---
name: ghl-funnel-launch-playbook
description: End-to-end GHL funnel launch sequence — from product creation through live payment testing. Covers the exact order of operations, AI builder failure modes, manual workarounds, and the final verification checklist. Trigger when Rob asks to "build a funnel," "launch a landing page," or "set up checkout" in GHL. Also load when troubleshooting a half-built funnel (sections missing, order form not wired, redirects broken).
---

# GHL Funnel Launch Playbook

Verified 2026-08-10 building the Premium Line bail bonds funnel (go.realresultsready.com/bail-bonds-page).

## Launch sequence (follow this order)

| Step | Task | Critical detail |
|------|------|---------------|
| 1 | **Create Product** | Products → New → Name, price, trial days. **Do this first** — you can't wire checkout without it. |
| 2 | **Create Funnel** | Funnels → New → Name it, add first step (landing page). |
| 3 | **Build landing page** | AI builder for scaffolding, then manual audit. See `ghl-landing-page-via-cowork` for the Claude spec → GHL workflow. |
| 4 | **Add checkout section** | Native Order Form element. **No custom fields possible** — relabel Company Name or use two-step form if you need a dropdown. |
| 5 | **Wire product to order form** | Funnel step view → Products tab → + Add Product. NOT in page builder settings. |
| 6 | **Configure order form** | Hide shipping (digital product), hide coupon, set button text first-person ("Lock In My Town"). |
| 7 | **Build CLAIMED page** | Second funnel step. Simple headline: "This Town Is Claimed." + contact info. |
| 8 | **Wire redirects** | Order form success → CLAIMED page. Countdown expire → CLAIMED page. |
| 9 | **Wire header button** | Button → Link to → Scroll to Element → pick checkout section. |
| 10 | **Publish both steps** | Publishing tab → Publish. Preview 404s until published. |
| 11 | **Test with live card** | Use real card, complete purchase, verify CLAIMED page loads, then cancel subscription immediately in GHL → Payments → Subscriptions. |

## AI builder failure modes (when to go manual)

| Symptom | Cause | Fix |
|---------|-------|-----|
| "Dynamic Item $99" placeholder in editor | Editor canvas is stale | Check live page only |
| Sections wiped after AI edit | AI schema validation failed, corrupted state | **Hit Save immediately**, close AI panel, rebuild manually |
| Can't add Town dropdown to order form | Platform limit — no custom fields on native order form | Relabel Company Name or build two-step form |
| Button scroll not working | Section not named, or not republished | Name section in settings, republish, hard refresh |

## Rob's checkout standards (non-negotiable)

- **No shipping fields** on digital products
- **No coupon field** — undermines premium positioning
- **Button text first person**: "Lock In My Town" (not "Your")
- **Exact billing timing in footer**: "bills after your N-day trial" (not "1st of month" — GHL can't anchor calendar dates)
- **Delete false-promise defaults**: "Upgrade Your Order & Save!" sub-headlines, placeholder pricing
- **Verify every claim** against what the product actually does

## Verification checklist (do not skip)

```bash
# Page loads
curl -sL -o /dev/null -w "%{http_code}" https://yourdomain.com/page

# Key elements present
curl -sL https://yourdomain.com/page | grep -oiE "(product name|price|button text|countdown)"

# Redirects wired
curl -sL https://yourdomain.com/page | grep -oiE 'claimed|success.*redirect'

# CLAIMED page exists
curl -sL -o /dev/null -w "%{http_code}" https://yourdomain.com/claimed-page
```

## Related skills

- `ghl-order-form-quirks` — Order form limitations and wiring details
- `ghl-funnel-landing-pages` — Landing page design + build workflow
- `ghl-landing-page-via-cowork` — Claude spec → GHL bridge workflow
- `ghl-voice-agent-build` — Voice AI agent (separate from funnel)