How To Make A Sales Funnel For Ebook [September 2025 Update]

Ebook authors and publishers face unique challenges in attracting readers, showcasing content value, and converting browsers into buyers in an increasingly crowded digital marketplace. A well-designed sales funnel can help authors promote their expertise, build anticipation, and sell more copies while collecting valuable reader information for future launches. This guide will show you how to build, market, and implement a sales funnel specifically for your ebook.

If you're an author, publisher, or information marketer looking to increase ebook sales and build a loyal reader base, there are several excellent platforms that can help you build effective ebook-focused sales funnels without requiring extensive technical knowledge.

The first step to making your ebook sales funnel is choosing the right platform. However, selecting from numerous options can be overwhelming, especially when you're focused on writing and content creation. Keep reading this guide to see our suggested picks and a step-by-step guide to making a sales funnel for your ebook.

The Best Platforms For Ebook Sales Funnels

When choosing a platform for your ebook sales funnel, you need specific features that address the unique needs of digital product selling. The ideal platform should include preview content delivery, secure digital fulfillment, upsell capabilities, and reader engagement tools. It should also help you collect reader information for future book launches and related products. Based on these requirements, we've ranked the top 5 platforms for ebook sales funnels:

1. ClickFunnels

Get started with ClickFunnels (Free Trial) 🚀

ClickFunnels offers authors a comprehensive solution with templates specifically designed for digital product sales. Its drag-and-drop interface makes it easy to create multi-step funnels that showcase book content, collect reader information, and process payments securely. ClickFunnels excels at order bumps and one-click upsells that can significantly increase the value of each reader by offering complementary resources or courses. It provides a 14-day free trial to test all features.

2. Leadpages

Get Started with Leadpages (Free Trial) 🚀

Leadpages offers user-friendly templates ideal for book marketing and lead generation. Its alert bars and pop-ups are effective for promoting book launches, special pricing, or bonus content offers. Leadpages makes it easy to create lead magnets such as “Chapter Previews” or “Companion Workbooks” that provide value while capturing reader information for your email list.

3. Unbounce

Get started with Unbounce (Free Trial) 🚀

Unbounce provides authors with highly customizable landing pages perfect for specific book genres or reader interests. Its Smart Traffic feature automatically directs potential readers to the landing page variant where they're most likely to convert based on their specific interests. Unbounce excels at A/B testing different book presentations and offers to optimize conversion rates.

4. Thrive Architect

Get Started with Thrive Architect (One-time Payment) 🚀

Thrive Architect is a WordPress plugin offering conversion-focused templates ideal for book sales. Its specialized elements like countdown timers, testimonial showcases, and pricing tables are particularly valuable for book launch campaigns. The one-time payment model can be cost-effective for authors looking to minimize recurring expenses while maximizing book promotion capabilities.

5. Elementor

Get started with Elementor (Free Version Available) 🚀

Elementor provides WordPress users with a flexible platform to create custom book sales funnels. Its content preview features, reader testimonial showcases, and author bio sections are particularly suited for book marketing. The platform's free version offers sufficient functionality for many authors just getting started with digital marketing, with the Pro version adding features like popup builders and advanced form widgets.

Conclusion

After evaluating multiple platforms, ClickFunnels stands out as the best choice for ebook sales due to its comprehensive approach combining content showcasing, secure delivery, and upsell capabilities in one integrated system. While it requires a monthly investment, the potential return through increased book sales and reader value can quickly justify the cost.

However, if you're working with a limited budget or already have a WordPress website, Elementor's free version provides an excellent starting point with many essential features for showcasing your ebook.

Now that we have identified our top choice, let's show you how to make an ebook sales funnel using ClickFunnels.

How to Make a Sales Funnel for Ebooks Using ClickFunnels

Building an effective ebook sales funnel involves showcasing your content's value, building authority, and creating a seamless purchase process. The following steps will guide you through making a funnel that converts browsers into buyers and builds your reader base.

Step 1: Sign Up for ClickFunnels

Create your account and take advantage of the 14-day free trial to explore all features before committing.

Step 2: Define Your Book Marketing Strategy

Before building your funnel:

Clarify your book's unique value proposition and key benefits
Identify your ideal reader profile and their pain points
Determine your pricing strategy and special offer approach
Gather compelling testimonials and endorsements
Select powerful excerpts for preview content
This clarity will guide your funnel messaging and conversion approach

Step 3: Make Your Book Preview Landing Page

Add a compelling headline highlighting the primary promise of your book
Include a professional book cover image or 3D mockup
Add bullet points showcasing key benefits and what readers will learn
Feature testimonials or endorsements from readers or influencers
Offer a valuable lead magnet (free chapter, companion worksheet, etc.)
Create a simple form to capture name and email
Include credibility elements like your bio and expertise
Add social proof like download numbers or awards

Step 4: Design Your Lead Magnet Delivery Page

After prospects submit their information:

Thank them for their interest in your book
Provide immediate access to your promised preview content
Include additional information about what makes your book unique
Add a brief video introducing yourself and the book's origin story
Feature a limited-time special offer for the complete book
Make it easy to purchase directly from this page
Include additional reader testimonials addressing common objections

Step 5: Build Your Book Sales Page

Create a comprehensive presentation of your book:

Include an expanded book description with emotional hooks
Show the table of contents or chapter outline
Feature multiple testimonials from different reader perspectives
Include “who this book is for” and “who this book is not for” sections
Address frequently asked questions about format, length, and delivery
Show the regular price crossed out with the special offer price
Add urgency elements like limited bonuses or time-limited pricing
Make the purchase button prominent with clear value statement

Step 6: Optimize Your Checkout Process

Improve conversion at the critical purchase stage:

Simplify the checkout form to essential fields only
Add trust badges and security reassurances
Include testimonial snippets focusing on value and transformation
Offer multiple payment options (credit card, PayPal)
Create mobile-friendly payment flows
Add order bumps for complementary resources
Ensure seamless digital delivery instructions

Step 7: Make One-Click Upsell Pages

Configure post-purchase offers:

Offer complementary books or resources
Create course or coaching upsells based on the book content
Present extended editions with additional chapters or workbooks
Enable one-click purchasing that doesn't require re-entering payment information
Design upsell pages explaining how the additional offers enhance the main book
Include customer testimonials specific to the upsell products
Test different price points and offers to maximize acceptance

Step 8: Implement Reader Follow-up Sequences

Develop automated email campaigns for:

New reader welcome and book access instructions
Reading schedule suggestions with chapter highlights
Additional tips and insights not included in the book
Implementation guidance and success stories
Invitations to reader community or discussion groups
Bonus content delivery at strategic intervals
Feedback and review requests

Step 9: Make Genre or Topic-Specific Funnels

Create separate funnel paths for different reader interests:

Specific topics or themes within your book
Different reader experience levels or backgrounds
Various applications of your book's content
Each with tailored messaging, testimonials, and specific benefit highlights

Step 10: Build Your Reader Community and Engagement System

Design strategies for deepening reader relationships:

Discussion group or forum invitations
Implementation challenges based on book content
Live Q&A sessions or webinars
Reader success story collection
Bonus content access for engaged readers
Advanced application opportunities
Early access to future books or content

Step 11: Develop Your Book Launch Sequence

Create specific campaign elements for your launch period:

Pre-launch interest building
Early-bird pricing offers
Launch-day special bonuses
Limited-time bundles with other products
Contest or challenge components
Affiliate or partner promotion coordination
Deadline-driven conversion elements

Step 12: Measure, Track, and Optimize

Monitor key metrics to continuously improve performance:

Landing page conversion rates by traffic source
Preview content engagement metrics
Sales page conversion percentages
Upsell and cross-sell acceptance rates
Customer acquisition cost vs. customer value
Email sequence open and click rates
Review and testimonial generation success

By following these steps with ClickFunnels, authors can make an effective sales funnel that showcases their ebook's value, captures reader information, processes sales efficiently, and maximizes revenue through strategic upsells. This systematic approach helps authors build not just book sales but a sustainable platform for future publishing success.