How to Create an Application Funnel

An Application Funnel, also known as a Phone Funnel or Coaching High Ticket Funnel, is designed to pre-qualify leads before they speak with you or your team. It helps filter serious prospects through an application form, often followed by a scheduled call so that you can focus on high-value conversations. Application funnels work well for high ticket coaching programs, services, or offers that require a more personalized sales approach. In this article, you’ll learn how to build and customize your Application Funnel using ClickFunnels.

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Requirements

• An active ClickFunnels account

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How Application Funnels Work

Application Funnels are designed to guide visitors through a simple, focused process that helps you gather key details before connecting with them directly. This funnel type works especially well for businesses that rely on qualifying leads before offering a consultation, strategy call, or high-ticket service. By collecting information upfront, you can identify who’s a good fit for your offer and prioritize your time around the most promising leads.

Unlike a traditional sales funnel that focuses on pitching an offer directly, an Application Funnel is ideal for high-ticket programs or services where a conversation is needed before the sale. This allows you to learn more about each prospect’s needs, goals, and level of interest. Businesses use Application Funnels in different ways. For example, coaches might ask about current challenges and desired outcomes, while an agency may request budget and project timelines. Some users include a calendar booking step after the application, while others prefer to follow up manually.

This setup helps reduce unqualified calls, shorten the sales cycle, and create a more focused conversation when you do connect with a lead. It also adds a layer of professionalism and positions your offer as more exclusive, which can increase perceived value.

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Understanding the Application Funnel Structure

An application funnel is built to move potential clients through a short series of steps that help you learn more about them before getting on a call. Each page in the funnel has a clear purpose: collect details, qualify the lead, and guide them toward the next step in your process. An Application funnel typically includes the following pages:

• Optin Page: This is where visitors first enter the funnel. The goal of this page is to capture basic information, usually a name and email address before leading them to the application. You can also use this page to introduce your offer and explain what the next step involves.

• Application Page: After opting in, visitors are taken to the application page. This is the most important part of the funnel. It’s where you collect detailed information using questions that help you qualify leads. You can ask about their goals, challenges, budget, or anything else that helps you decide if they’re a fit for your offer.

• Thank You Page: Once the form is submitted, visitors land on a thank you page. This can simply confirm that the application was received, or include next steps such as booking a call or watching a video. You can also use this page to share additional content or let them know when they’ll hear from you.

• Success Story Page (optional): This page is used to share testimonials, client results, or case studies. It’s often linked from ads, emails, or the optin page to build trust before someone applies.

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Creating an Application Funnel

A high ticket application funnel can be built quickly using ClickFunnels’ pre-designed templates. Instead of starting from scratch, you can choose a template that matches your needs, customize it with your content, and launch your funnel in just a few steps.

1. Go to Funnels and click Create Funnel. The Funnel Templates page opens.

2. Use Search, or open Filters and pick a Funnel Type (Lead Funnels, Product Funnels, Presentation Funnels, Appointment Funnels or Challenge Funnels), to find a template that fits your application funnel. Click Preview to look through it, then click Use This Template. ClickFunnels installs the funnel and opens it in the funnel editor.

3. Prefer to build it yourself? Click Start From Scratch, or let Build with AI create the funnel for you.

For the full steps, see How to Create a New Funnel.

Once the funnel is in your workspace, you can begin customizing it to fit your product, audience, and sales message.

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Editing Application Funnel Pages

Once your funnel is installed, it opens in the funnel workflow editor. You can also open it later from the Funnels section of your workspace by selecting your funnel.

1. Open the Funnel Workflow Editor by clicking on the funnel. Find the page you want to edit, hover over it, and click Edit.
   

2. Each page is built using sections, columns, rows, and elements. Key areas to customize include:

   • Headline & Supporting Copy: Use clear, direct messaging to explain who the funnel is for and what the visitor should expect after applying.

   • Opt-in Form: Collect the visitor’s name and email before showing the application. This helps you follow up even if they don’t complete the full form.

   • Application Questions: These form input fields are the heart of the funnel. Ask qualifying questions that help you decide if someone is a good fit for your offer such as their goals, budget, current challenges, or timeline.

   • Call-to-Action Button: Make sure your button is clear and easy to spot. It should guide users to the application form or submit their answers.

   • Social Proof or Testimonials: If available, include short success stories or client quotes to build trust before the user fills out the application.

   • Video Element: You can add a short video to introduce yourself or explain why you’re asking for an application. This can help make the process feel more personal.

     To learn more about editing elements in ClickFunnels, refer to the Getting Started with the ClickFunnels Page Editor article.

3. Click Save at the top right to keep your changes.

4. Use the Preview option to check how your funnel looks before publishing. Remember to view your funnel on mobile devices to ensure it looks great on all screens. For detailed instructions, check our article on Mobile Optimization Techniques.

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Adding Call Booking Options to Your Funnel

Once a lead submits their application, you may want to give them the option to book a call with you. There are a few different ways to do this inside ClickFunnels, depending on how you prefer to manage your appointments:

1. Add a Booking Form Directly in the Funnel:
   Attach your Event Type to the funnel step (click the step’s three-dot (⋮) icon and select Manage Event Types), then add the Calendar element to display your calendar on the page. This is useful if you want leads to book immediately after applying, without leaving the funnel. Event Types that require payment can’t be attached to a funnel step; use one of the options below for those.

2. Embed a Booking Form Using Custom Code:
   You can also embed your booking form using the HTML / JS element in the page editor. To do this, click Copy Embed Code on your Event Type and paste the code into the desired section of your funnel page.

3. Share a Direct Booking Link:
   You can also link to your Event Type from a button or email (use Copy Link on the Event Type). This opens the booking page in a new tab, which some users prefer if they want to keep the funnel page simpler.

Helpful Resources:

1. Appointments - How to Create and Manage Event Types

2. Appointments - How to Connect and Manage a Calendar

3. Calendar: Add Appointment Booking Calendar to the Page

4. HTML/JS: Insert Custom HTML and JavaScript Code

5. Appointments - How to Publish Your ClickFunnels Appointments

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Automating Communication with Workflows

Workflows help keep potential customers engaged throughout the application without the need for manual messaging. They can send reminders, segment contacts, and deliver content at the right time.

With workflows, you can:

• Send email reminders when someone starts but doesn’t complete an application.

• Tag applicants based on their stage in the funnel, such as “Application Started” or “Interview Scheduled.”

• Automatically deliver confirmation emails, next-step instructions, or resource guides after each funnel milestone.

To add a workflow:

Click the ⚡ icon on the funnel step where the workflow should run. In the Choose a workflow dialog, pick an existing workflow or click New Workflow, then build it with steps such as Send Email, Add note, Tag contact, and Delay. A workflow runs only while it’s enabled: open the workflow’s Settings, turn on Status, then click Update Workflow. For the full steps, see Adding Workflows to Funnel Steps and How to Create a Workflow.

Helpful Resources:

1. How to Create a Workflow

2. How to Manage Workflow Triggers

3. Workflows “Send Email” Step - Automate Your Email Campaigns

4. Workflows “Delay” Step - Introduce Time Gaps Between Actions

5. Workflows “Tag Contact” Step - Apply or Remove Tags to Contacts

6. Workflows “Create / Move Opportunity” Step - Manage Opportunities in Pipelines

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Testing and Publishing Your Funnel

Before making your funnel live, it’s important to test its functionality to ensure everything works as expected.

1. Test the Funnel

   • Verify that all pages are connected in the correct order.

   • Check buttons, forms, and links to confirm they function properly.

   • Test the funnel on different devices and browsers for a smooth experience.

2. Enable Live Mode

   • If your funnel takes payments, turn on Live Mode (Payments) in the funnel’s settings (⚙) when you’re ready to take real payments, and click Update Funnel. This setting affects payments only, so a funnel that doesn’t take payments works without it.

3. Copy and Share Your Funnel URL

   • Click Copy URL on the Start of Funnel card.

   • Share the link via your website, social media, or email campaigns.

   • Learn more about publishing and sharing your funnel in this article.

Tip

Funnel Builder Support Options

For additional support building your funnel, explore the Funnel Builder Coaching & Certification Program. The program offers step-by-step training and live coaching for members who want to build with guidance.

To hire a certified funnel builder, visit the Funnel Builder Directory to connect with a verified expert.