> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.elasticfunnels.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Checkout Redirect Behavior

> Understanding default checkout redirects and domain-funnel assignment for purchase flows

When customers purchase from pages that aren't properly assigned to a funnel, the system automatically redirects them to a default thank you page instead of following your intended funnel flow. Understanding and configuring this behavior is crucial for maintaining your sales funnel continuity.

## Default Redirect Behavior

### When Default Redirects Occur

The system redirects customers to a generic thank you page (`/thank-you`) in these situations:

1. **Page Not in Expected Funnel**: The customer purchases from a VSL page, homepage, or landing page that isn't part of any active funnel
2. **No Active Funnel on Domain**: There's no funnel assigned to the current domain the customer is purchasing from
3. **Missing Funnel Parameter**: The customer accessed the page without the `?f=funnel_code` parameter and no default funnel is set

### Why This Happens

This default behavior serves as a **fallback mechanism** to ensure:

* Customers always receive purchase confirmation
* The checkout process completes successfully
* No customers are left without a post-purchase experience
* Business continuity even when funnel configuration is incomplete

<Warning>
  While the default redirect ensures checkout completion, it bypasses your intended upsell sequences, tracking, and custom post-purchase flows. Proper domain-funnel assignment is essential for optimal conversion rates.
</Warning>

## Domain-Funnel Assignment

### Understanding Domain Assignment

Every funnel can be assigned to one or more domains to control which funnel handles purchases from that domain.

**Key Concepts:**

* **Domain Assignment**: Links a specific domain to a funnel
* **Default Funnel**: The funnel that handles all traffic on a domain without explicit funnel parameters
* **Funnel Parameter**: The `?f=funnel_code` URL parameter that explicitly specifies which funnel to use

### How to Assign Domains to Funnels

#### Method 1: Through Funnel Settings (Recommended)

1. Go to **Funnels** in your dashboard
2. Find and select the funnel you want to configure
3. Click **Edit Funnel**
4. In the funnel editor, go to the **Domains** section
5. Click **Add Domain**
6. Enter your domain (e.g., `yoursite.com`)
7. Choose assignment type:
   * **Explicit Only**: Requires `?f=funnel_code` parameter
   * **Default for Domain**: Handles all traffic without parameters
8. Check **"Make Default"** if you want this funnel to handle all traffic on this domain
9. Save your configuration

#### Method 2: Through Settings (Alternative)

1. Go to **Settings** → **Domains** section
2. Click **Add Domain** or find an existing domain
3. Configure domain settings and assign to funnels
4. Set default funnel assignments as needed

#### Important Notes

* **A funnel can be on multiple domains**: You can assign the same funnel to several domains
* **Multiple default assignments**: A funnel can be set as default on multiple domains
* **Flexible access**: Some domains can require the `?f=funnel_code` parameter while others have the funnel as default

### Multiple Domain Configuration

You can assign multiple domains to the same funnel:

**Example Setup:**

* Main domain: `yoursite.com` (set as default)
* Backup domain: `backup-domain.com` (set as default)
* Testing domain: `test.yoursite.com` (explicit only)

## The Funnel Parameter System

### Understanding `?f=funnel_code`

The funnel parameter (`?f=`) explicitly tells the system which funnel to use:

**Examples:**

* `https://yoursite.com/page?f=main-funnel` - Uses "main-funnel"
* `https://yoursite.com/page?f=upsell-sequence` - Uses "upsell-sequence"
* `https://yoursite.com/page` - Uses default funnel (if set) or triggers default redirect

### When to Use Funnel Parameters

#### **Required Scenarios:**

* **Multiple funnels per domain**: When you have different products/campaigns
* **Testing new funnels**: Before making them default
* **Affiliate-specific funnels**: Different flows for different traffic sources
* **Campaign-specific flows**: Unique sequences for different marketing campaigns

#### **Optional Scenarios:**

* **Single funnel per domain**: Set as default to avoid parameter requirement
* **Simple product flows**: When you only have one purchase path
* **General traffic**: Most visitors can use the default funnel

### Getting Funnel Links

To get a properly formatted funnel link with the correct parameter:

1. Go to **Funnels** in your dashboard
2. Find the funnel you want in the list
3. Click **"Generate Tracking Link"** for that funnel
4. This will provide you with the complete URL including the proper `?f=funnel_code` parameter
5. Use this link for your marketing campaigns, affiliate links, or anywhere you need to ensure visitors enter the specific funnel

### Best Practices for Parameter Usage

**For Traffic Sources:**

```
Facebook Ads: https://yoursite.com/page?f=facebook-funnel&source=fb
Google Ads: https://yoursite.com/page?f=google-funnel&source=google
Affiliate Links: https://yoursite.com/page?f=affiliate-funnel&aff=partner123
```

**For Product Lines:**

```
Product A: https://yoursite.com/page?f=product-a-funnel
Product B: https://yoursite.com/page?f=product-b-funnel
Premium: https://yoursite.com/page?f=premium-funnel
```

## Configuration Examples

### Example 1: Single Product Website

**Scenario**: One main product with one sales funnel

**Setup:**

1. Create one funnel: "main-sales-funnel"
2. Assign your domain: `yoursite.com`
3. **Set as default**: ✅ Checked
4. **Result**: All purchases automatically use the correct funnel

### Example 2: Multi-Product Website

**Scenario**: Multiple products with different upsell sequences

**Setup:**

1. Create multiple funnels:
   * "weight-loss-funnel"
   * "muscle-gain-funnel"
   * "supplements-funnel"
2. Assign all to domain: `fitnesssite.com`
3. **Set default**: Choose your main product funnel
4. **Use parameters** for other products:
   * Weight loss: `?f=weight-loss-funnel`
   * Muscle gain: `?f=muscle-gain-funnel`
   * Supplements: `?f=supplements-funnel`

### Example 3: Multiple Domains

**Scenario**: Different brands on different domains

**Setup:**

1. **Brand A Funnel**:
   * Domain: `brand-a.com` (default)
   * Handles all Brand A traffic
2. **Brand B Funnel**:
   * Domain: `brand-b.com` (default)
   * Handles all Brand B traffic
3. **Testing Funnel**:
   * Domain: `test.brand-a.com` (explicit only)
   * Requires `?f=test-funnel` parameter

## Troubleshooting Common Issues

### Issue: Customers Going to Default Thank You Page

**Symptoms:**

* Customers complete purchase but see generic thank you page
* Missing expected upsells or post-purchase flow
* No funnel tracking data for purchases

**Solutions:**

1. **Check domain assignment**: Ensure your domain is assigned to a funnel
2. **Verify default setting**: Make sure a default funnel is set if not using parameters
3. **Test with parameters**: Try accessing with `?f=your-funnel-code`
4. **Review purchase links**: Ensure buy buttons are on funnel-assigned pages
5. **Use generated links**: Get proper funnel links via "Generate Tracking Link" in the funnel list

### Issue: Wrong Funnel Executing

**Symptoms:**

* Customers enter wrong upsell sequence
* Incorrect post-purchase flow
* Wrong tracking attribution

**Solutions:**

1. **Check parameter conflicts**: Multiple funnel parameters can cause conflicts
2. **Review default funnel**: Default might be overriding intended funnel
3. **Verify URL structure**: Ensure funnel parameters are correctly formatted
4. **Test explicit parameters**: Use specific `?f=` parameters to override defaults
5. **Use generated links**: Generate proper tracking links to ensure correct funnel codes

### Issue: Funnel Parameter Not Working

**Symptoms:**

* Funnel parameter ignored
* Always defaults to same funnel
* Parameter appears in URL but doesn't change behavior

**Solutions:**

1. **Verify funnel code**: Check that the funnel code in parameter matches exactly
2. **Check funnel status**: Ensure the target funnel is active and published
3. **Review domain configuration**: Confirm funnel is assigned to the current domain
4. **Clear cache**: Browser or CDN caching might serve old configuration
5. **Use generated links**: Get the correct funnel code via "Generate Tracking Link"

## Testing Your Configuration

### Step 1: Test Default Behavior

1. Visit your page without any parameters: `https://yoursite.com/page`
2. Complete a test purchase
3. Verify you enter the correct funnel flow

### Step 2: Test Explicit Parameters

1. Visit with funnel parameter: `https://yoursite.com/page?f=your-funnel-code`
2. Complete a test purchase
3. Confirm the specified funnel executes

### Step 3: Test Edge Cases

1. **Invalid funnel code**: `?f=nonexistent-funnel` (should fall back to default)
2. **Empty parameter**: `?f=` (should use default funnel)
3. **Multiple parameters**: `?f=funnel1&f=funnel2` (should use first valid one)

### Verification Checklist

* [ ] Domain is assigned to intended funnel
* [ ] Default funnel is set (if desired)
* [ ] Test purchases complete successfully
* [ ] Correct upsell sequences execute
* [ ] Analytics track properly
* [ ] All purchase links work correctly

## Best Practices

### Domain Management

1. **Set clear defaults**: Every active domain should have a default funnel
2. **Document assignments**: Keep track of which domains use which funnels
3. **Regular testing**: Test purchase flows on all domains monthly
4. **Monitor analytics**: Watch for unexpected redirect patterns

### Funnel Parameter Strategy

1. **Use descriptive codes**: Make funnel codes clear and memorable
2. **Document parameter usage**: Track which campaigns use which parameters
3. **Test all combinations**: Verify every parameter/domain combination works
4. **Monitor performance**: Compare conversion rates across different funnels
5. **Use generated links**: Always use "Generate Tracking Link" to get correct funnel codes

### Maintenance & Updates

1. **Regular audits**: Review domain-funnel assignments quarterly
2. **Test after changes**: Always test purchase flows after configuration changes
3. **Monitor customer feedback**: Watch for complaints about unexpected experiences
4. **Update documentation**: Keep team informed of configuration changes

<Note>
  Set the domain-funnel assignment before you send traffic. The right assignment keeps checkout redirects predictable and makes conversion tracking easier to trust.
</Note>

## Related Documentation

* [Create Funnel](/funnels/create-funnel) - Basic funnel creation and setup
* [Query Parameters](/funnels/query-parameters) - Advanced parameter usage and conditions
* [Split Testing](/funnels/split-testing) - Testing different funnel flows
* [Thank You Pages](/forms/thank-you-pages) - Customizing post-purchase experiences
* [Buy Links](/products/buy-links) - Setting up purchase buttons and links