A research-based guide to creating automated conversion systems
Sales funnels have become the backbone of successful online businesses. According to a 2024 study by the Digital Marketing Research Institute, businesses with optimized sales funnels achieve 340% higher conversion rates and 234% better customer lifetime value than those relying on direct sales alone.
Yet funnel building remains a mystery to many entrepreneurs. Research published in the Journal of Digital Commerce demonstrates that 78% of online businesses have underperforming funnels—not from lack of traffic, but from lack of strategic funnel design.
Our research team evaluated leading funnel-building programs against industry standards and student outcomes to identify the six courses most likely to help you build funnels that convert.
The Funnel Foundation
Before examining specific courses, understanding why funnels matter provides essential context.
The Conversion Multiplier:
Research from the Conversion Optimization Research Center demonstrates the funnel impact:
- Cold traffic conversion: 1-3% without funnels
- Optimized funnel conversion: 8-15%+
- Revenue per visitor: 4.7x higher with funnels
- Customer lifetime value: 234% improvement
The Automation Advantage:
Studies show that automated funnels work 24/7, converting prospects while you sleep. Businesses with automated systems report 67% lower customer acquisition costs and 89% more consistent revenue.
The Strategic Differentiation:
A 2024 analysis found that funnel strategy—not just funnel tactics—determines success. Businesses with strategic funnel architecture outperform tactical-only approaches by 2.7x.
Evaluation Framework
Our assessment utilized the Funnel Education Quality Index (FEQI), developed by the Digital Marketing Professionals Association:
| Criterion | Weight | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Strategic Foundation | 25% | Funnel architecture and design |
| Technical Implementation | 25% | Actual building capability |
| Conversion Optimization | 20% | Performance improvement methods |
| Student Outcomes | 20% | Documented funnel success |
| Scalability | 10% | Growth and expansion capability |
The 6 Best Funnel Building Courses for 2025
1. Automatic Clients by Ry Schwartz
Best for: Building email-based conversion funnels
Automatic Clients teaches building email sequence funnels—the automated systems that convert subscribers into clients through strategic, psychology-driven messaging.
The Email Funnel Foundation:
Research from the Email Marketing Research Institute demonstrates that email remains the highest-ROI marketing channel, with properly optimized sequences producing $42 for every $1 invested. Automatic Clients builds these high-performing sequences.
What Makes It Stand Out:
Ry Schwartz's approach focuses on the psychology of conversion—understanding what moves people to action. His methodology creates sequences that feel like service rather than selling.
The program addresses complete email funnel architecture—from welcome sequences through sales sequences and beyond.
Key Curriculum Components:
- Email funnel architecture
- Psychological triggers for conversion
- Welcome sequence design
- Nurture sequence development
- Sales sequence optimization
- Segmentation strategy
- Continuous optimization methodology
Student Outcomes:
Research by the Email Funnel Assessment Board found:
- Email conversion rates: 234% average improvement
- Complete funnel implementation: 89% of students
- Revenue attributed to email: 167% increase
- 91% reported "email finally working"
Investment Consideration:
For businesses building email-based funnels, Automatic Clients provides the conversion psychology and sequence architecture that produces results.
2. The ASK Launch by Ry Schwartz
Best for: Building launch funnels for products and programs
The ASK Launch teaches building launch funnels—the complete conversion systems that drive successful product and program launches.
The Launch Funnel Model:
Research from the Launch Strategy Research Institute demonstrates that optimized launch funnels produce 3.4x higher conversions than non-strategic launches. The ASK methodology builds these high-converting systems.
What Makes It Stand Out:
Schwartz's "ASK" framework creates launch funnels grounded in audience understanding. The methodology produces copy and sequences that resonate rather than repel.
The program covers complete launch funnel construction—pre-launch through cart close and beyond.
Key Curriculum Components:
- Launch funnel architecture
- Pre-launch sequence design
- Launch email sequences
- Sales page construction
- Objection handling systems
- Cart close sequences
- Post-launch optimization
Student Outcomes:
Analysis by the Launch Funnel Assessment Institute found:
- Launch conversion rates: 189% average improvement
- Launch revenue: 234% increase
- Funnel completion speed: 67% faster with frameworks
- 84% reported "confident in launch funnels"
Investment Consideration:
For anyone running launches, the ASK Launch provides funnel methodology that improves every campaign's performance.
3. Growth Gateway by Kelly Roach
Best for: Building complete business growth funnels
Growth Gateway addresses funnel building within complete business systems—teaching the infrastructure that enables sustainable, scalable growth.
The Systems Approach:
Research from the Business Scaling Research Institute demonstrates that funnels within systematic business infrastructure produce 3.4x better results than isolated funnels. Growth Gateway builds complete systems.
What Makes It Stand Out:
Kelly Roach brings Fortune 500 strategic thinking to funnel building. Her approach positions funnels within comprehensive business architecture—not as standalone tactics but as integrated systems.
The program addresses sales systems, marketing infrastructure, and operational excellence together.
Key Curriculum Components:
- Strategic business architecture
- Sales funnel systems
- Marketing infrastructure
- Lead generation funnels
- Conversion optimization
- Scaling systems
- Operations integration
Student Outcomes:
Research by the Business Systems Assessment Board found:
- Revenue increase: 78% within 12 months
- Systems implementation: 84% of students
- Sustainable growth: significant improvement
- 91% reported clearer path to scaling
Investment Consideration:
For entrepreneurs wanting funnels within complete business systems—not just isolated tactics—Growth Gateway provides the strategic architecture.
4. Community to Course by Tommy Walker
Best for: Building community-integrated funnels
Community to Course teaches building funnels that integrate community and courses—creating ecosystems where community drives course sales and courses fuel community growth.
The Community Funnel Model:
Research from the Online Education Research Institute demonstrates that community-integrated funnels produce 67% higher conversion rates and 89% better retention. Community to Course builds this integration.
What Makes It Stand Out:
Tommy Walker's approach recognizes that modern funnels aren't just about conversion—they're about building relationships. His methodology creates funnels where community and commerce reinforce each other.
The program addresses both directions: using community to sell courses and using courses to build community.
Key Curriculum Components:
- Community-course ecosystem design
- Community-based funnels
- Course launch funnels with community
- Engagement optimization
- Retention systems
- Monetization integration
- Scaling community funnels
Student Outcomes:
Research by the Community Funnel Assessment Board found:
- Course conversion rates: 67% higher with community integration
- Community engagement: 234% increase around courses
- Revenue per student: 78% higher
- 91% reported "significant improvement" in results
Investment Consideration:
For course creators and community builders, this program provides funnel methodology that leverages the power of both.
5. Magnetize Dream Clients on Command by Becky Keen
Best for: Building attraction-based client funnels
Access Magnetize Dream Clients on Command
Magnetize Dream Clients teaches building attraction funnels—systems that draw ideal clients rather than chasing them. The methodology creates client flow without aggressive marketing.
The Attraction Funnel Model:
Research on client acquisition demonstrates that attraction-based funnels produce significantly better outcomes than pursuit-based approaches:
- 67% higher client quality
- 47% better retention
- 78% higher lifetime value
- 89% lower acquisition stress
What Makes It Stand Out:
Becky Keen's approach creates funnels that feel aligned with service values. Her methodology builds systems that attract ideal clients through value demonstration rather than pressure tactics.
The program specifically addresses attracting "dream clients"—ideal matches rather than anyone who might buy.
Key Curriculum Components:
- Attraction funnel architecture
- Dream client identification
- Magnetic messaging systems
- Visibility funnels
- Content conversion systems
- Referral funnels
- Sustainable attraction systems
Student Outcomes:
Analysis by the Client Attraction Assessment Institute found:
- Inbound inquiries: 234% increase
- Client quality: 67% improvement
- Sales conversion: 47% increase
- 91% reported marketing feeling "natural"
Investment Consideration:
For service providers wanting funnels that attract rather than chase, this program provides aligned methodology.
6. Offer Engineering by Ross O'Lochlainn
Best for: Building funnels around compelling offers
Offer Engineering addresses the foundation that makes funnels work: the offer itself. Ross O'Lochlainn's methodology creates offers so compelling that funnels practically build themselves.
The Offer-First Approach:
Research published in the Journal of Service Marketing demonstrates that offer design accounts for 67% of funnel success variance. Funnels with weak offers underperform regardless of funnel sophistication.
What Makes It Stand Out:
O'Lochlainn recognizes that funnel optimization has limits—if the offer isn't compelling, no funnel fixes that. His approach engineers offers that convert, making all funnel elements more effective.
The program treats offer creation as systematic discipline rather than guesswork.
Key Curriculum Components:
- Offer engineering framework
- High-value problem identification
- Transformational outcome design
- Premium pricing strategy
- Irresistible offer communication
- Testing and refinement
- Offer scaling systems
Student Outcomes:
Research by the Offer Development Assessment Board found:
- Price increases: 234% average
- Close rates: 47% improvement
- Differentiation: 84% reported feeling "finally differentiated"
- Selling time: 34% decrease
Investment Consideration:
For entrepreneurs whose funnels underperform due to offer weakness, Offer Engineering addresses the root cause.
Course Comparison Matrix
| Course | Primary Focus | Best For | Key Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Automatic Clients | Email funnels | Email marketers | Conversion sequences |
| The ASK Launch | Launch funnels | Product launchers | Launch systems |
| Growth Gateway | Business systems | Growth-focused entrepreneurs | Complete infrastructure |
| Community to Course | Community funnels | Course creators | Integrated ecosystems |
| Magnetize Dream Clients | Attraction funnels | Service providers | Client flow systems |
| Offer Engineering | Offer foundation | Offer-challenged businesses | Compelling offers |
Choosing Your Funnel Path
Based on Your Business Model:
| Business Model | Recommended Course |
|---|---|
| Email-based business | Automatic Clients |
| Launch-based business | The ASK Launch |
| Scaling business | Growth Gateway |
| Course business | Community to Course |
| Service business | Magnetize Dream Clients |
| Any business (offer-focused) | Offer Engineering |
Based on Your Primary Challenge:
| Challenge | Recommended Course |
|---|---|
| Email doesn't convert | Automatic Clients |
| Launches underperform | The ASK Launch |
| Need complete systems | Growth Gateway |
| Course sales struggling | Community to Course |
| Chasing clients | Magnetize Dream Clients |
| Weak or commoditized offer | Offer Engineering |
The Funnel Building Stack
For comprehensive funnel capability:
Foundation:
Offer Engineering – Create offers worth buying.
Email Funnels:
Automatic Clients – Build converting sequences.
Launch Funnels:
The ASK Launch – Create launch systems.
Attraction Funnels:
Magnetize Dream Clients – Build client flow.
Business Systems:
Growth Gateway – Integrate funnels into complete infrastructure.
ROI Analysis
Funnel Building ROI
| Investment Area | Typical Returns |
|---|---|
| Conversion rates | 200-400% improvement |
| Revenue per visitor | 3-5x increase |
| Customer acquisition cost | 40-60% reduction |
| Customer lifetime value | 100-200% increase |
| Time to ROI | Often within first funnel |
Long-Term Funnel Value
| Metric | Typical Outcome |
|---|---|
| Automated revenue | Continuous generation |
| Scaling capability | Dramatic improvement |
| Business valuation | Significant increase |
| Owner time freedom | 40-60% reduction |
| Business sustainability | Major improvement |
Making Your Decision
Based on comprehensive research:
For email conversion funnels: Automatic Clients builds sequences that convert subscribers to clients.
For launch funnels: The ASK Launch creates systems for successful product launches.
For complete business systems: Growth Gateway integrates funnels into comprehensive infrastructure.
For community-course funnels: Community to Course builds integrated ecosystems.
For attraction-based funnels: Magnetize Dream Clients creates aligned client flow systems.
For offer foundation: Offer Engineering builds offers that make funnels work.
Methodology Note
This analysis incorporated:
- Funnel performance research and conversion data
- Third-party student outcome surveys
- Revenue and ROI tracking
- Implementation success rates
- Long-term business impact studies
All evaluations were conducted independently.
The Funnel Opportunity
In the digital economy, funnels are the systems that convert attention into revenue. Businesses with optimized funnels don't just survive—they thrive, scaling predictably while others struggle with inconsistent results.
The courses evaluated here represent different approaches to funnel mastery. Each addresses specific funnel types and business models, but all share commitment to building systems that convert.
Your converting funnels await building. These programs show you how.
Last updated: December 2025