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This systeme.io tutorial takes a new free account to a live lead-magnet funnel with a connected domain, a verified sender email, a working checkout, and one automation, in the order the product makes you do them. Budget an afternoon.
Step 1: Create the account and set your sender email
Sign up on the free plan. No card. Go to Settings, then the email settings, and add a sender address on a domain you own rather than a Gmail address. Verify it from the confirmation email.
New accounts have their first sends reviewed, so send a test to yourself before any broadcast.
Step 2: Connect your domain
Settings, then Custom domains, then Add. systeme.io shows two DNS records. Add them at your registrar and wait. Propagation takes minutes to a few hours. The free plan allows one custom domain.
Step 3: Connect a payment gateway
Settings, then Payment gateways. Connect Stripe or PayPal. Run a $1 test purchase later, then refund it. Finding out checkout is broken from a customer is worse.
Step 4: Build the funnel from a template
Funnels, then Create. Pick the goal that matches: build an audience for a lead magnet, sell for a product. A lead-magnet funnel is two steps, an opt-in page and a thank-you page. Choose a template, replace the text, swap the image, and point the button at the thank-you step.
The free plan allows three funnels with 15 steps in total.
Step 5: Add the product
For a sales funnel, go to Products, create a course or a digital product, set the price, and attach it to the order page. Add one order bump if you have a small add-on. Free gives you one course with up to 500 students.
Step 6: Write the first email sequence
Emails, then Campaigns, then Create. Three emails is enough to start: deliver the thing, tell a short story, make the offer. Free gives you one campaign.
Step 7: The automation rule
Automations, then Rules. Trigger: contact subscribes through the funnel. Actions: subscribe them to the campaign and add a tag.
That is your one free rule. The moment you need a second one, for example tagging buyers and starting a different sequence, you are on the $17 Startup plan, which allows ten.
Step 8: Publish and test
Open the funnel URL in a private window, submit the form, check that the email arrives, and check that the tag appears on the contact.
Where people get stuck
DNS records typed into the wrong place at the registrar. Sender verification skipped, so nothing sends. Images that will not upload because they are too large. The editor adding a new block at the bottom of the page instead of where you clicked; drag it up.
No card, no time limit.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the systeme.io setup take?
An afternoon for a two-step lead-magnet funnel including DNS. Longer if your registrar is slow to propagate.
Do I need a paid plan to sell?
No. The free plan includes checkout with Stripe or PayPal and 0% platform fees.
Can I import my email list?
Yes, by CSV under Contacts. Large imports on a new account may be held for review.
Where are systeme.io's official video tutorials?
systeme.io publishes a free training course and a YouTube channel. This page follows the same order in text.
Related: systeme.io templates, systeme.io pricing, systeme.io review.