Why Most Funnels Fail (Spoiler: They Weren’t Built for You)

Let’s get something straight: most funnels fail not because your offer sucks, or your ads aren’t working, or Mercury’s in retrograde (though… maybe). They fail because you’re using a funnel built for someone else’s business.

Most of the “guru funnels” floating around are one-size-fits-none templates, slapped together with zero regard for your business model, niche, or customer psychology. It’s like trying to race a tricycle in the Daytona 500. You might make it around the track, but you’re gonna get smoked — and look ridiculous doing it.

Different businesses require different strategies. The way someone sells a $27 skincare serum is not how you sell a $5K coaching package or get locals to show up at your yoga studio on Tuesday at 3PM. Buyer intent, traffic temperature, decision cycles — it all changes based on what you sell, who you sell it to, and how they find you.

That’s why funnels shouldn’t be copied — they should be customized.

Your funnel needs to be as unique as your offer. That means aligning the structure, messaging, and automation to the way your audience buys. Not just what looks good on a whiteboard or what some influencer said worked for their cousin's dropshipping biz.

So if you’ve been wondering why your funnel isn’t converting, or worse — you’re getting leads who ghost, bounce, or flat-out ghost you — it’s probably not you.

It’s the funnel. And it’s time to fix it.

Starting with one of the most misunderstood, fast-paced funnel types out there: e-commerce.

E-Commerce: The Speed-Dating Funnel That Gets the Swipe

E-commerce funnels aren’t about long courtships. They’re about catching attention fast, sparking interest instantly, and making the sale before your customer scrolls back to their cat memes.

In the e-com world, it’s all about speed, simplicity, and psychological momentum. You’ve got seconds to hook them, minutes to convert them, and days to bring them back if they ghost the cart.

Here’s our go-to strategy:
Hit them with a product page that sells, not just “shows.” No fluff. No 13-paragraph origin stories. Just high-impact visuals, trust-building social proof, and a CTA that screams, “YES, I NEED THIS.”

Then? Upsells. Always upsells. Think impulse-level upgrades: bundles, add-ons, VIP shipping, “buy one more for 20% off.” If you’re not stacking average order value, you’re leaving money on the digital table.

But what happens when they bounce? That’s where the abandon cart flow steps in. We run email and SMS follow-ups like it’s a digital rescue mission. Short, persuasive, and timed for maximum re-engagement. GHL handles SMS and automation; Klaviyo is our go-to for advanced flows.

Bonus points? Add a quiz funnel upfront. Want to personalize the product experience and boost conversions? Ask a few fun, strategic questions and match the shopper to their perfect product. It’s like Tinder for your inventory — and it works.

E-com is a volume game, but it’s also about clarity. Every second counts. Every click matters. And your funnel better be ready to move fast and close hard.

Because in this game? The one who guides the buyer quickest — wins.

Next up? The opposite funnel energy: high-ticket coaching and consulting, where trust is the name of the game.

Coaches & Consultants: The Trust Funnel That Sells YOU First

Here’s the truth no one wants to say out loud: If you’re a coach or consultant, YOU are the product.

Before they buy your program, book your high-ticket package, or invest in your expertise — they need to believe in you. Not just your knowledge. Your energy. Your story. Your authority. Your process. Your vibe.

That’s why the funnel for coaches isn’t about fast conversions — it’s about deep trust.

We build what I call the Trust Funnel:
Start with a high-value lead magnet. Not a lame checklist. Something that solves a specific problem your dream client is actively Googling right now. We use that to spark awareness — and get them into the funnel.

Next, we drop them into a nurture sequence that feels like a warm convo, not a corporate newsletter. Stories, vulnerability, belief-breaking shifts. We want them thinking, “Damn… this person gets me.”

Then comes the VSL or webinar. This is your stage. Your soapbox. Your permission to lead. It’s where you show them why they’re stuck, what’s possible, and how your framework bridges that gap. You don’t have to oversell — you just have to lead with clarity and authority.

The conversion point? An application funnel. That’s right — they apply to talk to you, not the other way around. GoHighLevel handles the CRM, email, and booking flow. And for an unfair advantage? Loom video follow-ups. Personalized replies = 3x more show-ups and 10x more “wow, I need this” moments.

This funnel doesn’t chase. It pulls people in by building belief. And when belief is high, sales get easy.

Now let’s flip it again — and talk about local businesses that need real humans walking through the door.

Local Brick & Mortar: The “Get Butts in Seats” Funnel

Local businesses don’t care about pixels and click-throughs. They care about people showing up.

Whether you run a restaurant, a dental clinic, a gym, or a boutique — your funnel’s job is simple: generate leads, get them in the door, and bring them back.

And no — this doesn’t mean running a Facebook ad to your homepage and praying for walk-ins. That’s just setting your money on fire with a smile.

Here’s how we do it right:

We start with a local lead magnet. Think irresistible offer — like a free trial, discount coupon, or limited-time consult. Something easy to say yes to. We run this through a geo-targeted FB or IG ad (built inside Business Manager, of course) that only hits people within 5–10 miles of your location.

Click the ad, land on a clean GHL opt-in page, and boom — you’ve got a lead.

Then we hit them with the holy trinity of follow-up: email, SMS, and call reminders. HighLevel’s automation does the heavy lifting. We confirm appointments, send directions, even remind them to bring the coupon or promo code.

Need to book those consults directly? GHL’s calendar tool makes it frictionless. And yes — we track every lead and booking back to the ad. Because what gets measured gets monetized.

But here’s the kicker: we layer on retargeting ads using location data and behavior. Someone clicks but doesn’t book? They start seeing ads reminding them why they wanted to come in. All for less than $10/day.

And for in-store action? QR codes that trigger special offers or upsells post-visit — boosting repeat traffic on autopilot.

This funnel gets real butts in real seats. And it does it without burning your team out or relying on walk-in luck.

Next: Let’s talk digital product empires — course creators, you’re up.

Course Creators: The Evergreen Launch Machine

If you sell digital courses, your funnel better do more than collect emails — it needs to educate, build authority, and sell on repeat.

Here’s the thing: most course creators either burn out launching live every month, or they try to “set and forget” with an evergreen funnel that ends up as cold as a soggy breakfast burrito. We fix that with what I call the Evergreen Launch Machine — a funnel that runs 24/7 but feels like a high-energy live event.

It starts with a lead magnet, but not just a boring PDF. Think: a valuable mini-course, insider script, or tool that gives your audience an immediate win and preps them for your signature solution.

Once they’re in, we drop them into a structured indoctrination email series that delivers mini-teaches, handles common objections, and builds trust. These aren’t filler emails — they’re high-converting assets disguised as value bombs.

Then comes the webinar. Live or evergreen — either works, but we lean evergreen for scale. You walk them through the problem, the plan, and the payoff (your course). This is your moment to teach and sell, not pitch and pray.

The post-webinar funnel drives urgency. We use tools like Deadline Funnel to create real-time scarcity. Sprinkle in retargeted video testimonials between steps — real humans saying “This changed my life” — and conversions start climbing.

Teachable, Kajabi, or HighLevel handles delivery. You handle the income.

This isn’t about launching harder. It’s about launching smarter — and never again wondering where your next student is coming from.

Now let’s talk about the agency and service providers who need clients locking in before they even get on the call.

Agencies & Service Pros: The “Get Paid Before You Lift a Finger” Funnel

If you run an agency or high-ticket service business, this is your funnel: the authority-first, no-freebie, paid-to-talk path.

We’re not here to chase leads or offer endless free strategy calls. We’re here to filter, pre-sell, and only talk to people who are qualified — and ready to invest.

Here’s how it works:

We start with a case study opt-in. This isn’t just “Look how great we are” — it’s a focused breakdown of a real result for a real client that mirrors your ideal lead’s situation. It’s social proof with strategy baked in.

Next up: the VSL — a 5–10 minute video that gives your viewer the “ah-ha” moment. You break down the framework, reveal the gap in their current process, and show exactly how your service bridges that gap.

Then comes the application funnel. If they want to work with you? They fill it out. No calendar yet. Just qualifying questions that weed out tire-kickers and warm up the serious buyers.

If they pass? They book a call, powered by GHL or Calendly. And here’s where we level up: before the call, we send a “pre-call homework” form. This gets buy-in, clarity, and intentionality — which boosts your close rate by 25–40% instantly.

Want to charge for that call? Do it. Want to lock in a discovery project up front? Stripe’s got you covered. Vimeo or GHL handles the video. The rest runs on autopilot.

No more convincing. No more chasing. Just qualified leads who already know why you’re the right choice.

That’s the funnel we build for agency pros ready to stop begging and start banking.

Now let’s figure out which of these funnels actually fits you...

Your Custom Funnel Blueprint: Which Funnel Fits YOU?

Here’s the mic-drop moment: There is no universal funnel. There is only the right funnel for your business, audience, and offer.

That’s what the gurus never tell you. They’ll hand you cookie-cutter templates, generic frameworks, and one-size-fits-all swipe files that might’ve worked in 2017… but are useless for where you are now.

You need a funnel that fits like your favorite hoodie: warm, profitable, and irresistible.

You might be an e-com seller who needs to drive impulse buys.
A coach ready to charge $5K+ per client.
A course creator scaling to evergreen sales.
A local biz trying to get butts in seats.
Or a service provider done with free calls and “hope” marketing.

Whatever your model — you need a funnel built for how your people buy.
We specialize in mapping that out.

Want to know which funnel type is right for you? Take the Funnel Type Quiz (link it here).
Ready for custom clarity? Book a Funnel Mapping Session, and we’ll show you exactly what to build, how it flows, and what tools will make it seamless.

Because you don’t need another funnel template.
You need a plan that prints money because it fits YOU.

Let’s build it together.