Let’s be honest: "Sales Funnels" sound complicated.
You imagine complex diagrams, expensive software, and lines of code that look like The Matrix. But here is the reasonable truth: A sales funnel is just a fancy name for a few web pages connected together.
In this guide, I am going to hold your hand and show you exactly how to build your first funnel using Systeme.io in less than 20 minutes—without spending a single dime.
No credit card. No coding. Just results.
Step 1: Get Your Free Account (The Right Way)
First, you need the tool. As we mentioned in our in-depth Systeme.io Review, this is the only platform that gives you a "Free Forever" plan with all the features we need.
Enter your email address.
Confirm your email.
Pro Tip: You don’t need to enter payment details. If you see a page asking for money, you clicked the wrong button. Stick to the free plan for now.
"As we mentioned in our in-depth Systeme.io Review...".
Step 2: Understanding the "Bridge Funnel"
We aren't going to build a massive website. We are building a simple 2-Page Funnel. This is the secret weapon of affiliate marketers.
Page 1 (Squeeze Page): We offer something free (like a checklist or video) in exchange for their email.
Page 2 (Thank You / Bridge Page): We deliver the free thing and recommend a product (affiliate offer).
Step 3: Building The "Squeeze Page"
Once you log in to your dashboard:
Click on Funnels in the top menu.
Click Create.
Name it "My First Funnel" and choose "Build an Audience".
Pick a Template: Don’t overthink this. Choose a simple template. The ugly ones often convert better than the pretty ones!
The Editor: Systeme.io uses a "Drag and Drop" editor. It works just like PowerPoint.
Click on text to change it.
Drag an "Image" block to add a picture.
Crucial: Make sure the button action is set to "Send form" and then "To the next step". This saves their email and moves them forward.
Step 4: The "Thank You" Page
After they enter their email, they land here.
Select the "Thank You Page" step on the left menu.
Choose a simple template.
Edit the page: Add a button that says "Click Here to Get The Offer".
Link the button: Paste your affiliate link (for whatever product you are selling) into this button.
Making It Look Professional (Custom Domain)
By default, your link will look something like yourname.systeme.io. This is fine for testing, but if you want people to trust you, you need a custom domain (like yourname.com).
The good news? Systeme.io lets you connect a custom domain even on the Free Plan.
Most competitors charge extra for this. To do it:
Go to Settings > Custom Domains.
Add your domain (bought from Namecheap or GoDaddy).
Follow the simple DNS instructions they provide. It takes 10 minutes and makes your business look 100% legitimate.
Step 5: The "Silent Salesman" (Email Automation)
This is where the magic happens. You collected their email in Step 3. Now, let’s send them emails automatically.
Go to Emails > Campaigns.
Create a new campaign named "Welcome Series".
Add an email.
Subject: "Here is your free gift!"
Body: Introduce yourself, give them the free thing you promised, and put your affiliate link again.
Save and Publish.
Now, every time someone signs up, Systeme.io will send this email for you while you sleep.
Step 6: How to Feed the Funnel (Getting Traffic)
You have built the car, now you need gas. A funnel without traffic is useless. Since we are on a $0 budget, here is how to get free traffic to your new Squeeze Page:
TikTok / Reels: Make simple videos about the problem your product solves and put the link in your bio.
Pinterest: Create pins linking to your landing page.
Facebook Groups: Don't spam. Help people in groups related to your niche, and if they ask for help, share your link.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is Systeme.io really free forever? Yes. The free plan has no time limit. You only need to upgrade if you need more than 2,000 email contacts (which means you are already making money).
Q: Can I use this for dropshipping? Yes, Systeme.io allows you to sell physical products, but it is primarily designed for digital products, courses, and affiliate marketing.
Q: Is it better than ClickFunnels? For beginners? Absolutely. ClickFunnels costs $147/month. Systeme.io does 90% of the same things for $0. It’s the "Reasonable" choice.
Reasonable Verdict: Just Start Today
You can read about swimming for years, but you won't learn until you jump in the pool.
Building a funnel is a skill that can change your life. And with Systeme.io, the cost of entry is $0. You have no excuses left.