In the current online business landscape, converting visitors into customers is the primary objective for any online business. This is where sales funnel software demonstrates importance, and ClickFunnels stands as one of the most well-known names in this niche.
Launched by Russell Brunson in 2014, ClickFunnels has reimagined the way entrepreneurs and online sellers approach online sales, striving to improve the user experience from first contact to buying decision.
But is ClickFunnels worth pursuing? Does it live up to its promises? Whether you’re a seasoned marketer or just starting your entrepreneurial journey, this thorough review will provide you with everything you need to make an educated judgment about ClickFunnels.
What Is ClickFunnels?
ClickFunnels is an integrated marketing platform engineered to help businesses develop optimized sales funnels without requiring technical expertise or a team of developers. At its center, ClickFunnels allows users to create landing pages, create email sequences, facilitate payments, and handle customer relationships-all within a unified platform.
The Fundamentals of Sales Funnels
Before diving deeper into ClickFunnels, it’s crucial to understand what a sales funnel is. A sales funnel symbolizes the process customers go through from initially discovering your product or service to finalizing a sale.
It typically includes steps like exposure, engagement, evaluation, and purchase.
Standard websites are often constructed without a logical progression for visitors to trace. This can cause high bounce rates and forfeited potential customers. Sales funnels, on the other hand, are strategically designed to direct visitors through a established path, raising the likelihood of positive outcomes at each step.
ClickFunnels’ System
ClickFunnels has uncomplicated the process of creating these funnels with its point-and-click editor and ready-to-use templates. The platform’s methodology centers around not just developing web pages but creating high-converting conversion paths that change visitors into customers and customers into repeat buyers.
Main Capabilities of ClickFunnels
1. Funnel Builder
The center of ClickFunnels is its simple funnel builder. Users can decide between a variety of funnel types, including:
- Opt-in funnels: Created to collect email addresses
- Sales funnels: For selling products or services
- Webinar funnels: To promote and register users for webinars
- Membership funnels: For membership products
The intuitive interface makes it effortless to add elements like text, images, videos, forms, and buttons without typing a single line of code.
2. Template Templates
ClickFunnels includes over one hundred pre-designed templates for diverse industries and purposes. These templates, crafted by marketing experts, are optimized for performance and can be personalized to match your brand.
3. Variant Testing
Determining what engages your audience is key for improving conversions. ClickFunnels’ A/B testing tool allows you to build multiple versions of your pages and examine different elements to see which is more effective.
4. Email Sequences
ClickFunnels integrates email marketing capabilities, allowing you to build automated email sequences initiated by specific actions. This feature helps develop leads and move them further down the sales funnel.
5. Payment Integration
The platform smoothly integrates with payment processors like various payment gateways, facilitating you to accept payments right through your funnels without moving customers to external sites.
6. Protected Content
For entrepreneurs selling courses or subscription content, ClickFunnels features the ability to create restricted membership areas where users can access premium content.
7. Performance Tracking
ClickFunnels furnishes in-depth analytics on funnel metrics, including page views, conversions, and earnings. These information help users refine their funnels for stronger results.
8. Referral System
If you have an affiliate program, ClickFunnels makes it easy to administer your affiliates, track their performance, and process commission payments.
ClickFunnels 2.0: The Next Generation
In 2022, ClickFunnels released its most substantial update: ClickFunnels 2.0. This new version signifies a complete reconstruction of the platform with advanced features and capabilities.
Upgrades in 2.0?
- Better Website Builder: A more powerful website builder that allows for total website creation, not just funnels
- Expanded E-commerce Capabilities: Better product management, inventory tracking, and order fulfillment
- Blog Creation: The ability to build and maintain a blog directly within ClickFunnels
- Improved Customization: More freedom in design and functionality
- Refined User Interface: A simpler dashboard and editor
- Technical Improvements: Faster page loading times and better mobile responsiveness
- Enhanced CRM Features: More comprehensive customer relationship management tools
The upgrade to 2.0 addresses many of the shortcomings users experienced with the original version, making it a more robust marketing solution.
Subscription Plans
ClickFunnels features different pricing tiers to suit 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 offers:
- Unlimited funnels
- Unlimited pages
- 9 payment gateways
- 9 domains
- 3 admin users
- Advanced automation
- Enhanced analytics
Elite Plan
For $997 per month, the Funnel Hacker plan delivers:
- 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 offer a 14-day free trial, allowing users to try the platform before committing financially.
The Perks of Using ClickFunnels
1. Unified Solution
Perhaps the biggest advantage of ClickFunnels is that it integrates multiple tools into one platform. Instead of switching between different services for landing pages, email marketing, payment processing, and membership sites, users can control all these aspects in one place.
2. No Technical Skills Required
The platform’s user-friendly interface negates the need for coding or design skills. This opens up the funnel-building process, making it attainable to entrepreneurs without technical backgrounds.
3. Fast Implementation
With existing templates and a smooth workflow, ClickFunnels significantly lowers the time needed to deploy a marketing campaign. What might take weeks with custom development can be completed in days or even hours.
4. Community and Support
ClickFunnels has built a engaged community of users who contribute strategies, successes, and advice. The official ClickFunnels Facebook group has over 250,000 members, creating a beneficial 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. Learning Materials
Beyond the software itself, ClickFunnels offers a multitude of educational resources. Russell Brunson’s books, such as “DotCom Secrets” and “Expert Secrets,” provide beneficial marketing insights, while the ClickFunnels training programs offer structured learning opportunities.
Weaknesses and Drawbacks
Despite its many benefits, ClickFunnels isn’t without limitations:
1. Cost
Starting at $147 per month, ClickFunnels represents a noteworthy investment, especially for freelancers or startups with limited budgets. Many competitors offer more inexpensive entry-level options.
2. Training Requirement
While designed to be accessible, mastering all of ClickFunnels’ features and understanding funnel strategy requires time and dedication. New users might feel daunted by the platform’s capabilities.
3. Restricted Design Flexibility
Though the intuitive editor is powerful, designers accustomed to more advanced tools might find it limiting. The balance between simplicity and flexibility sometimes prioritizes the former.
4. Page Loading Speed
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 Restrictions
While ClickFunnels features email marketing features, they’re not as advanced as dedicated email marketing platforms. Power users might still need additional tools for complex email campaigns.
ClickFunnels Competition: How They Compare
The sales funnel and landing page builder market has become increasingly crowded. Here’s how ClickFunnels stacks up against its main competitors:
1. Kartra
Positives relative to ClickFunnels:
- More thorough marketing automation
- Built-in video hosting and advanced video marketing features
- More capable email marketing capabilities
- Helpdesk and ticket system included
Disadvantages:
- Steeper learning curve
- Fewer templates specifically optimized for sales funnels
- Less active community
2. Leadpages
Advantages:
- More budget-friendly entry point ($37/month)
- Strong focus on lead generation
- Excellent mobile-responsive designs
- Solid WordPress integration
Drawbacks:
- Less comprehensive than ClickFunnels (primarily focuses on landing pages)
- Limited checkout and payment processing options
- No built-in email marketing
3. Unbounce
Strong points:
- Advanced A/B testing capabilities
- Highly customizable design options
- Strong analytics and conversion intelligence
- More affordable starting point
Drawbacks:
- Primarily focused on landing pages rather than complete funnels
- No built-in payment processing
- Less intuitive for non-technical users
4. Systeme.io
Strong points:
- Significantly more cost-effective (starting at $27/month, with a free plan available)
- All-in-one solution similar to ClickFunnels
- Simple, intuitive interface
Weaknesses:
- Fewer templates and design options
- Less comprehensive feature set
- Smaller community and fewer educational resources
5. Instapage
Strengths:
- Superior design flexibility and customization
- Advanced collaboration features
- Excellent analytics and heatmaps
- Strong AdWords and Facebook Ads integration
Weaknesses:
- 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 cost-effective option if you already have WordPress
- Ultimate flexibility and customization
- Complete ownership and control
- One-time purchases versus subscription model
Weaknesses:
- 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 Should Use ClickFunnels?
ClickFunnels is particularly beneficial for:
1. Information Product Creators and Coaches
The platform is perfect 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. E-commerce Businesses
With ClickFunnels 2.0’s improved e-commerce features, online retailers can create effective product funnels that grow average order value through upsells, downsells, and order bumps.
3. Consulting Businesses
Consultants, agencies, and service providers can use ClickFunnels to produce leads, book appointments, and sell service packages without complex website development.
4. Partnership Marketers
The platform’s optimization for conversions makes it perfect 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 offer books while capturing reader information for long-term relationship building.
6. Design-Inexperienced Entrepreneurs
Those without coding or design skills will benefit from ClickFunnels’ intuitive interface and pre-built templates.
Who Should Explore Other Options Elsewhere?
ClickFunnels may not be the best fit for:
1. Solo Entrepreneurs with Limited Budgets
The monthly investment might be too high for businesses just starting out or with tight marketing budgets.
2. Media-Rich Websites
Businesses that rely heavily on blog content and SEO might find traditional CMS platforms like WordPress more appropriate, though ClickFunnels 2.0 has made improvements in this area.
3. Design Experts Seeking Complete Creative Control
Those who require pixel-perfect designs and extensive customization might prefer platforms with more design flexibility.
4. Corporate Businesses with Complex Requirements
Very large organizations with complex integration needs and custom requirements might need more bespoke solutions.
Beginning Your Journey with ClickFunnels: Tips for Success
If you decide to try ClickFunnels, here are some tips to improve your experience:
1. Start with the Right Funnel Type
Pick a funnel template that corresponds to your specific goal, whether it’s lead generation, product sales, or webinar registration.
2. Emphasize 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. Utilize the Training Resources
Take advantage of the abundant training materials, including ClickFunnels’ onboarding sequence and the FunnelFlix training library.
4. Connect with the Community
The ClickFunnels Facebook group provides helpful insights and support from fellow users who can help address issues or suggest optimization strategies.
5. Test 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, alter existing high-converting templates to match your brand and offering.
Final Thoughts: Is ClickFunnels Worth It?
ClickFunnels represents a substantial investment, but for many businesses, the yield on that investment can be considerable. The platform’s strength lies in its ability to ease the complex process of creating effective sales funnels while providing the tools needed to grow leads and convert customers.
The decision ultimately depends on your specific business needs, technical comfort level, and budget. If you’re dedicated to optimizing your online sales process and appreciate an all-in-one solution that doesn’t require technical expertise, ClickFunnels offers a persuasive package-especially with the upgraded capabilities of ClickFunnels 2.0.
For businesses that can handle the monthly subscription and are serious about implementing effective sales funnels, ClickFunnels provides both the tools and the strategic framework to excel in today’s competitive digital landscape. The platform regularly evolve, addressing previous limitations and expanding its capabilities to serve a broader range of marketing needs.
Whether you’re selling downloadable items, retail products, or services, ClickFunnels offers a direct path from stranger to customer-and that, for many businesses, is worth the investment.