Thinkific Funnels: Free Download Funnel

Utilize Free Download Funnels to grow your list of qualified leads by offering a free digital download as a lead magnet.

Please note that as of August 26th, the Free Download Funnel will be deprecated and you will no longer be able to create new funnels with the Free Download Funnel feature. Instead, can use the enhanced Digital Downloads product to collect leads and generate revenue!

If you have a published Free Download Funnel you’ll still be able to view, access, and edit it as needed, but can no longer create new funnels.

About This Feature

The Free Download Funnel is designed specifically to bolster your lead generation efforts as a Creator by enticing potential learners with a free digital download. By strategically leveraging this feature, you can efficiently cultivate a list of potential learners who have shown genuine interest in your offerings and effectively transform them into valuable prospects for future engagement.

How to Create a Free Download Funnel

Please note that as of August 26th, the Free Download Funnel will be deprecated and you will no longer be able to create new funnels with the Free Download Funnel feature. Instead, can use the enhanced Digital Downloads product to collect leads and generate revenue!

If you have a published Free Download Funnel you’ll still be able to view, access, and edit it as needed, but can no longer create new funnels.

Follow the set-up prompts to create your new funnel as it guides you step-by-step through creating a funnel flow. Once you have completed the set-up, the prompts will generate a separate landing page and a funnel flowchart for your Free Download Funnel.

Select Market & Sell then Funnels from your Thinkific Admin Dashboard
Click + Create Funnel then, Choose the Free Download Funnel
Select a Resource Type to offer for free from the dropdown menu and click Next.
It is important that the resource be relevant to your audience, provide value, and leave your audience wanting more.
Click Browse File to upload your lead magnet, choose a file, and click Upload.
All file types are supported except for dmg., exe., svg., and html. Max size: 250MB
Optional: Click Use Different File if you want to change your offering
Optional: Select an upsell offer using the drop-down menu and click Next.
Boost your revenue by offering a one-time offer on the lead magnet download page. We recommend choosing a low-priced product that will complement the free digital download.
Input information about your target audience in the textbox provided and click Next.
Share details about who they are, what makes them tick, what motivates them, etc. The more details you provide, the better!
Input information about what problem(s) your free resource is trying to solve in the textbox provided and click Next.
Provide details about the challenges or frustrations your students commonly experience and how this resource can help them.
Input information about the outcome students can expect from the free resource in the textbox provided and click Done.
What will students learn from the free content? How will the resource benefit them? What specific blockers will students overcome?
Click Done to create your funnel

How to Edit and Customize Your Funnel

Once a funnel flowchart has been generated you will be directed to the Funnels Flow tab where you can customize the content at each stage of the funnel to align with your brand. Funnel stages with text copy requiring customization will be marked with an Action required: review content prompt.

Stay tuned as we work hard to bring you more ways to customize your funnel.

Funnel Settings

The funnel settings tab allows you to change your lead magnet type and lead magnet file after the funnel has been created. You can also export a .csv file of new leads that have signed up through your funnel.

How to Update Your Lead Magnet and Magnet Type

Select the Settings tab from your Free Download Funnel Flow page
Use the dropdown header under Resource Type to change your lead magnet type
Click Use Different File and Upload a new file to change your lead magnet file
Click Save

How to Update Your One Time Offer Up Sell

Select the Settings tab from your Free Download Funnel Flow page
Select an upsell product from the upsell product dropdown menu
Optional: Adjust the discount percentage
Click Save

How to Delete a Funnel

Before you delete your funnel, make sure to remove any URLs from your marketing activities that would direct traffic toward the funnel, as it will no longer be accessible. Once you delete a funnel, it cannot be recovered.

Go to your Funnel Settings
Click Delete This Funnel
Check-off I have removed all top of funnel references to this funnel's URL
Click Delete Funnel

Lead Capture Page

A lead capture page, also known as a landing page, is a web page designed with the primary goal of capturing the contact information of visitors, typically in exchange for a specific offer or valuable content. The purpose of a lead capture page is to convert website visitors into leads by enticing them to provide their email addresses or other relevant contact information. These pages often feature a compelling headline, concise copy, a call-to-action, and a form where visitors can input their details.

How to Add and Edit Header and Footer on Your Page

Click on Page Settings in the top right corner of your page
Select Page Layout then choose Header, Content, Footer
Click Save
Click Edit Header
Add or update your header Links and Design
Click Apply Changes
Click Edit Footer
Update your footer Design
Click Apply Changes

How to Edit Text on Your Page

Click on any text box on your landing page
Customize the text to align with your brand
Optional: Use the integrated AI Text Generator to fine-tune your text
Click Save

Download Page with One Time Offer

The download page lets you acknowledge and express gratitude to your new leads while allowing them to download your free offer. You also have an option to upsell another product of your choosing at a discount.

How to Add and Edit Header and Footer on Your Page

Click on Page Settings in the top right corner of your page
Select Page Layout then choose Header, Content, Footer
Click Save
Click Edit Header
Add or update your header Links and Design
Click Apply Changes
Click Edit Footer
Update your footer Design
Click Apply Changes

How to Edit Text on Your Page

Click on any text box on your landing page
Customize the text to align with your brand
Optional: Use the integrated AI Text Generator to fine-tune your text
Click Save

How to Update an Upsell Offer Image

Click on the media field on your download page
Select Upload
Click Select Files to Upload
Select the image you want to use and click Open
Optional: Crop, circle, or rotate the image then click Save
Click Upload and then Apply

Checkout Page

This is a standard checkout page. Publish the funnel and go through it in an incognito tab to view this step.

Thank You Page

This thank you page is your school’s default thank you page. Changes made to your default thank you page within Site Builder are not specific to this funnel and will be reflected in all products purchased through your school.

How to Preview, Publish, and Share Your Funnel

After customizing your funnel, you can easily publish it by toggling on the Publish Funnel toggle located at the top right of the page. Once activated, you can share your funnel URL directly to Facebook, X (Twitter), LinkedIn, or any social platform.

You also have the option to Preview Funnel to see your funnel from the student experience. To test your funnel, you will need to create a test student account and sign up through your funnel as a lead capture.

Learn more about How to Create a Test Student Account