In the current online business landscape, transforming browsers into purchasers is the main aim for any web-based business. This is where customer journey software proves valuable, and ClickFunnels exists as one of the most well-known names in this space.
Launched by Russell Brunson in 2014, ClickFunnels has reshaped the way companies and business owners manage online sales, working to enhance the customer journey from first contact to completed sale.
But is ClickFunnels worth the investment? Does it meet its expectations? Whether you’re a experienced business owner or launching your first venture, this comprehensive review will provide you with the complete picture you need to make an educated judgment about ClickFunnels.
Introducing ClickFunnels?
ClickFunnels is an complete marketing platform engineered to help businesses build optimized sales funnels without requiring technical expertise or a team of developers. At its foundation, ClickFunnels allows users to construct landing pages, make email sequences, process payments, and oversee customer relationships-all within a one platform.
The Principle of Sales Funnels
Before diving deeper into ClickFunnels, it’s essential to understand what a sales funnel is. A sales funnel illustrates the path customers go through from first encountering your product or service to converting.
It typically includes levels like exposure, engagement, consideration, and action.
Conventional sites are often created without a obvious direction for visitors to navigate. This can cause high bounce rates and missed potential customers. Sales funnels, alternatively, are methodically developed to guide visitors through a established path, boosting the likelihood of positive outcomes at each step.
ClickFunnels’ Approach
ClickFunnels has uncomplicated the process of creating these funnels with its intuitive editor and ready-to-use templates. The platform’s methodology centers around not just building web pages but creating effective conversion paths that change visitors into customers and customers into loyal fans.
Primary Elements of ClickFunnels
1. Funnel Designer
The heart of ClickFunnels is its user-friendly funnel builder. Users can choose from a variety of funnel types, including:
- Opt-in funnels: Designed to collect email addresses
- Sales funnels: For offering products or services
- Webinar funnels: To advertise and register users for webinars
- Membership funnels: For membership products
The drag-and-drop interface makes it simple to add components like text, images, videos, forms, and buttons without coding a single line of code.
2. Pre-designed Templates
ClickFunnels includes over many ready-made templates for different industries and purposes. These templates, designed by marketing specialists, are engineered for performance and can be customized to match your brand.
3. Comparative Testing
Recognizing what engages your audience is critical for maximizing conversions. ClickFunnels’ A/B testing capability allows you to produce multiple versions of your pages and compare different elements to see which delivers better results.
4. Email Automation
ClickFunnels incorporates email marketing capabilities, allowing you to establish automated email sequences started by specific actions. This feature helps nurture leads and transition them further down the sales funnel.
5. Checkout System
The platform seamlessly integrates with payment processors like various payment gateways, allowing you to accept payments directly through your funnels without sending customers to external sites.
6. Protected Content
For entrepreneurs selling courses or subscription content, ClickFunnels features the ability to create restricted membership areas where clients can access protected content.
7. Results Monitoring
ClickFunnels provides detailed analytics on funnel results, including page views, conversions, and earnings. These metrics help users optimize their funnels for better results.
8. Affiliate Tracking
If you have an affiliate program, ClickFunnels makes it uncomplicated to manage your affiliates, measure their performance, and process commission payments.
ClickFunnels 2.0: The Next Generation
In 2022, ClickFunnels released its most important update: ClickFunnels 2.0. This new version marks a complete rebuild of the platform with advanced features and capabilities.
What’s New in 2.0?
- Advanced Website Builder: A more robust website builder that allows for comprehensive website creation, not just funnels
- Improved E-commerce Capabilities: Better product management, inventory tracking, and order fulfillment
- Blog Creation: The ability to develop and manage a blog directly within ClickFunnels
- Sophisticated Customization: More freedom in design and functionality
- Better User Interface: A cleaner dashboard and editor
- Speed Enhancements: Faster page loading times and better mobile responsiveness
- Improved CRM Features: More sophisticated customer relationship management tools
The upgrade to 2.0 tackles many of the limitations users experienced with the original version, making it a more all-encompassing marketing solution.
Membership Levels
ClickFunnels provides different pricing tiers to match businesses of various sizes:
Standard Plan
The Basic plan (now called the “Standard” plan in ClickFunnels 2.0) is available for $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
Premium 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
Ultimate Plan
For $997 per month, the Funnel Hacker plan includes:
- 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 come with a 14-day free trial, allowing users to try the platform before committing financially.
The Perks of Using ClickFunnels
1. Unified Solution
Perhaps the primary 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 control all these aspects in one place.
2. No Technical Background Required
The platform’s drag-and-drop interface eliminates the need for coding or design skills. This opens up the funnel-building process, making it available to entrepreneurs without technical backgrounds.
3. Rapid Deployment
With existing templates and a simplified workflow, ClickFunnels significantly decreases the time needed to start a marketing campaign. What might take weeks with custom development can be accomplished in days or even hours.
4. User Community
ClickFunnels has created a vibrant community of users who offer strategies, successes, and advice. The official ClickFunnels Facebook group has over 250,000 members, creating a helpful resource for marketers at all levels. Additionally, the platform offers comprehensive documentation, tutorials, and responsive customer support.
5. Tested Conversion Frameworks
The templates and funnel structures within ClickFunnels are created from proven marketing principles and tested conversion strategies. This means users benefit from established best practices rather than starting from scratch.
6. Knowledge Base
Beyond the software itself, ClickFunnels offers a collection 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.
Weaknesses and Drawbacks
Despite its many benefits, ClickFunnels isn’t without limitations:
1. Expense
Starting at $147 per month, ClickFunnels represents a noteworthy investment, especially for solopreneurs or startups with limited budgets. Many competitors offer more economical entry-level options.
2. Training Requirement
While designed to be user-friendly, mastering all of ClickFunnels’ features and understanding funnel strategy calls for time and dedication. New users might feel intimidated by the platform’s capabilities.
3. Limited Design Flexibility
Though the point-and-click editor is effective, designers accustomed to more advanced tools might find it confining. The balance between simplicity and flexibility sometimes favors the former.
4. Page Response Time
Prior to 2.0, some users reported problems 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 Boundaries
While ClickFunnels contains email marketing features, they’re not as sophisticated as dedicated email marketing platforms. Power users might still need additional tools for advanced email campaigns.
ClickFunnels Competition: How They Compare
The sales funnel and landing page builder market has become increasingly competitive. Here’s how ClickFunnels compares to its main competitors:
1. Kartra
Benefits relative to ClickFunnels:
- More all-encompassing marketing automation
- Built-in video hosting and advanced video marketing features
- More sophisticated email marketing capabilities
- Helpdesk and ticket system included
Shortcomings:
- Steeper learning curve
- Fewer templates specifically optimized for sales funnels
- Less active community
2. Leadpages
Benefits:
- More inexpensive entry point ($37/month)
- Strong focus on lead generation
- Excellent mobile-responsive designs
- Solid WordPress integration
Shortcomings:
- Less complete 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
Shortcomings:
- 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 economical (starting at $27/month, with a free plan available)
- All-in-one solution similar to ClickFunnels
- Simple, intuitive interface
Limitations:
- Fewer templates and design options
- Less advanced feature set
- Smaller community and fewer educational resources
5. Instapage
Strong points:
- 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)
Advantages:
- 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 Would Benefit From ClickFunnels?
ClickFunnels is particularly perfect for:
1. Course Developers and Coaches
The platform specializes in creating sales funnels for digital products like courses, coaching programs, and membership sites. The built-in membership functionality makes it effortless to deliver content to paying customers.
2. Digital Sales Businesses
With ClickFunnels 2.0’s expanded e-commerce features, online retailers can create effective product funnels that boost average order value through upsells, downsells, and order bumps.
3. Client Service Businesses
Advisors, 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 appropriate for affiliate marketers looking to increase their commissions from promotional campaigns.
5. Authors and Content Creators
ClickFunnels provides effective book funnel templates that help authors market books while obtaining reader information for long-term relationship building.
6. Technically Challenged Entrepreneurs
Those without coding or design skills will appreciate ClickFunnels’ straightforward interface and pre-built templates.
Who Should Consider Alternatives Elsewhere?
ClickFunnels may not be the optimal solution for:
1. Small Businesses with Limited Budgets
The monthly investment might be too high for businesses just starting out or with tight marketing budgets.
2. Blog-Focused 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. Creative Professionals Seeking Complete Creative Control
Those who require meticulous designs and extensive customization might prefer platforms with more design flexibility.
4. Multinational Businesses with Complex Requirements
Very large organizations with complex integration needs and custom requirements might need more customized solutions.
Launching with ClickFunnels: Tips for Success
If you decide to try ClickFunnels, here are some tips to maximize your experience:
1. Start with the Right Funnel Type
Choose a funnel template that aligns with your specific goal, whether it’s lead generation, product sales, or webinar registration.
2. Focus on One Funnel at a Time
Rather than trying to build multiple funnels simultaneously, focus on creating and optimizing one successful funnel before moving on to the next.
3. Utilize the Training Resources
Take advantage of the extensive training materials, including ClickFunnels’ onboarding sequence and the FunnelFlix training library.
4. Connect with the Community
The ClickFunnels Facebook group provides beneficial insights and support from fellow users who can help troubleshoot issues or suggest optimization strategies.
5. Try and Optimize
Use the A/B testing features to constantly refine your funnels based on actual user behavior and conversion data.
6. Start with Prepared Templates
Rather than building from scratch, customize existing high-converting templates to match your brand and offering.
The Bottom Line: Is ClickFunnels Worth It?
ClickFunnels represents a substantial investment, but for many businesses, the reward on that investment can be impressive. The platform’s strength lies in its ability to uncomplicate the complex process of creating effective sales funnels while providing the tools needed to foster leads and convert customers.
The decision ultimately revolves around your specific business needs, technical comfort level, and budget. If you’re serious about optimizing your online sales process and appreciate 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 budget for the monthly subscription and are serious about implementing effective sales funnels, ClickFunnels provides both the tools and the strategic framework to flourish in today’s competitive digital landscape. The platform consistently evolve, resolving previous limitations and enhancing its capabilities to serve a broader range of marketing needs.
Whether you’re selling e-products, tangible products, or consulting, ClickFunnels offers a efficient path from stranger to customer-and that, for many businesses, is warranted for the investment.