How to Build a Lead Magnet Funnel in Systeme.io (With Examples)

You have traffic coming to your blog or social media profile, but the majority of those visitors leave without a trace. It’s the most common frustration for content creators and digital entrepreneurs. The solution? Capturing their email address before they go.

To do that effectively, you need a Lead Magnet Funnel.

Building a funnel used to require expensive software, multiple subscriptions, and a headache’s worth of technical integrations. Enter Systeme.io. It is arguably one of the most powerful, user-friendly, and cost-effective all-in-one marketing platforms available today. Whether you are giving away a free PDF, a video course, or a discount code, Systeme.io makes the process seamless.

In this guide, we are going to walk you through exactly how to build a high-converting lead magnet funnel in Systeme.io from scratch. We will cover the technical setup, design tips, and automation, and provide real-world examples to get your creative juices flowing.

Table of Contents

1. What is a Lead Magnet Funnel?
2. Why Use Systeme.io for Your Funnel?
3. Step 1: Preparation and Prerequisites
4. Step 2: Creating Your Funnel Container
5. Step 3: Designing the Squeeze Page
6. Step 4: Setting Up the Thank You Page
7. Step 5: Automating the Email Delivery
8. 3 Real-World Examples of Lead Magnet Funnels
9. Common Mistakes to Avoid
10. Conclusion
11. Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Lead Magnet Funnel?

Before we dive into the “buttons and clicks,” let’s clarify what we are building. A lead magnet funnel is a simple two-step website journey designed with one goal: Exchange value for contact information.

The structure usually looks like this:

1. The Squeeze Page (Opt-in Page): A landing page that promotes a free resource (the lead magnet). It has a headline, some bullets, and a form asking for an email address.
2. The Thank You Page: The page the user sees immediately after submitting their email. It confirms the action and tells them what to do next.
3. The Email Automation: The background process that actually delivers the free resource to the user’s inbox.

By using this structure, you aren’t just getting an email address; you are starting a relationship by delivering immediate value.

Why Use Systeme.io for Your Funnel?

There are dozens of funnel builders out there—ClickFunnels, Kartra, Leadpages—so why choose Systeme.io? For most beginners and intermediate marketers, it comes down to simplicity and cost.

Here is a quick breakdown of why Systeme.io stands out for this specific task:

If you are just starting, the ability to build your funnel, host your file, and send the delivery email all from one dashboard without paying a cent is a game-changer.

Step 1: Preparation and Prerequisites

Don’t open the software just yet. To make the building process smooth, you need to have your assets ready. If you try to create the content while building the funnel, you will get overwhelmed.

Checklist before you build:

1. The Lead Magnet File: Have your PDF, eBook, checklist, or video link ready.
2. The Headline: Write a catchy headline that promises a specific result (e.g., “The Ultimate SEO Checklist to Rank #1”).
3. The Copy: Write 3-5 bullet points explaining the benefits of your lead magnet.
4. Graphics: Create a mock-up of your lead magnet. You can use free tools like Canva to create a 3D book cover or a checklist preview. This increases perceived value significantly.

Once you have these files in a folder on your computer, you are ready to log in to Systeme.io.

Step 2: Creating Your Funnel Container

Now, let’s get into the technical setup.

1. Log in to your Systeme.io dashboard.
2. Navigate to the Funnels tab in the top menu.
3. Click the + Create button in the top right corner.

A popup window will appear asking for details.

• Name: Give your funnel a name (e.g., “SEO Checklist Lead Magnet”).
• Domain: Choose your default domain or a custom domain if you have connected one.
• Goal: Select “Build an audience”. This pre-loads the necessary page types for a lead magnet.
• Currency: Select your currency (this doesn’t matter much for free funnels, but it’s required).

Click Save. You will now see your funnel listed. Click on the name of the funnel to enter the editor.

Step 3: Designing the Squeeze Page

On the left-hand side of the funnel dashboard, you will see your “Funnel Steps.” By default, Systeme.io creates a “Squeeze Page” and a “Thank You Page.”

1. Select a Template

Click on the Squeeze Page step. You will be presented with a gallery of templates.

• Tip: Don’t overcomplicate this. The highest converting pages are often the simplest. Look for a template with a clear headline and a prominent form on the right or center.
• Hover over a template and click Select.

2. Enter the Editor

Click the Magic Wand icon (Edit Page) to open the visual builder.

3. Customize the Content

This works like most drag-and-drop builders.

• Text: Click on any text to change it. Paste your Headline and Bullet Points here.
• Images: Click the existing image. On the left sidebar, click the cloud icon to upload the 3D Mockup you created in Canva.
• Form: Ensure the input fields are correct. Usually, “First Name” and “Email” are sufficient.
• Button: Click the submit button. On the left sidebar, look for “Action when button clicked.” Ensure it is set to “Send form”.
• Redirection: Right below the button action, set “Do you want to redirect users after clicking the button?” to “To the next step”. This ensures they go to your Thank You page.

4. Mobile Optimization

Before saving, look at the bottom of the screen and click the Mobile Icon. This shows you how the page looks on phones.

• Crucial: Make sure the font isn’t too huge and the button is easily clickable. You can adjust font sizes specifically for mobile without affecting the desktop version.

Click Save Changes and exit the editor (using the exit arrow in the top right).

Step 4: Setting Up the Thank You Page

Never leave your new subscribers hanging. The Thank You page serves two purposes: confirming the subscription and giving instructions.

1. On the funnel steps menu, click Thank You Page.
2. Select a Template: Choose something simple that matches the branding of your squeeze page.
3. Edit the Page:

   • Change the text to say: “Success! Your guide is on its way to your inbox.”
   • Optional: You can add a button here to “Download Now” directly. However, for better list hygiene, it is often better to force them to check their email. This trains them to open your emails and verifies that the email address they gave you is real.
   • Pro Tip: Add a “Call to Action” (CTA) on this page. For example, invite them to join your Facebook Group or follow you on Instagram while they wait for the email.

Click Save Changes and exit.

Step 5: Automating the Email Delivery

This is the most critical step. If this isn’t set up, your subscribers won’t get their freebie.

We will use Automation Rules to handle this.

1. Go back to your Funnel Dashboard and make sure the Squeeze Page is selected on the left.
2. Click on the Automation Rules tab (above the template preview).
3. Click Add Rule.
4. Select “Funnel Step Form Subscribed”. (This triggers when someone submits the form).
5. Now, click on the rule you just created to edit the actions.

Adding Actions

You need to do two things here: Tag the user and Send the email.

Action 1: Add a Tag

• Click Add Action.
• Select Add a Tag.
• If you haven’t created a tag yet, you might need to go to Contacts > Tags in a new tab to create one (e.g., “Lead Magnet: SEO Checklist”).
• Select your tag from the dropdown. Tagging users allows you to segment them later for specific marketing campaigns.

Action 2: Send Email

• Click Add Action again.
• Select Send Email.
• Click the + (Plus) icon to create a new email right there.
• Subject Line: Make it clear. E.g., “Here is your SEO Checklist [Download Inside]”.
• Body: Write a friendly greeting.

  • “Hi [First_Name],” (You can use variables for personalization).
  • “Thanks for requesting the guide.”
  • The Link: Highlight text like “Click here to download” and link it to your file.
  • Hosting the file: You can upload your PDF directly to Systeme.io using the attachment icon in the email editor, or link to a Google Drive/Dropbox file.

• Click Save.

Once you have added the Tag action and the Email action, click Save Rule.

Congratulations! Your funnel is now live and functional.

3 Real-World Examples of Lead Magnet Funnels

Struggling with what to create? Here are three distinct types of funnels you can build in Systeme.io using the steps above.

1. The “Cheat Sheet” Funnel

• Concept: A one-page PDF summarizing complex information (e.g., “The Keto Diet Food List”).
• Why it works: It offers instant gratification. It’s easy to consume and highly actionable.
• Systeme.io Setup: Very short Squeeze page. The headline should focus on speed (“Get the list in 30 seconds”). The email simply delivers the PDF attachment.

2. The “Mini-Course” Video Series

• Concept: A 3-part video training on a specific skill (e.g., “How to train your puppy to sit in 3 days”).
• Systeme.io Setup:

  • Instead of a PDF, the email links to a hidden page in your funnel (or a Course section in Systeme.io).
  • You create a 3rd page in your funnel called “Video 1”.
  • The email says: “Watch Video 1 Here.”
  • This builds high authority as they spend time watching you.

3. The “Toolkit” Funnel

• Concept: A list of tools and resources you use (e.g., “My $10k/Month Blogging Toolkit”).
• Why it works: People love knowing what tools experts use. It’s also a great way to include affiliate links inside the PDF you deliver.
• Systeme.io Setup: Similar to the Cheat Sheet, but the Thank You page can include a video of you explaining why these tools are important, further building connection.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even with a tool as easy as Systeme.io, things can go wrong. Watch out for these pitfalls:

1. Using a “Generic” Email Address
Systeme.io requires you to use a professional email address (e.g., name@yourdomain.com) to send emails. If you try to run your automation using a Gmail or Yahoo address, your delivery rates will plummet, and emails will land in Spam.

2. Forgetting Mobile View
70% of your traffic might come from mobile. If your headline is cut off or your button is off-screen on a phone, you are losing leads. Always check the mobile view in the editor.

3. Asking for Too Much Info
Do not ask for a phone number, last name, or website URL unless absolutely necessary. Every extra field decreases your conversion rate. Stick to First Name and Email.

4. Not Testing the Funnel
Before you share your link, open an Incognito window and sign up for your own funnel. Did you get the Thank You page? Did the email arrive? Did the download link work? Test everything.

Conclusion

Building a lead magnet funnel doesn’t need to be a week-long project. With Systeme.io, you can realistically go from “idea” to “collecting leads” in under an hour.

The power of this strategy lies in automation. Once you set this up—build the page, write the email, upload the file—it works for you 24/7. You can be sleeping, traveling, or working on other projects, and your Systeme.io funnel will continue to greet new visitors and turn them into subscribers.

So, what are you waiting for? Grab your lead magnet file, log in to Systeme.io, and start building your audience today.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is Systeme.io really free?
Yes. The “Freemium” plan allows you to have up to 2,000 contacts, 3 sales funnels, and send unlimited emails. It is completely sufficient for setting up your first lead magnet funnel.

2. Can I use my own domain name?
Absolutely. Even on the free plan, you can connect one custom domain (e.g., www.yourname.com) so your funnel looks professional.

3. What is the difference between a Campaign and a Workflow?
In Systeme.io, “Campaigns” are sequences of emails sent over days (Drip content). “Workflows” are visual maps of automation (If X happens, do Y). For a simple lead magnet, you usually just need a single “Automation Rule” to send one email, which is simpler than both campaigns and workflows.

4. How do I get traffic to my funnel?
Once your funnel is built, you can put the link in your Instagram bio, mention it in your YouTube videos, write SEO blog posts (like this one!) that link to it, or run paid ads.

5. Why are my emails going to the spam folder?
This often happens if you are sending from a free email provider (like Gmail) or if you haven’t authenticated your domain (set up DKIM/SPF records). Systeme.io has guides on how to authenticate your domain to improve deliverability.

6. Can I host the PDF file directly on Systeme.io?
Yes, inside the email editor, there is an attachment button. However, for larger files (like videos), it is better to host them on YouTube (unlisted) or use the specialized “Course” feature within Systeme.io.

Fash ViRal

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