In today’s digital marketplace, changing visitors to customers is the key focus for any web-based business. This is where sales funnel software proves valuable, and ClickFunnels positions itself as one of the most recognized names in this field.
Created by Russell Brunson in 2014, ClickFunnels has transformed the way marketers and organizations approach online sales, striving to streamline the purchase process from initial interest to buying decision.
But is ClickFunnels a good value? Does it deliver on its promises? Whether you’re a established entrepreneur or just starting your entrepreneurial journey, this complete review will provide you with the complete picture you need to make an informed decision about ClickFunnels.
Understanding ClickFunnels?
ClickFunnels is an integrated marketing platform built to help businesses construct optimized sales funnels without demanding technical expertise or a team of developers. At its core, ClickFunnels allows users to create landing pages, generate email sequences, execute payments, and administer customer relationships-all within a centralized platform.
The Idea of Sales Funnels
Ahead of diving deeper into ClickFunnels, it’s important to understand what a sales funnel is. A sales funnel symbolizes the journey customers go through from first encountering your product or service to converting.
It typically includes steps like exposure, appeal, assessment, and conversion.
Typical web pages are often constructed without a clear path for visitors to follow. This can create high bounce rates and forfeited potential customers. Sales funnels, in comparison, are purposefully created to lead visitors through a planned path, raising the likelihood of success at each step.
ClickFunnels’ System
ClickFunnels has uncomplicated the process of creating these funnels with its drag-and-drop editor and template templates. The platform’s methodology centers around not just constructing web pages but creating successful conversion paths that convert visitors into customers and customers into loyal fans.
Key Features of ClickFunnels
1. Funnel Builder
The heart of ClickFunnels is its straightforward funnel builder. Users can pick a variety of funnel types, including:
- Opt-in funnels: Made to collect email addresses
- Sales funnels: For offering products or services
- Webinar funnels: To promote and register users for webinars
- Membership funnels: For recurring products
The visual interface makes it easy to add parts like text, images, videos, forms, and buttons without creating a single line of code.
2. Pre-built Templates
ClickFunnels includes over many pre-designed templates for various industries and purposes. These templates, created by experienced designers, are engineered for success and can be tailored to match your brand.
3. Variant Testing
Understanding what works for your audience is crucial for enhancing conversions. ClickFunnels’ A/B testing tool allows you to design multiple versions of your pages and analyze different elements to see which performs better.
4. Email Marketing
ClickFunnels features email marketing capabilities, allowing you to develop automated email sequences initiated by specific actions. This feature helps nurture leads and direct them further down the sales funnel.
5. Payment Processing
The platform effortlessly integrates with payment processors like PayPal, Stripe, and more, permitting you to accept payments straight through your funnels without shifting customers to external sites.
6. Member Portals
For entrepreneurs selling courses or subscription content, ClickFunnels provides the ability to create restricted membership areas where users can access restricted content.
7. Statistics and Metrics
ClickFunnels furnishes extensive analytics on funnel performance, including page views, conversions, and earnings. These information help users optimize their funnels for greater results.
8. Commission Management
If you have an affiliate program, ClickFunnels makes it straightforward to run your affiliates, analyze their performance, and process commission payments.
ClickFunnels 2.0: The Upgrade
In 2022, ClickFunnels released its most major update: ClickFunnels 2.0. This new version embodies a complete reconstruction of the platform with advanced features and capabilities.
New Features in 2.0?
- Upgraded Website Builder: A more capable website builder that allows for complete website creation, not just funnels
- Improved E-commerce Capabilities: Better product management, inventory tracking, and order fulfillment
- Blog Creation: The ability to establish and maintain a blog directly within ClickFunnels
- Enhanced Customization: More adaptability in design and functionality
- Improved User Interface: A more intuitive dashboard and editor
- Speed Enhancements: Faster page loading times and better mobile responsiveness
- Enhanced CRM Features: More powerful customer relationship management tools
The upgrade to 2.0 fixes many of the constraints users experienced with the original version, making it a more robust marketing solution.
Pricing Structure
ClickFunnels provides different pricing tiers to support businesses of various sizes:
Entry-Level Plan
The Basic plan (now called the “Standard” plan in ClickFunnels 2.0) comes in 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
Professional 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
Top-tier Plan
For $997 per month, the Funnel Hacker plan provides:
- 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 test the platform before investing financially.
The Perks of Using ClickFunnels
1. Integrated Solution
Perhaps the primary advantage of ClickFunnels is that it consolidates multiple tools into one platform. Instead of switching between different services for landing pages, email marketing, payment processing, and membership sites, users can administer all these aspects in one place.
2. No Coding Knowledge Required
The platform’s intuitive interface eliminates the need for coding or design skills. This simplifies the funnel-building process, making it manageable to entrepreneurs without technical backgrounds.
3. Time Efficiency
With prepared templates and a simplified workflow, ClickFunnels significantly minimizes the time needed to deploy a marketing campaign. What might take weeks with custom development can be finished in days or even hours.
4. Community and Support
ClickFunnels has created a thriving community of users who share 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 extensive documentation, tutorials, and responsive customer support.
5. Established Conversion Frameworks
The templates and funnel structures within ClickFunnels are created from proven marketing principles and tested conversion strategies. This means users leverage established best practices rather than building from zero.
6. Educational Resources
Beyond the software itself, ClickFunnels offers a abundance of educational resources. Russell Brunson’s books, such as “DotCom Secrets” and “Expert Secrets,” provide helpful marketing insights, while the ClickFunnels training programs offer methodical learning opportunities.
Weaknesses and Drawbacks
Despite its many advantages, ClickFunnels isn’t without limitations:
1. Expense
Starting at $147 per month, ClickFunnels represents a substantial investment, especially for freelancers or startups with limited budgets. Many competitors offer more economical entry-level options.
2. Learning Process
While designed to be accessible, mastering all of ClickFunnels’ features and understanding funnel strategy demands time and dedication. New users might feel challenged by the platform’s capabilities.
3. Finite Design Flexibility
Though the point-and-click editor is robust, designers accustomed to more advanced tools might find it confining. The balance between simplicity and flexibility sometimes prioritizes the former.
4. Page Performance
Prior to 2.0, some users reported difficulties with page loading speed, which can diminish SEO and user experience. While ClickFunnels 2.0 has improved performance, optimizing for speed demands attention.
5. Email Marketing Constraints
While ClickFunnels contains email marketing features, they’re not as powerful as dedicated email marketing platforms. Power users might still need additional tools for sophisticated email campaigns.
ClickFunnels Contenders: How They Compare
The sales funnel and landing page builder market has become increasingly contested. Here’s how ClickFunnels stands up to its main competitors:
1. Kartra
Strong points relative to ClickFunnels:
- More extensive marketing automation
- Built-in video hosting and advanced video marketing features
- More sophisticated email marketing capabilities
- Helpdesk and ticket system included
Limitations:
- Steeper learning curve
- Fewer templates specifically optimized for sales funnels
- Less active community
2. Leadpages
Strengths:
- More affordable entry point ($37/month)
- Strong focus on lead generation
- Excellent mobile-responsive designs
- Solid WordPress integration
Drawbacks:
- Less full-featured than ClickFunnels (primarily focuses on landing pages)
- Limited checkout and payment processing options
- No built-in email marketing
3. Unbounce
Strengths:
- Advanced A/B testing capabilities
- Highly flexible 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 user-friendly 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
Drawbacks:
- Fewer templates and design options
- Less powerful 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 affordable 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 beneficial for:
1. Online Course 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 easy to deliver content to paying customers.
2. E-commerce Businesses
With ClickFunnels 2.0’s enhanced e-commerce features, online retailers can create effective product funnels that boost average order value through upsells, downsells, and order bumps.
3. Consulting Businesses
Professionals, agencies, and service providers can use ClickFunnels to create 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 enhance 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. Non-Technical Entrepreneurs
Those without coding or design skills will welcome ClickFunnels’ simple interface and pre-built templates.
Who Should Consider Alternatives Elsewhere?
ClickFunnels may not be the perfect match for:
1. Small Businesses with Limited Budgets
The monthly investment might be unaffordable 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 appropriate, though ClickFunnels 2.0 has made improvements in this area.
3. Design Specialists Seeking Complete Creative Control
Those who require pixel-perfect 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 dedicated solutions.
Starting Out 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
Select 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 effective 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. Join the Community
The ClickFunnels Facebook group provides useful insights and support from fellow users who can help fix issues or suggest optimization strategies.
5. Test and Optimize
Use the A/B testing features to regularly refine your funnels based on actual user behavior and conversion data.
6. Start with Ready-made Templates
Rather than building from scratch, modify 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 substantial. The platform’s strength lies in its ability to ease the complex process of creating effective sales funnels while providing the tools needed to foster leads and convert customers.
The decision ultimately hinges on your specific business needs, technical comfort level, and budget. If you’re intent on 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 invested in implementing effective sales funnels, ClickFunnels provides both the tools and the strategic framework to prosper in today’s competitive digital landscape. The platform regularly evolve, addressing previous limitations and growing its capabilities to serve a broader range of marketing needs.
Whether you’re selling online courses, merchandise, or expertise, ClickFunnels offers a simplified path from stranger to customer-and that, for many businesses, is justified for the investment.