In the modern e-commerce world, turning prospects into buyers is the main aim for any web-based business. This is where sales funnel software proves valuable, and ClickFunnels positions itself as one of the most established names in this sector.
Started by Russell Brunson in 2014, ClickFunnels has reimagined the way companies and business owners approach online sales, aiming to simplify the buyer’s path from first interaction to buying decision.
But is ClickFunnels worth the investment? Does it meet its hype? Whether you’re a marketing professional or just starting your entrepreneurial journey, this complete review will provide you with all the insights you need to make an smart choice about ClickFunnels.
Introducing ClickFunnels?
ClickFunnels is an complete marketing platform built to help businesses design optimized sales funnels without calling for technical expertise or a team of developers. At its foundation, ClickFunnels allows users to develop landing pages, generate email sequences, facilitate payments, and administer customer relationships-all within a centralized platform.
The Principle of Sales Funnels
Preceding diving deeper into ClickFunnels, it’s important to understand what a sales funnel is. A sales funnel represents the route customers go through from first learning about your product or service to finalizing a sale.
It typically includes stages like visibility, appeal, deliberation, and action.
Regular sites are often designed without a defined route for visitors to trace. This can produce high bounce rates and lost potential customers. Sales funnels, conversely, are strategically designed to lead visitors through a structured path, increasing the likelihood of sales at each step.
ClickFunnels’ Philosophy
ClickFunnels has made easier the process of creating these funnels with its drag-and-drop editor and ready-to-use templates. The platform’s strategy centers around not just developing web pages but creating effective conversion paths that change visitors into customers and customers into dedicated followers.
Essential Components of ClickFunnels
1. Funnel Development Tool
The center of ClickFunnels is its straightforward funnel builder. Users can decide between a variety of funnel types, including:
- Opt-in funnels: Built to collect email addresses
- Sales funnels: For offering products or services
- Webinar funnels: To market and register users for webinars
- Membership funnels: For ongoing products
The drag-and-drop interface makes it straightforward to add items like text, images, videos, forms, and buttons without coding a single line of code.
2. Template Templates
ClickFunnels provides over one hundred pre-built templates for multiple industries and purposes. These templates, developed by professional marketers, are designed for conversions and can be personalized to match your brand.
3. A/B Testing
Recognizing what resonates with your audience is critical for maximizing conversions. ClickFunnels’ A/B testing feature allows you to produce multiple versions of your pages and test different elements to see which works best.
4. Email Campaigns
ClickFunnels features email marketing capabilities, allowing you to develop automated email sequences triggered by specific actions. This feature helps develop leads and transition them further down the sales funnel.
5. Transaction Handling
The platform smoothly integrates with payment processors like PayPal, Stripe, and more, allowing you to accept payments instantly through your funnels without transferring customers to external sites.
6. Subscription Areas
For creators selling courses or subscription content, ClickFunnels offers the ability to create secure membership areas where clients can access restricted content.
7. Results Monitoring
ClickFunnels supplies in-depth analytics on funnel success, including page views, conversions, and earnings. These information help users refine their funnels for stronger results.
8. Commission Management
If you have an affiliate program, ClickFunnels makes it simple to oversee your affiliates, monitor their performance, and administer commission payments.
ClickFunnels 2.0: The Improvement
In 2022, ClickFunnels released its most substantial update: ClickFunnels 2.0. This new version represents a complete redesign of the platform with enhanced features and capabilities.
Upgrades in 2.0?
- Improved Website Builder: A more powerful website builder that allows for complete website creation, not just funnels
- Improved E-commerce Capabilities: Better product management, inventory tracking, and order fulfillment
- Blog Creation: The ability to develop and handle a blog directly within ClickFunnels
- Sophisticated Customization: More versatility in design and functionality
- Improved User Interface: A more elegant dashboard and editor
- Performance Improvements: Faster page loading times and better mobile responsiveness
- Upgraded CRM Features: More advanced customer relationship management tools
The upgrade to 2.0 addresses many of the weaknesses users experienced with the original version, making it a more comprehensive marketing solution.
Cost Options
ClickFunnels provides different pricing tiers to support businesses of various sizes:
Entry-Level Plan
The Basic plan (now called the “Standard” plan in ClickFunnels 2.0) is priced at $147 per month and includes:
- Up to 20 funnels
- Up to 100 pages
- 3 payment gateways
- 3 domains
- 1 admin user
- Email automation
- Basic analytics
Advanced Plan
At $197 per month, the Pro plan includes:
- Unlimited funnels
- Unlimited pages
- 9 payment gateways
- 9 domains
- 3 admin users
- Advanced automation
- Enhanced analytics
Funnel Hacker Plan
For $997 per month, the Funnel Hacker plan contains:
- All Pro features
- Unlimited funnels and pages
- 27 payment gateways
- 27 domains
- 15 admin users
- Priority support
- Advanced API access
- Advanced training
All plans typically provide a 14-day free trial, allowing users to experience the platform before investing financially.
The Advantages of Using ClickFunnels
1. All-In-One Solution
Perhaps the largest advantage of ClickFunnels is that it integrates multiple tools into one platform. Instead of managing different services for landing pages, email marketing, payment processing, and membership sites, users can operate all these aspects in one place.
2. No Programming Expertise Required
The platform’s point-and-click interface negates the need for coding or design skills. This opens up the funnel-building process, making it accessible to entrepreneurs without technical backgrounds.
3. Quick Setup
With ready-made templates and a smooth workflow, ClickFunnels significantly cuts the time needed to launch a marketing campaign. What might take weeks with custom development can be completed in days or even hours.
4. Network and Assistance
ClickFunnels has established a dynamic community of users who provide strategies, successes, and advice. The official ClickFunnels Facebook group has over 250,000 members, creating a useful resource for marketers at all levels. Additionally, the platform offers extensive documentation, tutorials, and responsive customer support.
5. Established Conversion Frameworks
The templates and funnel structures within ClickFunnels are derived from proven marketing principles and tested conversion strategies. This means users leverage established best practices rather than beginning anew.
6. Learning Materials
Beyond the software itself, ClickFunnels offers a wealth of educational resources. Russell Brunson’s books, such as “DotCom Secrets” and “Expert Secrets,” provide valuable marketing insights, while the ClickFunnels training programs offer organized learning opportunities.
Downsides and Drawbacks
Despite its many strengths, ClickFunnels isn’t without limitations:
1. Cost
Starting at $147 per month, ClickFunnels represents a considerable investment, especially for individual entrepreneurs or startups with limited budgets. Many competitors offer more budget-friendly entry-level options.
2. Training Requirement
While designed to be user-friendly, mastering all of ClickFunnels’ features and understanding funnel strategy requires time and dedication. New users might feel overwhelmed by the platform’s capabilities.
3. Finite Design Flexibility
Though the drag-and-drop editor is powerful, designers accustomed to more advanced tools might find it restrictive. The balance between simplicity and flexibility sometimes emphasizes the former.
4. Page Loading Speed
Prior to 2.0, some users reported difficulties with page loading speed, which can reduce SEO and user experience. While ClickFunnels 2.0 has improved performance, optimizing for speed calls for attention.
5. Email Marketing Constraints
While ClickFunnels contains email marketing features, they’re not as robust as dedicated email marketing platforms. Power users might still need additional tools for advanced email campaigns.
ClickFunnels Contenders: How They Compare
The sales funnel and landing page builder market has become increasingly populated. Here’s how ClickFunnels fares against its main competitors:
1. Kartra
Positives relative to ClickFunnels:
- More complete marketing automation
- Built-in video hosting and advanced video marketing features
- More advanced email marketing capabilities
- Helpdesk and ticket system included
Disadvantages:
- Steeper learning curve
- Fewer templates specifically optimized for sales funnels
- Less active community
2. Leadpages
Strengths:
- More budget-friendly entry point ($37/month)
- Strong focus on lead generation
- Excellent mobile-responsive designs
- Solid WordPress integration
Drawbacks:
- Less robust than ClickFunnels (primarily focuses on landing pages)
- Limited checkout and payment processing options
- No built-in email marketing
3. Unbounce
Positives:
- Advanced A/B testing capabilities
- Highly adaptable design options
- Strong analytics and conversion intelligence
- More affordable starting point
Weaknesses:
- Primarily focused on landing pages rather than complete funnels
- No built-in payment processing
- Less simple for non-technical users
4. Systeme.io
Strengths:
- Significantly more cost-effective (starting at $27/month, with a free plan available)
- All-in-one solution similar to ClickFunnels
- Simple, intuitive interface
Disadvantages:
- Fewer templates and design options
- Less advanced feature set
- Smaller community and fewer educational resources
5. Instapage
Positives:
- Superior design flexibility and customization
- Advanced collaboration features
- Excellent analytics and heatmaps
- Strong AdWords and Facebook Ads integration
Drawbacks:
- Higher price point (starting at $149/month)
- Focus on landing pages rather than complete funnels
- No built-in payment processing
6. WordPress + Plugins (DIY Approach)
Benefits:
- Most inexpensive option if you already have WordPress
- Ultimate flexibility and customization
- Complete ownership and control
- One-time purchases versus subscription model
Drawbacks:
- Requires technical knowledge to set up and maintain
- Multiple plugins may cause compatibility issues
- No unified support system
- Time-intensive to implement and manage
Who Is Ideal For ClickFunnels?
ClickFunnels is particularly ideal for:
1. E-learning Providers and Coaches
The platform is optimized for creating sales funnels for digital products like courses, coaching programs, and membership sites. The built-in membership functionality makes it easy to deliver content to paying customers.
2. Web Store Businesses
With ClickFunnels 2.0’s enhanced e-commerce features, online retailers can create effective product funnels that raise average order value through upsells, downsells, and order bumps.
3. B2B Service Businesses
Consultants, agencies, and service providers can use ClickFunnels to obtain leads, book appointments, and sell service packages without complex website development.
4. Affiliate Marketers
The platform’s optimization for conversions makes it suitable for affiliate marketers looking to improve their commissions from promotional campaigns.
5. Book Publishers and Content Creators
ClickFunnels provides effective book funnel templates that help authors market books while obtaining reader information for long-term relationship building.
6. Design-Inexperienced Entrepreneurs
Those without coding or design skills will benefit from ClickFunnels’ user-friendly interface and pre-built templates.
Who Should Consider Alternatives Elsewhere?
ClickFunnels may not be the best fit for:
1. Solo Entrepreneurs with Limited Budgets
The monthly investment might be unaffordable for businesses just starting out or with tight marketing budgets.
2. Content-Heavy Websites
Businesses that rely heavily on blog content and SEO might find traditional CMS platforms like WordPress more ideal, though ClickFunnels 2.0 has made improvements in this area.
3. Design Experts Seeking Complete Creative Control
Those who require exact designs and extensive customization might prefer platforms with more design flexibility.
4. Large Scale Businesses with Complex Requirements
Very large organizations with complex integration needs and custom requirements might need more dedicated solutions.
First Steps with ClickFunnels: Tips for Success
If you decide to try ClickFunnels, here are some tips to increase your experience:
1. Start with the Right Funnel Type
Select a funnel template that aligns with your specific goal, whether it’s lead generation, product sales, or webinar registration.
2. Prioritize One Funnel at a Time
Rather than trying to build multiple funnels simultaneously, focus on creating and optimizing one effective funnel before moving on to the next.
3. Use the Training Resources
Take advantage of the comprehensive training materials, including ClickFunnels’ onboarding sequence and the FunnelFlix training library.
4. Connect with the Community
The ClickFunnels Facebook group provides valuable insights and support from fellow users who can help fix issues or suggest optimization strategies.
5. Test and Optimize
Use the A/B testing features to continuously refine your funnels based on actual user behavior and conversion data.
6. Start with Prepared Templates
Rather than building from scratch, alter existing high-converting templates to match your brand and offering.
Final Thoughts: Is ClickFunnels Worth It?
ClickFunnels represents a considerable investment, but for many businesses, the yield on that investment can be considerable. The platform’s strength lies in its ability to facilitate the complex process of creating effective sales funnels while providing the tools needed to nurture leads and convert customers.
The decision ultimately revolves around your specific business needs, technical comfort level, and budget. If you’re intent on optimizing your online sales process and prefer an all-in-one solution that doesn’t require technical expertise, ClickFunnels offers a persuasive package-especially with the expanded capabilities of ClickFunnels 2.0.
For businesses that can support the monthly subscription and are dedicated to implementing effective sales funnels, ClickFunnels provides both the tools and the strategic framework to flourish in today’s competitive digital landscape. The platform keeps evolve, resolving previous limitations and extending its capabilities to serve a broader range of marketing needs.
Whether you’re selling online courses, retail products, or coaching, ClickFunnels offers a direct path from stranger to customer-and that, for many businesses, is deserving of the investment.