In the current online business landscape, changing visitors to customers is the primary objective for any online business. This is where sales funnel software comes into play, and ClickFunnels remains one of the most recognized names in this field.
Created by Russell Brunson in 2014, ClickFunnels has reimagined the way entrepreneurs and online sellers conduct online sales, working to streamline the customer journey from awareness to buying decision.
But is ClickFunnels cost-effective? Does it deliver on its claims? Whether you’re a marketing professional or a beginner in digital marketing, this comprehensive review will provide you with all the information you need to make an smart choice about ClickFunnels.
All About ClickFunnels?
ClickFunnels is an integrated marketing platform developed to help businesses create optimized sales funnels without the need for technical expertise or a team of developers. At its foundation, ClickFunnels allows users to create landing pages, create email sequences, handle payments, and supervise customer relationships-all within a unified platform.
The Fundamentals of Sales Funnels
In advance of diving deeper into ClickFunnels, it’s critical to understand what a sales funnel is. A sales funnel represents the progression customers go through from being introduced to your product or service to completing a transaction.
It typically includes levels like awareness, curiosity, decision, and transaction.
Conventional sites are often built without a clear path for visitors to pursue. This can lead to high bounce rates and wasted potential customers. Sales funnels, alternatively, are methodically developed to guide visitors through a planned path, improving the likelihood of success at each step.
ClickFunnels’ Methodology
ClickFunnels has simplified the process of creating these funnels with its point-and-click editor and prepared templates. The platform’s philosophy centers around not just developing web pages but creating impactful conversion paths that transform visitors into customers and customers into advocates.
Main Capabilities of ClickFunnels
1. Funnel Designer
The foundation of ClickFunnels is its intuitive funnel builder. Users can decide between a variety of funnel types, including:
- Opt-in funnels: Developed to collect email addresses
- Sales funnels: For selling products or services
- Webinar funnels: To advertise and register users for webinars
- Membership funnels: For continuity products
The visual interface makes it simple to add components like text, images, videos, forms, and buttons without coding a single line of code.
2. Prepared Templates
ClickFunnels delivers over a hundred prepared templates for different industries and purposes. These templates, crafted by marketing experts, are engineered for results and can be modified to match your brand.
3. Comparative Testing
Knowing what connects with your audience is critical for increasing conversions. ClickFunnels’ A/B testing tool allows you to build multiple versions of your pages and compare different elements to see which works best.
4. Email Campaigns
ClickFunnels incorporates email marketing capabilities, allowing you to build automated email sequences triggered by specific actions. This feature helps nurture leads and push them further down the sales funnel.
5. Billing Integration
The platform flawlessly integrates with payment processors like various payment gateways, allowing you to accept payments directly through your funnels without redirecting customers to external sites.
6. Subscription Areas
For creators selling courses or subscription content, ClickFunnels features the ability to create private membership areas where customers can access protected content.
7. Statistics and Metrics
ClickFunnels delivers detailed analytics on funnel metrics, including page views, conversions, and earnings. These statistics help users optimize their funnels for stronger results.
8. Affiliate Management
If you have an affiliate program, ClickFunnels makes it straightforward to administer your affiliates, measure their performance, and handle commission payments.
ClickFunnels 2.0: The Advancement
In 2022, ClickFunnels released its most significant update: ClickFunnels 2.0. This new version marks a complete redesign of the platform with advanced features and capabilities.
New Features in 2.0?
- Better 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 handle a blog directly within ClickFunnels
- Sophisticated Customization: More flexibility in design and functionality
- Refined User Interface: A more elegant dashboard and editor
- Efficiency Gains: Faster page loading times and better mobile responsiveness
- Upgraded CRM Features: More powerful customer relationship management tools
The upgrade to 2.0 tackles many of the weaknesses users experienced with the original version, making it a more robust marketing solution.
Subscription Plans
ClickFunnels provides different pricing tiers to suit businesses of various sizes:
Basic Plan
The Basic plan (now called the “Standard” plan in ClickFunnels 2.0) costs $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
Pro 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
Funnel Hacker 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 feature a 14-day free trial, allowing users to evaluate the platform before paying financially.
The Perks of Using ClickFunnels
1. Comprehensive Solution
Perhaps the biggest advantage of ClickFunnels is that it combines multiple tools into one platform. Instead of handling different services for landing pages, email marketing, payment processing, and membership sites, users can operate all these aspects in one place.
2. No Technical Background Required
The platform’s visual interface takes away the need for coding or design skills. This simplifies the funnel-building process, making it accessible to entrepreneurs without technical backgrounds.
3. Time Efficiency
With ready-made templates and a optimized workflow, ClickFunnels significantly cuts the time needed to initiate 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 engaged community of users who offer 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 comprehensive 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 utilize established best practices rather than starting from scratch.
6. Training Content
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 systematic learning opportunities.
Downsides and Drawbacks
Despite its many positives, ClickFunnels isn’t without limitations:
1. Investment
Starting at $147 per month, ClickFunnels represents a considerable investment, especially for freelancers or startups with limited budgets. Many competitors offer more cost-effective entry-level options.
2. Learning Process
While designed to be straightforward, mastering all of ClickFunnels’ features and understanding funnel strategy takes time and dedication. New users might feel confused by the platform’s capabilities.
3. Restricted Design Flexibility
Though the drag-and-drop editor is capable, designers accustomed to more advanced tools might find it confining. The balance between simplicity and flexibility sometimes prioritizes the former.
4. Page Response Time
Prior to 2.0, some users reported issues with page loading speed, which can diminish SEO and user experience. While ClickFunnels 2.0 has improved performance, optimizing for speed requires attention.
5. Email Marketing Shortcomings
While ClickFunnels provides email marketing features, they’re not as sophisticated as dedicated email marketing platforms. Power users might still need additional tools for complex email campaigns.
ClickFunnels Contenders: 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
Strengths relative to ClickFunnels:
- More all-encompassing marketing automation
- Built-in video hosting and advanced video marketing features
- More powerful email marketing capabilities
- Helpdesk and ticket system included
Drawbacks:
- Steeper learning curve
- Fewer templates specifically optimized for sales funnels
- Less active community
2. Leadpages
Strengths:
- More inexpensive entry point ($37/month)
- Strong focus on lead generation
- Excellent mobile-responsive designs
- Solid WordPress integration
Shortcomings:
- Less full-featured 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 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 user-friendly for non-technical users
4. Systeme.io
Positives:
- Significantly more budget-friendly (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 extensive 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
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)
Advantages:
- 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 Will Love ClickFunnels?
ClickFunnels is particularly appropriate for:
1. Course Developers 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 easy to deliver content to paying customers.
2. Online Retail Businesses
With ClickFunnels 2.0’s improved e-commerce features, online retailers can create effective product funnels that boost average order value through upsells, downsells, and order bumps.
3. Consulting Businesses
Experts, agencies, and service providers can use ClickFunnels to obtain leads, book appointments, and sell service packages without complex website development.
4. Partnership Marketers
The platform’s optimization for conversions makes it excellent for affiliate marketers looking to increase their commissions from promotional campaigns.
5. Publishers and Content Creators
ClickFunnels provides effective book funnel templates that help authors market books while securing reader information for long-term relationship building.
6. Design-Inexperienced Entrepreneurs
Those without coding or design skills will appreciate ClickFunnels’ simple interface and pre-built templates.
Who Might Want to Look Elsewhere?
ClickFunnels may not be the perfect match 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. Content-Heavy 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 meticulous 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 dedicated solutions.
Beginning Your Journey 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
Opt for a funnel template that aligns with 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. Take advantage of the Training Resources
Take advantage of the thorough training materials, including ClickFunnels’ onboarding sequence and the FunnelFlix training library.
4. Participate in the Community
The ClickFunnels Facebook group provides valuable insights and support from fellow users who can help troubleshoot issues or suggest optimization strategies.
5. Evaluate and Optimize
Use the A/B testing features to consistently refine your funnels based on actual user behavior and conversion data.
6. Start with Ready-made Templates
Rather than building from scratch, adjust 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 yield on that investment can be significant. The platform’s strength lies in its ability to facilitate 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 committed to optimizing your online sales process and desire an all-in-one solution that doesn’t require technical expertise, ClickFunnels offers a compelling package-especially with the expanded capabilities of ClickFunnels 2.0.
For businesses that can manage the monthly subscription and are serious about implementing effective sales funnels, ClickFunnels provides both the tools and the strategic framework to thrive in today’s competitive digital landscape. The platform keeps evolve, addressing previous limitations and increasing its capabilities to serve a broader range of marketing needs.
Whether you’re selling information products, retail products, or services, ClickFunnels offers a efficient path from stranger to customer-and that, for many businesses, is justified for the investment.