BUSINESS

What the Heck is a Funnel Anyway...?!?

BY JESSICA | 23 SEPT 24

So, you’re sitting there,minding your own business, maybe sipping a latte, and you come across the term “funnel” in some marketing article. Naturally, your first thought is, “Wait, what the heck is a funnel?” It’s one of those buzzwords that seems to pop up everywhere in marketing, yet no one explains it clearly.

And no, we’re not talking about that cake you bake once a year, using that special cooking tool. We’re talking about a game-changing tool for your business. If you’ve been relying on your website to convert visitors into paying customers, it’s time to rethink that strategy. Funnels could be the secret sauce you’re missing.

Let’s break this down in a way that makes sense (without the jargon), so you can see why funnels might just be the secret weapon your business needs.

What Even is a Funnel?

Alright, let’s keep it simple. A funnel is like a well-planned road trip. You start at point A (your potential customer’s first interaction) and guide them to point B (the action you want them to take—whether that’s buying your product, signing up for your newsletter, or downloading your freebie).

Unlike a website, where visitors can wander around aimlessly, a funnel is more like a GPS—directing people toward a specific destination.

No unnecessary detours: Funnels guide visitors through a series of steps designed to push them toward one main action.
Laser-focused: There’s no wandering around or getting lost in all the possibilities. The goal is crystal clear.
It’s all about leading people down a path that ends in something valuable for both you and them—like making a purchase or opting into your email list.

  • No unnecessary detours: Funnels guide visitors through a series of steps designed to push them toward one main action.
  • Laser-Focused:  There’s no wandering around or getting lost in all the possibilities. The goal is crystal clear.

It’s all about leading people down a path that ends in something valuable for both you and them—like making a purchase or signing up for your email list.

Okay, But What's a Website Then?

Ah, the website—your business’s digital storefront. Don’t get me wrong, websites are great. They’re like the welcome center of your brand. You can find a little bit of everything there: who you are, what you sell, blog posts, product descriptions, customer reviews—the works.

  • It’s informative: Websites give people a chance to learn about your brand. But they don’t necessarily guide people to a specific action.
  • It’s passive: Visitors can come and go as they please, and sometimes they leave without doing much of anything.

While your website is a great hub of information, it’s not built to nurture potential customers or lead them step-by-step toward a sale.

Website

  • Offers a variety of information
  • Encourages customer browsing
  • Full of distractions, more than one goal
  • Typically has lower conversions

Funnel

  • Zeros in one one action (like a laser)
  • Guides you step-by-step
  • Removes distractions, focuses on one goal
  • Built to convert, every step of the way

Websites leave room for indecision, while funnels drive focus and action.

Why Funnels Crush Websites in Conversions

Here’s where funnels really shine. Let’s say someone visits your website. They might look around, check out a few pages, maybe skim through a blog post, but chances are, they’ll leave without taking action. You’ve got all this great content, but nothing’s guiding them toward the result you want.

With a funnel, though, everything is set up to convert:

  • One goal, one path: Funnels focus on getting people to take one specific action—whether that’s signing up, purchasing, or downloading. That singular focus increases your chances of converting visitors.
  • Fewer distractions: Because funnels eliminate unnecessary choices, visitors are more likely to follow through on what you want them to do.
  • Optimization: Funnels let you track every step of the process. You can test, tweak, and improve until you get the best possible results.

In a nutshell, while websites are informative, funnels are designed to convert.

Why Would I Want to Direct People Toward Just One Thing?

Ah, the classic question! If your business has a variety of products or services, why would you want to focus on just one thing? Here’s the deal: too many choices lead to no choice.

Imagine your funnel as one of the key stops on your road trip. You pull into a massive rest stop that has 10 different restaurants, five gas stations, a gift shop, and even a mini amusement park. You’re hungry and tired, but now you’re overwhelmed. So, instead of choosing something, you leave and grab a snack later.

That’s what happens to visitors on a website with too many options—they get overwhelmed and leave without doing anything.

​Funnels work because they simplify the decision-making process. Instead of throwing all your offers at someone, you guide them toward one clear action. And guess what? Once they’ve taken that action, you can introduce your other products or services later.

  • You can create multiple funnels for different offers, each tailored to a specific audience.
  • Funnels build trust: After someone takes the first step, they’re more likely to engage with other parts of your business.
  • Focused funnels = better results: When people aren’t distracted, they’re more likely to take action.

Confusing decision to choose between a lot of choices

OR

One clear easy decision

So... Should You Ditch Your Website for a Funnel?

Whoa, hold up! I’m not saying you should torch your website (relax, it’s safe). Your website still serves a purpose, especially for brand building, sharing content, and giving people a place to explore.

​But if you’re serious about growing your business and increasing conversions, a funnel is where the magic happens. Funnels let you:

  • Build relationships with your audience by guiding them through a curated journey.
  • Focus on a singular goal—like sales, leads, or sign-ups—without distractions
  • Track and measure every step so you can optimize for better results.

So, no need to ditch the website—just start shifting your focus to creating funnels for the offers you really want people to take action on.

How to Start Using Funnels (It’s Not That Hard, I Promise)

By now, you might be thinking, “Okay, I get it, funnels are cool. But where do I start?” Honestly, it’s not as complicated as it sounds. You can build a basic funnel in a few simple steps:

1.

Create a Lead Magnet: Offer something irresistible (like a free guide, checklist, or discount) in exchange for someone’s email.

2.

Set Up an Email Sequence: Follow up with a few targeted emails that build trust and offer value.

3.

Make Your Offer: Once they’re warmed up, hit them with an offer they can’t resist—whether it’s a product, service, or membership.

And if you want to dive deeper into how funnels can transform your business, check out my Funnel Design Secrets ebook. It’s packed with actionable tips to help you get started on the right foot.

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Until we chat again,

xoxo,

​Jessica

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Hey, I'm Jessica Marie, obsessed with turning ordinary spaces into something beautiful. From a clean layout to compelling color design. I'm all about creating visuals that evoke emotion in your audience—similar to walking into a well decorated home!

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An Interior Decorator’s Funnel Design Checklist

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