In today’s competitive online environment, changing visitors to customers is the key focus for every e-commerce venture. This is where customer journey software becomes essential, and ClickFunnels stands as one of the most prominent names in this space.
Started by Russell Brunson in 2014, ClickFunnels has reimagined the way companies and business owners handle online sales, striving to simplify the user experience from first contact to completed sale.
But is ClickFunnels worth your money? Does it fulfill its potential? Whether you’re a experienced business owner or new to online business, this comprehensive review will provide you with the complete picture you need to make an well-informed choice about ClickFunnels.
All About ClickFunnels?
ClickFunnels is an complete marketing platform created to help businesses develop optimized sales funnels without the need for technical expertise or a team of developers. At its center, ClickFunnels allows users to construct landing pages, create email sequences, manage payments, and supervise customer relationships-all within a one platform.
The Fundamentals of Sales Funnels
Preceding diving deeper into ClickFunnels, it’s important to understand what a sales funnel is. A sales funnel shows the process customers go through from being introduced to your product or service to completing a transaction.
It typically includes levels like discovery, engagement, evaluation, and transaction.
Standard websites are often constructed without a structured journey for visitors to trace. This can result in high bounce rates and missed potential customers. Sales funnels, on the other hand, are deliberately structured to direct visitors through a predetermined path, enhancing the likelihood of sales at each step.
ClickFunnels’ Methodology
ClickFunnels has made easier the process of creating these funnels with its intuitive editor and pre-built templates. The platform’s methodology centers around not just constructing web pages but creating impactful conversion paths that turn visitors into customers and customers into repeat buyers.
Essential Components of ClickFunnels
1. Funnel Creator
The foundation of ClickFunnels is its intuitive funnel builder. Users can choose from a variety of funnel types, including:
- Opt-in funnels: Designed to collect email addresses
- Sales funnels: For selling products or services
- Webinar funnels: To promote and register users for webinars
- Membership funnels: For subscription-based 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. Pre-built Templates
ClickFunnels includes over numerous professionally created templates for multiple industries and purposes. These templates, developed by professional marketers, are engineered for success and can be modified to match your brand.
3. Experimental Testing
Understanding what connects with your audience is key for increasing conversions. ClickFunnels’ A/B testing tool allows you to build multiple versions of your pages and evaluate different elements to see which delivers better results.
4. Email Sequences
ClickFunnels integrates email marketing capabilities, allowing you to design automated email sequences started by specific actions. This feature helps grow leads and guide them further down the sales funnel.
5. Billing Integration
The platform seamlessly integrates with payment processors like Stripe, PayPal, and others, permitting you to accept payments instantly through your funnels without shifting customers to external sites.
6. Protected Content
For professionals selling courses or subscription content, ClickFunnels delivers the ability to create restricted membership areas where subscribers can access exclusive content.
7. Results Monitoring
ClickFunnels supplies thorough analytics on funnel success, including page views, conversions, and earnings. These information help users improve their funnels for higher results.
8. Referral System
If you have an affiliate program, ClickFunnels makes it simple to run your affiliates, observe their performance, and distribute commission payments.
ClickFunnels 2.0: The Upgrade
In 2022, ClickFunnels released its most major update: ClickFunnels 2.0. This new version marks a complete overhaul of the platform with enhanced features and capabilities.
New Features in 2.0?
- Better Website Builder: A more sophisticated website builder that allows for complete website creation, not just funnels
- Expanded E-commerce Capabilities: Better product management, inventory tracking, and order fulfillment
- Blog Creation: The ability to develop and handle a blog directly within ClickFunnels
- Advanced Customization: More adaptability in design and functionality
- Enhanced User Interface: A simpler dashboard and editor
- Performance Improvements: Faster page loading times and better mobile responsiveness
- Advanced CRM Features: More capable 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 accommodate 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
Plus 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 contains:
- 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 committing financially.
The Advantages of Using ClickFunnels
1. Unified Solution
Perhaps the biggest advantage of ClickFunnels is that it merges 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 Programming Expertise Required
The platform’s drag-and-drop interface takes away the need for coding or design skills. This simplifies the funnel-building process, making it usable to entrepreneurs without technical backgrounds.
3. Quick Setup
With prepared templates and a simplified workflow, ClickFunnels significantly decreases the time needed to deploy a marketing campaign. What might take weeks with custom development can be accomplished in days or even hours.
4. Network and Assistance
ClickFunnels has established a dynamic community of users who share 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 thorough documentation, tutorials, and responsive customer support.
5. Proven Conversion Frameworks
The templates and funnel structures within ClickFunnels are derived from proven marketing principles and tested conversion strategies. This means users benefit from established best practices rather than starting from scratch.
6. Instructional Assets
Beyond the software itself, ClickFunnels offers a abundance of educational resources. Russell Brunson’s books, such as “DotCom Secrets” and “Expert Secrets,” provide beneficial marketing insights, while the ClickFunnels training programs offer organized learning opportunities.
Downsides and Drawbacks
Despite its many merits, ClickFunnels isn’t without limitations:
1. Investment
Starting at $147 per month, ClickFunnels represents a significant investment, especially for individual entrepreneurs or startups with limited budgets. Many competitors offer more inexpensive entry-level options.
2. Learning Process
While designed to be easy to use, mastering all of ClickFunnels’ features and understanding funnel strategy demands time and dedication. New users might feel overwhelmed by the platform’s capabilities.
3. Constrained Design Flexibility
Though the point-and-click editor is strong, designers accustomed to more advanced tools might find it confining. The balance between simplicity and flexibility sometimes leans toward the former.
4. Page Load Time
Prior to 2.0, some users reported difficulties with page loading speed, which can negatively impact SEO and user experience. While ClickFunnels 2.0 has improved performance, optimizing for speed demands attention.
5. Email Marketing Shortcomings
While ClickFunnels provides email marketing features, they’re not as robust as dedicated email marketing platforms. Power users might still need additional tools for advanced email campaigns.
ClickFunnels Contenders: How They Compare
The sales funnel and landing page builder market has become increasingly crowded. Here’s how ClickFunnels fares against its main competitors:
1. Kartra
Benefits relative to ClickFunnels:
- More complete marketing automation
- Built-in video hosting and advanced video marketing features
- More capable email marketing capabilities
- Helpdesk and ticket system included
Weaknesses:
- 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 robust 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 adaptable design options
- Strong analytics and conversion intelligence
- More affordable starting point
Weaknesses:
- Primarily focused on landing pages rather than complete funnels
- No built-in payment processing
- Less simple for non-technical users
4. Systeme.io
Benefits:
- Significantly more cost-effective (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
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)
Positives:
- 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 ideal for:
1. Information Product Creators and Coaches
The platform is optimized 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. Web Store 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
Advisors, agencies, and service providers can use ClickFunnels to acquire leads, book appointments, and sell service packages without complex website development.
4. Partnership Marketers
The platform’s optimization for conversions makes it suitable for affiliate marketers looking to maximize their commissions from promotional campaigns.
5. Publishers and Content Creators
ClickFunnels provides effective book funnel templates that help authors sell books while securing reader information for long-term relationship building.
6. Non-Technical Entrepreneurs
Those without coding or design skills will enjoy ClickFunnels’ accessible interface and pre-built templates.
Who Should Consider Alternatives Elsewhere?
ClickFunnels may not be the right option for:
1. Startups with Limited Budgets
The monthly investment might be prohibitive 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 suitable, though ClickFunnels 2.0 has made improvements in this area.
3. Design Specialists Seeking Complete Creative Control
Those who require exact 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.
First Steps 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
Decide on a funnel template that aligns with 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 converting funnel before moving on to the next.
3. Utilize the Training Resources
Take advantage of the comprehensive training materials, including ClickFunnels’ onboarding sequence and the FunnelFlix training library.
4. Engage with the Community
The ClickFunnels Facebook group provides valuable insights and support from fellow users who can help fix issues or suggest optimization strategies.
5. Experiment and Optimize
Use the A/B testing features to constantly refine your funnels based on actual user behavior and conversion data.
6. Start with Existing Templates
Rather than building from scratch, customize existing high-converting templates to match your brand and offering.
Conclusion: Is ClickFunnels Worth It?
ClickFunnels represents a substantial investment, but for many businesses, the yield 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 develop leads and convert customers.
The decision ultimately hinges on your specific business needs, technical comfort level, and budget. If you’re dedicated to optimizing your online sales process and prefer 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 afford 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 regularly evolve, fixing previous limitations and enhancing its capabilities to serve a broader range of marketing needs.
Whether you’re selling e-products, physical goods, or coaching, ClickFunnels offers a streamlined path from stranger to customer-and that, for many businesses, is deserving of the investment.