In today’s digital marketplace, turning prospects into buyers is the key focus for any web-based business. This is where customer journey software shows its worth, and ClickFunnels stands as one of the most established names in this industry.
Established by Russell Brunson in 2014, ClickFunnels has revolutionized the way entrepreneurs and online sellers handle online sales, promising to optimize the conversion path from initial interest to final purchase.
But is ClickFunnels a good value? Does it match its promises? Whether you’re a digital marketing veteran or a beginner in digital marketing, this in-depth review will provide you with all the details you need to make an smart choice about ClickFunnels.
Understanding ClickFunnels?
ClickFunnels is an unified marketing platform created to help businesses build optimized sales funnels without calling for technical expertise or a team of developers. At its foundation, ClickFunnels allows users to create landing pages, produce email sequences, handle payments, and handle customer relationships-all within a unified platform.
The Fundamentals of Sales Funnels
Before diving deeper into ClickFunnels, it’s important to understand what a sales funnel is. A sales funnel shows the process customers go through from first encountering your product or service to completing a transaction.
It typically includes parts like visibility, interest, consideration, and commitment.
Conventional sites are often constructed without a defined route for visitors to trace. This can result in high bounce rates and lost potential customers. Sales funnels, by contrast, are deliberately structured to direct visitors through a predetermined path, increasing the likelihood of results at each step.
ClickFunnels’ Strategy
ClickFunnels has uncomplicated the process of creating these funnels with its drag-and-drop editor and pre-built templates. The platform’s strategy centers around not just creating web pages but creating successful conversion paths that transform visitors into customers and customers into advocates.
Primary Elements of ClickFunnels
1. Funnel Designer
The core of ClickFunnels is its intuitive funnel builder. Users can decide between a variety of funnel types, including:
- Opt-in funnels: Designed to collect email addresses
- Sales funnels: For selling products or services
- Webinar funnels: To promote and register users for webinars
- Membership funnels: For continuity products
The intuitive interface makes it uncomplicated to add parts like text, images, videos, forms, and buttons without producing a single line of code.
2. Pre-designed Templates
ClickFunnels includes over a hundred professionally created templates for diverse industries and purposes. These templates, crafted by professional marketers, are engineered for sales and can be adjusted to match your brand.
3. Variant Testing
Knowing what resonates with your audience is essential for increasing conversions. ClickFunnels’ A/B testing function allows you to produce multiple versions of your pages and examine different elements to see which performs better.
4. Email Automation
ClickFunnels combines email marketing capabilities, allowing you to create automated email sequences activated by specific actions. This feature helps cultivate leads and guide them further down the sales funnel.
5. Payment Processing
The platform flawlessly integrates with payment processors like Stripe, PayPal, and others, permitting you to accept payments instantly through your funnels without redirecting customers to external sites.
6. Member Sections
For marketers selling courses or subscription content, ClickFunnels includes the ability to create restricted membership areas where customers can access special content.
7. Analytics and Reporting
ClickFunnels supplies comprehensive analytics on funnel effectiveness, including page views, conversions, and earnings. These data help users refine their funnels for stronger results.
8. Commission Management
If you have an affiliate program, ClickFunnels makes it simple to run your affiliates, monitor their performance, and administer commission payments.
ClickFunnels 2.0: The Next Generation
In 2022, ClickFunnels released its most important update: ClickFunnels 2.0. This new version signifies a complete rebuild of the platform with enhanced features and capabilities.
Improvements in 2.0?
- Upgraded Website Builder: A more capable website builder that allows for comprehensive website creation, not just funnels
- Advanced E-commerce Capabilities: Better product management, inventory tracking, and order fulfillment
- Blog Creation: The ability to build and manage a blog directly within ClickFunnels
- Enhanced Customization: More adaptability in design and functionality
- Upgraded User Interface: A cleaner dashboard and editor
- Technical Improvements: Faster page loading times and better mobile responsiveness
- Enhanced CRM Features: More advanced customer relationship management tools
The upgrade to 2.0 resolves many of the weaknesses users experienced with the original version, making it a more all-encompassing marketing solution.
Cost Options
ClickFunnels provides different pricing tiers to serve businesses of various sizes:
Starter 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
Plus Plan
At $197 per month, the Pro plan provides:
- Unlimited funnels
- Unlimited pages
- 9 payment gateways
- 9 domains
- 3 admin users
- Advanced automation
- Enhanced analytics
Enterprise 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 include a 14-day free trial, allowing users to evaluate the platform before paying financially.
The Strengths of Using ClickFunnels
1. Complete Solution
Perhaps the biggest advantage of ClickFunnels is that it merges multiple tools into one platform. Instead of handling different services for landing pages, email marketing, payment processing, and membership sites, users can administer all these aspects in one place.
2. No Technical Background Required
The platform’s drag-and-drop interface takes away the need for coding or design skills. This simplifies the funnel-building process, making it available to entrepreneurs without technical backgrounds.
3. Rapid Deployment
With ready-made templates and a optimized workflow, ClickFunnels significantly minimizes the time needed to release a marketing campaign. What might take weeks with custom development can be achieved in days or even hours.
4. Community and Support
ClickFunnels has established a thriving community of users who offer strategies, successes, and advice. The official ClickFunnels Facebook group has over 250,000 members, creating a valuable resource for marketers at all levels. Additionally, the platform offers comprehensive documentation, tutorials, and responsive customer support.
5. Proven Conversion Frameworks
The templates and funnel structures within ClickFunnels are founded on proven marketing principles and tested conversion strategies. This means users take advantage of established best practices rather than building from zero.
6. Training Content
Beyond the software itself, ClickFunnels offers a multitude of educational resources. Russell Brunson’s books, such as “DotCom Secrets” and “Expert Secrets,” provide valuable marketing insights, while the ClickFunnels training programs offer formal learning opportunities.
Disadvantages and Drawbacks
Despite its many advantages, ClickFunnels isn’t without limitations:
1. Investment
Starting at $147 per month, ClickFunnels represents a substantial investment, especially for freelancers or startups with limited budgets. Many competitors offer more budget-friendly entry-level options.
2. Adoption Challenge
While designed to be straightforward, mastering all of ClickFunnels’ features and understanding funnel strategy needs time and dedication. New users might feel challenged by the platform’s capabilities.
3. Constrained Design Flexibility
Though the builder editor is capable, designers accustomed to more advanced tools might find it inflexible. The balance between simplicity and flexibility sometimes tilts toward the former.
4. Page Loading Speed
Prior to 2.0, some users reported concerns with page loading speed, which can diminish SEO and user experience. While ClickFunnels 2.0 has improved performance, optimizing for speed needs attention.
5. Email Marketing Limitations
While ClickFunnels provides email marketing features, they’re not as advanced as dedicated email marketing platforms. Power users might still need additional tools for elaborate email campaigns.
ClickFunnels Competition: How They Compare
The sales funnel and landing page builder market has become increasingly crowded. Here’s how ClickFunnels compares to its main competitors:
1. Kartra
Strengths relative to ClickFunnels:
- More thorough marketing automation
- Built-in video hosting and advanced video marketing features
- More advanced email marketing capabilities
- Helpdesk and ticket system included
Limitations:
- Steeper learning curve
- Fewer templates specifically optimized for sales funnels
- Less active community
2. Leadpages
Positives:
- More economical entry point ($37/month)
- Strong focus on lead generation
- Excellent mobile-responsive designs
- Solid WordPress integration
Limitations:
- Less full-featured 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 flexible design options
- Strong analytics and conversion intelligence
- More affordable starting point
Limitations:
- Primarily focused on landing pages rather than complete funnels
- No built-in payment processing
- Less easy for non-technical users
4. Systeme.io
Strengths:
- Significantly more economical (starting at $27/month, with a free plan available)
- All-in-one solution similar to ClickFunnels
- Simple, intuitive interface
Drawbacks:
- Fewer templates and design options
- Less extensive feature set
- Smaller community and fewer educational resources
5. Instapage
Benefits:
- Superior design flexibility and customization
- Advanced collaboration features
- Excellent analytics and heatmaps
- Strong AdWords and Facebook Ads integration
Shortcomings:
- 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)
Strong points:
- Most economical option if you already have WordPress
- Ultimate flexibility and customization
- Complete ownership and control
- One-time purchases versus subscription model
Shortcomings:
- 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 Would Benefit From 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 convenient to deliver content to paying customers.
2. Internet Retail Businesses
With ClickFunnels 2.0’s upgraded e-commerce features, online retailers can create effective product funnels that enhance average order value through upsells, downsells, and order bumps.
3. B2B Service Businesses
Experts, agencies, and service providers can use ClickFunnels to generate leads, book appointments, and sell service packages without complex website development.
4. Referral Marketers
The platform’s optimization for conversions makes it appropriate for affiliate marketers looking to maximize their commissions from promotional campaigns.
5. Book Publishers and Content Creators
ClickFunnels provides effective book funnel templates that help authors promote books while collecting reader information for long-term relationship building.
6. Non-Technical Entrepreneurs
Those without coding or design skills will welcome ClickFunnels’ simple interface and pre-built templates.
Who Might Want to Look Elsewhere?
ClickFunnels may not be the ideal choice for:
1. Micro Businesses with Limited Budgets
The monthly investment might be costly for businesses just starting out or with tight marketing budgets.
2. Publishing-Oriented Websites
Businesses that rely heavily on blog content and SEO might find traditional CMS platforms like WordPress more suitable, though ClickFunnels 2.0 has made improvements in this area.
3. Design Specialists Seeking Complete Creative Control
Those who require precise designs and extensive customization might prefer platforms with more design flexibility.
4. Enterprise-Level Businesses with Complex Requirements
Very large organizations with complex integration needs and custom requirements might need more bespoke solutions.
First Steps with ClickFunnels: Tips for Success
If you decide to try ClickFunnels, here are some tips to enhance your experience:
1. Start with the Right Funnel Type
Pick a funnel template that fits your specific goal, whether it’s lead generation, product sales, or webinar registration.
2. Target One Funnel at a Time
Rather than trying to build multiple funnels simultaneously, focus on creating and optimizing one profitable funnel before moving on to the next.
3. Take advantage of the Training Resources
Take advantage of the abundant training materials, including ClickFunnels’ onboarding sequence and the FunnelFlix training library.
4. Become part of the Community
The ClickFunnels Facebook group provides beneficial insights and support from fellow users who can help troubleshoot issues or suggest optimization strategies.
5. Test and Optimize
Use the A/B testing features to persistently refine your funnels based on actual user behavior and conversion data.
6. Start with Pre-built Templates
Rather than building from scratch, adjust existing high-converting templates to match your brand and offering.
The Bottom Line: Is ClickFunnels Worth It?
ClickFunnels represents a major investment, but for many businesses, the benefit on that investment can be significant. The platform’s strength lies in its ability to simplify the complex process of creating effective sales funnels while providing the tools needed to grow leads and convert customers.
The decision ultimately comes down to your specific business needs, technical comfort level, and budget. If you’re dedicated to optimizing your online sales process and value an all-in-one solution that doesn’t require technical expertise, ClickFunnels offers a convincing package-especially with the enhanced capabilities of ClickFunnels 2.0.
For businesses that can manage the monthly subscription and are committed to implementing effective sales funnels, ClickFunnels provides both the tools and the strategic framework to succeed in today’s competitive digital landscape. The platform keeps evolve, tackling previous limitations and increasing its capabilities to serve a broader range of marketing needs.
Whether you’re selling downloadable items, tangible products, or consulting, ClickFunnels offers a streamlined path from stranger to customer-and that, for many businesses, is warranted for the investment.