Are you a course or digital product creator curious about the Google Doc sales page trend that’s been making the rounds in the past few months?

(Pssst: This isn’t the first time this strategy has popped up… And it probably won’t be the last!)

In this post, I’m breaking down the what’s, how’s, and why’s behind the “Google Doc as sales page” strategy–and showing you how to use it for your next digital product launch.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the tech-y side of launching, this no-fuss approach could be right up your alley. 

How A Google Doc Sales Page Differs From A “Regular” Sales Page

The secret’s right there in the name: it’s a sales page… Delivered via a simple Google Doc. 

Instead of hiring a designer or wrestling with a DIY funnel builder, you write the page, format it, plop it into a shareable Google Doc, and send it straight to your audience.

The biggest difference, IMO? The presentation. 

A Google Doc sales is inherently more informal, which means you can (and should!) loosen up a bit when it comes to following strict copy formulas or templates. 

💌 These pages often feel more like a letter to a friend you penned on your lunch break–warm, conversational, and a little silly.

“Hey, I made this thing!! Wanna check it out?”

And speaking of silly… Google Doc sales pages are the perfect place to lean into GIFs, memes, and other playful elements that might look out of place on a traditional website.

The Money-Making Benefits Of A Google Doc Sales Page

It’s unexpected

Even though this strategy has made the rounds a couple of times during my seven years in the online business space, it has never become mainstream enough to feel boring.

For most people, a Google Doc will be a refreshing shift away from the expected medium (yet another polished web page).

That element of surprise can help you break through the “been there, done that” feeling and make your audience more receptive to your message.

It shows your human side

🤖 In the age of AI, being undeniably, unapologetically HUMAN matters.

A Google Doc sales page is a little rough around the edges–which is exactly what we want if we want to show your audience that you are a human, not a robot.

It’s FUN (for everyone)

My favorite part of Google Doc sales pages is the amount of GIFs and memes you are allowed to use while writing them.

While you might be able to sneak one GIF onto a traditional sales page without it looking out of place, a Google Doc lets you go all out.

➡️ Swap out a “proper” headline for a funny GIF, turn your customers’ troubles into relatable memes, share an inside joke (or five)… The sky really is the limit here.

It’s cheaper

While you might still want to bring in a copywriter to write your sales page (hi, it’s me!), you probably don’t need a designer for this one–or you might only need them for an hour or two to get the formatting juuuuuust right. 

💰 Either way, you could save anywhere from $2K to $5K–which you could then use to drive traffic to your funnel (or take a dreamy Nancy Meyers-inspired vacation this summer–#iykyk).

(P.S. If I were to write your sales page, it would come pre-formatted with your fonts, colors, and logos… So you’d be able to send it off to your peeps straight away.)

When To Use A Google Doc Sales Page

A Google Doc sales page is not right for every launch. I love them for:

• Launching NEW products (especially if you’re still in the process of creating them)
• Launching “special editions” (e.g. live rounds) of existing courses
• Promoting affiliate offers (when you want to provide a little extra context before sending them to the “main” sales page)

However, I wouldn’t scrap your signature course sales page for a Google Doc just yet. 

While these Google Docs can be super fun, they also have a certain air of impermanence about them. 

🖋️ If you’re launching something you want to be a cornerstone of your business for years to come, it’s still worth investing in a polished, professionally designed sales page.

Finally, there are some buyers who will not appreciate this strategy at all. 

If your ideal client values traditional professionalism and polished presentation, tread carefully: a Google Doc might feel too casual for their taste.

In this case, you might be better served by customizing one of TONIC’s stunning sales page templates instead.

How To Use A Google Doc Sales Page In Your Next Launch

Formatting is king

Just because you’re using an easy-breezy Google Doc as your sales page, doesn’t mean you can be careless with your formatting.

The way your page looks still sends a message–even if it’s not the ultra-polished, corporate version of professionalism we’re often told to aim for. 

🫶🏻 A well-formatted Google doc can signal thoughtfulness, care, and professionalism in a way that feels both authentic and approachable.

A few tips to make the formatting look good:

• Use H1, H2, and H3 styles to create a clear headline hierarchy
• Stick to a font size of at least 16 px (no squinting allowed!)
• Left-align your text (centered text can be hard to read)
• Use dividers to separate different sections from one another
• Bold & italicize strategically (e.g. to make your FAQ questions stand out)
• Use your brand colors for headings and link text
• Add your logo (or the program logo) to the header/footer

Make use of the header & footer

The header & footer sections of your Google Doc will be visible on every single page–so you’d better make them work hard for you.

Here are a few ideas for what to include:

• The program logo (a pop of color would be cool)
• Program name + date reminder
• # of spots remaining
• A link to get in touch with questions
• A link to the checkout page (duh)

Here’s an example of a pretty decent header section:

Add some GIFs

Everyone loves a good reaction GIF, am I right?

GIFs add personality, humor, and a touch of whimsy to your page–something that’s harder to pull off on a traditional sales page without looking out of place.

🥳 Here are a few ways to incorporate GIFs into your page:

• Use a GIF of yourself smiling & waving in the hero section
• Use a reaction GIF from your fave TV show in the “problem” section
• Use a GIF to showcase the “dream state” your client will experience 

As a general rule, you can use 1 GIF per 2-3 pages of content. 

This will help you maintain a fun and engaging tone without becoming gimmicky. 

(Wondering where to find some GIFs for your sales page? GIPHY will sort you out.)

Lighten up with a meme

Memes are a fantastic way to add humor and relatability to your sales page.

They let you gently (!) poke fun at the struggles your audience is facing, making them feel seen, heard, and understood–while also giving them a good laugh.

For example, you could use the Distracted Boyfriend meme to illustrate “Shiny Object Syndrome” that many business owners struggle with.

The Two Buttons meme would be perfect for highlighting a common dilemma facing your audience (while positioning your course as an obvious third option).

🙅🏻‍♀️ A word of caution: Be careful with these your course deals with a lot of sensitive or emotionally charged topics. In some cases, humor can come across as dismissive and end up alienating your audience.

Take some risks with your copy

Instead of starting off with a program name, try a riskier headline.

🍷 What would you say about your program if you were two wine glasses deep with your business bestie?

Start with that.

Here’s an example:

• Safe headline: The Sales Page Formula // Write a sales page that converts like crazy–in less than 3 days
• Risky headline: If you’d rather *chomp* eat a pair of jeans *chomp* that write your sales page… You’re in the right place, boo. 

Don’t forget to cover the basics

Okay, okay, I know you’re having a blast with all the GIFs and memes–but you still have to cover the basics.

That includes:

• What the offer is
• What’s included (modules, calls, etc.)
• Pricing + payment plan options
• FAQ

A bio would also not be amiss, especially if you plan to present this page to people who are not on your email list. 

Your Next Steps

And there you have it! Everything you need to know to get started with the “Google Doc as sales page” strategy. 

👋🏻 But just in case you’d rather eat a pair of jeans than write your own sales copy… Leave those Abercrombies alone–and hire me to write your next (Google Doc?) sales page instead.