In today’s competitive online environment, moving leads to sales is the ultimate goal for any web-based business. This is where sales funnel software becomes essential, and ClickFunnels positions itself as one of the most established names in this sector.
Started by Russell Brunson in 2014, ClickFunnels has revolutionized the way businesses and digital marketers approach online sales, working to streamline the user experience from first interaction to buying decision.
But is ClickFunnels a good value? Does it meet its expectations? Whether you’re a established entrepreneur or new to online business, this comprehensive review will provide you with all the information you need to make an calculated decision about ClickFunnels.
What Is ClickFunnels?
ClickFunnels is an integrated marketing platform engineered to help businesses create optimized sales funnels without requiring technical expertise or a team of developers. At its foundation, ClickFunnels allows users to build landing pages, make email sequences, execute payments, and supervise customer relationships-all within a one platform.
The Idea of Sales Funnels
In advance of diving deeper into ClickFunnels, it’s crucial to understand what a sales funnel is. A sales funnel illustrates the process customers go through from being introduced to your product or service to making a purchase.
It typically includes phases like awareness, curiosity, deliberation, and action.
Standard websites are often created without a logical progression for visitors to navigate. This can result in high bounce rates and wasted potential customers. Sales funnels, alternatively, are methodically developed to lead visitors through a planned path, raising the likelihood of positive outcomes at each step.
ClickFunnels’ Methodology
ClickFunnels has streamlined the process of creating these funnels with its user-friendly editor and pre-built templates. The platform’s concept centers around not just developing web pages but creating successful conversion paths that transform visitors into customers and customers into brand ambassadors.
Key Features of ClickFunnels
1. Funnel Creator
The center of ClickFunnels is its user-friendly funnel builder. Users can pick a variety of funnel types, including:
- Opt-in funnels: Created to collect email addresses
- Sales funnels: For retailing products or services
- Webinar funnels: To advertise and register users for webinars
- Membership funnels: For recurring products
The visual interface makes it uncomplicated to add elements like text, images, videos, forms, and buttons without producing a single line of code.
2. Pre-designed Templates
ClickFunnels delivers over 100 ready-made templates for various industries and purposes. These templates, produced by marketing specialists, are designed for results and can be adjusted to match your brand.
3. Split Testing
Identifying what resonates with your audience is essential for enhancing conversions. ClickFunnels’ A/B testing feature allows you to develop multiple versions of your pages and compare different elements to see which works best.
4. Email Campaigns
ClickFunnels integrates email marketing capabilities, allowing you to develop automated email sequences activated by specific actions. This feature helps nurture leads and direct them further down the sales funnel.
5. Payment Integration
The platform effortlessly integrates with payment processors like multiple payment options, permitting you to accept payments straight through your funnels without sending customers to external sites.
6. Subscription Areas
For experts selling courses or subscription content, ClickFunnels features the ability to create restricted membership areas where members can access premium content.
7. Analytics and Reporting
ClickFunnels provides in-depth analytics on funnel effectiveness, including page views, conversions, and earnings. These metrics help users perfect their funnels for higher results.
8. Affiliate Management
If you have an affiliate program, ClickFunnels makes it simple to oversee your affiliates, analyze their performance, and process commission payments.
ClickFunnels 2.0: The Improvement
In 2022, ClickFunnels released its most major update: ClickFunnels 2.0. This new version marks a complete reconstruction of the platform with expanded features and capabilities.
Upgrades in 2.0?
- Upgraded Website Builder: A more capable website builder that allows for full website creation, not just funnels
- Advanced E-commerce Capabilities: Better product management, inventory tracking, and order fulfillment
- Blog Creation: The ability to establish and run a blog directly within ClickFunnels
- Advanced Customization: More versatility in design and functionality
- Refined User Interface: A more intuitive dashboard and editor
- Efficiency Gains: Faster page loading times and better mobile responsiveness
- Enhanced CRM Features: More comprehensive customer relationship management tools
The upgrade to 2.0 solves many of the restrictions users experienced with the original version, making it a more all-encompassing marketing solution.
Pricing Structure
ClickFunnels presents different pricing tiers to support businesses of various sizes:
Basic Plan
The Basic plan (now called the “Standard” plan in ClickFunnels 2.0) runs $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
Professional Plan
At $197 per month, the Pro plan delivers:
- 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 features:
- 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 feature a 14-day free trial, allowing users to test the platform before deciding financially.
The Positives of Using ClickFunnels
1. Integrated Solution
Perhaps the greatest advantage of ClickFunnels is that it unifies multiple tools into one platform. Instead of managing different services for landing pages, email marketing, payment processing, and membership sites, users can manage all these aspects in one place.
2. No Technical Skills Required
The platform’s intuitive interface takes away the need for coding or design skills. This streamlines the funnel-building process, making it manageable to entrepreneurs without technical backgrounds.
3. Time Efficiency
With prepared templates and a streamlined workflow, ClickFunnels significantly reduces the time needed to deploy a marketing campaign. What might take weeks with custom development can be done in days or even hours.
4. Community and Support
ClickFunnels has established 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 complete documentation, tutorials, and responsive customer support.
5. Proven Conversion Frameworks
The templates and funnel structures within ClickFunnels are built upon proven marketing principles and tested conversion strategies. This means users employ established best practices rather than beginning anew.
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 insightful marketing insights, while the ClickFunnels training programs offer organized learning opportunities.
Disadvantages and Drawbacks
Despite its many positives, ClickFunnels isn’t without limitations:
1. Price Point
Starting at $147 per month, ClickFunnels represents a major investment, especially for solopreneurs or startups with limited budgets. Many competitors offer more cost-effective entry-level options.
2. Training Requirement
While designed to be easy to use, mastering all of ClickFunnels’ features and understanding funnel strategy demands time and dedication. New users might feel daunted by the platform’s capabilities.
3. Modest Design Flexibility
Though the builder editor is strong, designers accustomed to more advanced tools might find it confining. The balance between simplicity and flexibility sometimes emphasizes the former.
4. Page Performance
Prior to 2.0, some users reported problems with page loading speed, which can harm SEO and user experience. While ClickFunnels 2.0 has improved performance, optimizing for speed needs attention.
5. Email Marketing Restrictions
While ClickFunnels includes email marketing features, they’re not as comprehensive as dedicated email marketing platforms. Power users might still need additional tools for complex email campaigns.
ClickFunnels Competitors: How They Compare
The sales funnel and landing page builder market has become increasingly populated. Here’s how ClickFunnels compares to its main competitors:
1. Kartra
Strong points relative to ClickFunnels:
- More complete marketing automation
- Built-in video hosting and advanced video marketing features
- More powerful email marketing capabilities
- Helpdesk and ticket system included
Weaknesses:
- Steeper learning curve
- Fewer templates specifically optimized for sales funnels
- Less active community
2. Leadpages
Benefits:
- More budget-friendly entry point ($37/month)
- Strong focus on lead generation
- Excellent mobile-responsive designs
- Solid WordPress integration
Disadvantages:
- Less robust than ClickFunnels (primarily focuses on landing pages)
- Limited checkout and payment processing options
- No built-in email marketing
3. Unbounce
Advantages:
- Advanced A/B testing capabilities
- Highly adjustable 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
Benefits:
- Significantly more affordable (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
Advantages:
- Superior design flexibility and customization
- Advanced collaboration features
- Excellent analytics and heatmaps
- Strong AdWords and Facebook Ads integration
Limitations:
- 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)
Strengths:
- Most cost-effective 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 Will Love ClickFunnels?
ClickFunnels is particularly appropriate for:
1. Online Course Creators 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 straightforward to deliver content to paying customers.
2. Online Retail Businesses
With ClickFunnels 2.0’s expanded e-commerce features, online retailers can create effective product funnels that increase average order value through upsells, downsells, and order bumps.
3. Client Service Businesses
Experts, agencies, and service providers can use ClickFunnels to obtain leads, book appointments, and sell service packages without complex website development.
4. Referral Marketers
The platform’s optimization for conversions makes it perfect for affiliate marketers looking to improve their commissions from promotional campaigns.
5. Authors and Content Creators
ClickFunnels provides effective book funnel templates that help authors offer books while capturing reader information for long-term relationship building.
6. Technically Challenged Entrepreneurs
Those without coding or design skills will welcome ClickFunnels’ accessible interface and pre-built templates.
Who May Not Be Ideal Elsewhere?
ClickFunnels may not be the best fit for:
1. New Ventures 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. Creative Professionals Seeking Complete Creative Control
Those who require meticulous 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 specialized solutions.
First Steps with ClickFunnels: Tips for Success
If you decide to try ClickFunnels, here are some tips to optimize your experience:
1. Start with the Right Funnel Type
Select a funnel template that matches 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. Employ the Training Resources
Take advantage of the abundant training materials, including ClickFunnels’ onboarding sequence and the FunnelFlix training library.
4. Join the Community
The ClickFunnels Facebook group provides helpful insights and support from fellow users who can help resolve issues or suggest optimization strategies.
5. Evaluate and Optimize
Use the A/B testing features to continuously refine your funnels based on actual user behavior and conversion data.
6. Start with Available Templates
Rather than building from scratch, modify existing high-converting templates to match your brand and offering.
Final Thoughts: Is ClickFunnels Worth It?
ClickFunnels represents a significant investment, but for many businesses, the reward on that investment can be significant. The platform’s strength lies in its ability to streamline the complex process of creating effective sales funnels while providing the tools needed to cultivate leads and convert customers.
The decision ultimately rests on your specific business needs, technical comfort level, and budget. If you’re serious about optimizing your online sales process and desire an all-in-one solution that doesn’t require technical expertise, ClickFunnels offers a convincing package-especially with the advanced capabilities of ClickFunnels 2.0.
For businesses that can handle the monthly subscription and are dedicated to implementing effective sales funnels, ClickFunnels provides both the tools and the strategic framework to thrive in today’s competitive digital landscape. The platform consistently evolve, fixing previous limitations and extending its capabilities to serve a broader range of marketing needs.
Whether you’re selling downloadable items, tangible products, or coaching, ClickFunnels offers a streamlined path from stranger to customer-and that, for many businesses, is justified for the investment.