For many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), digital marketing often feels like pouring water into a leaky bucket. Leads come in through ads, social media, or referrals — but somewhere between that first click and the final sale, they slip through the cracks.
It’s a problem Cormac Reynolds, founder of The Funnels Guys, sees all the time. His team specializes in building high-converting sales funnels for SMEs using tools like GoHighLevel, helping businesses turn traffic into paying customers without burning through budgets.
We spoke with Cormac about the biggest funnel mistakes SMEs make, how to fix them, and the simple steps any business can take to double its conversion rates.
Q: Cormac, what’s the number one issue SMEs face with their sales funnels?
Cormac:
Honestly, most SMEs don’t really have a funnel — at least not a deliberate one.
They might have a website, a Facebook page, maybe even a form to collect leads. But there’s no structured journey. People land on a page, maybe sign up, maybe not, and then… crickets. No follow-up, no nurturing, no clear next step.
The result? Leads go cold fast, and owners feel like marketing “doesn’t work,” when really the problem is there’s no system to guide people from interest to purchase.
Q: So what does a good sales funnel look like for an SME?
Cormac:
A good funnel does three things:
- Captures attention – through ads, content, or referrals.
- Warms up leads – with emails, texts, or retargeting ads that educate and build trust.
- Closes the sale – with a clear call-to-action, like booking a call or buying online.
But the key is automation. If you rely on manual follow-ups, things will always get missed. With the right tools, you can set up a simple funnel that runs on autopilot, so every lead gets the same experience, every time.
Q: Where do SMEs usually go wrong with funnels?
Cormac:
Two big mistakes.
First, they try to sell too soon. Someone clicks an ad and immediately gets hit with “Buy Now!” before they even know the business. That’s like proposing marriage on the first date.
Second, they fail to follow up. A lead downloads a free guide or books a call but never hears back quickly. People’s attention spans are short — if you’re not following up instantly, they’ve moved on.
Q: Can you give us a real example of a funnel you’ve built that worked well?
Cormac:
Sure. We worked with a local gym that wanted more memberships.
We built a simple funnel:
- Step 1: Facebook ad offering a free 7-day trial.
- Step 2: Landing page with a form to claim the pass.
- Step 3: Automated SMS and email series reminding them to book a visit.
- Step 4: On the final day, a limited-time discount to join.
The result? Trial sign-ups tripled, and over 40% converted to full members — all without the owner manually chasing leads.
Q: That sounds great, but many SMEs worry this stuff is complicated or expensive. Is it?
Cormac:
Not at all. Tools like GoHighLevel make it affordable because you don’t need 10 different software subscriptions. Everything — forms, landing pages, emails, SMS — is in one place.
As for complexity, we always say: start simple. One funnel, one goal. You don’t need a 27-step sequence to see results.
Q: What’s the simplest funnel an SME can set up to see results fast?
Cormac:
A lead capture funnel with instant follow-up.
Here’s the basic version:
- A landing page with a lead magnet — a free trial, a quote form, a discount code.
- An automated email or SMS thanking them and giving next steps.
- A follow-up reminder a day or two later.
Even that basic funnel will often double conversions compared to doing nothing.
Q: Any tips for SMEs to improve funnel performance?
Cormac:
Definitely:
- Use clear calls-to-action. Tell people exactly what to do next.
- Test one thing at a time. Headlines, images, or offers — see what moves the needle.
- Add social proof. Testimonials or case studies build trust fast.
- Follow up quickly. The first 5 minutes matter most.
And remember, funnels aren’t set-and-forget. Review the data monthly. See where people drop off and fix that step.
Q: Final thoughts for SMEs wanting to grow with funnels?
Cormac:
Stop relying on luck. Too many SMEs cross their fingers and hope leads turn into customers. A good funnel takes out the guesswork.
Even a simple system can free up your time, warm up leads automatically, and bring in consistent sales. And once it’s set up, it works 24/7 — so you can focus on running your business instead of chasing leads all day.
