payments & delivery. 

The Tools You Need to Get Started

You don’t need complicated tools to start. Here’s the basic setup I recommend for beginners:

1. For Your Website

•  Use my platform of choice… Showit for an easy to build, user friendly drag and drop website.
• It’s super easy to use
• No coding required

2. For Collecting Emails

•  Start with Flodesk, they have unlimited emails and unlimited subscribers, forever. 
• Easy to set up forms and emails
• Integrated Flodesk Checkout for payments & delivery. 
• Grows with your business

3. For Selling Your Product

• Flodesk Checkout integrates directly with your email marketing 
• It is connected to Stripe for secure payments and includes unlimited sales. payments and delivery.
• Very beginner-friendly
• Get 50% discount using the EMILYINBUSINESS link or code. (This is a great option if you are serious about your business. I purchased the annual plan using the discount for more savings and it was worth every penny)

Making Your Funnel Work Better Over Time

Simple Things to Track

Keep an eye on:

• How many people visit your website
• How many join your email list
• How many open your emails
• How many buy your product

Analytics Beginner Tip: Don’t get overwhelmed by numbers. Just pick one metric to improve each month.

Common Beginner Questions Answered

“What if no one buys?”

• This is normal at first! Use feedback to improve your offer
• Ask people what they’re struggling with
• Adjust your product to better solve their problems

“How much should I charge?”

• Start with a price that feels slightly uncomfortable
• You can always adjust it later
• Remember: Even $27 products can add up!

“What if I’m not tech-savvy?”

• Start with the simplest tools
• Focus on helping people first
• Learn the tech one step at a time

Your First Week Action Plan

Day 1: Choose your main platform (blog, YouTube, etc.)

Day 2: Set up a simple website on Showit

Day 3: Create your first piece of helpful content

Day 4: Make a simple lead magnet

Day 5: Set up your email collection with Flodesk

Day 6: Write your first welcome email

Day 7: Set up your product on Flodesk Checkout 

Remember This Above All

Your first sales funnel doesn’t need to be perfect. The most important things are:

• Being genuinely helpful
• Starting simple
• Learning from feedback
• Improving one step at a time

Think of it like learning to ride a bike… you start with training wheels, and that’s okay! You’ll get better and more confident with practice. That’s why I always recommend a 12 month commitment with your business. Good things take time… all experts start as beginners! 

Ready to Start?

Begin with this simple checklist:

1. Choose one topic you can help people with

2. Create one helpful piece of content

3. Set up a simple way to collect emails

4. Create a basic digital product

Remember: Every successful digital business started exactly where you are now. Take it one step at a time, and you’ll be amazed at what you can build.