In the modern e-commerce world, moving leads to sales is the main aim for any online business. This is where customer journey software comes into play, and ClickFunnels remains one of the most established names in this niche.
Launched by Russell Brunson in 2014, ClickFunnels has reshaped the way entrepreneurs and businesses conduct online sales, working to optimize the user experience from awareness to buying decision.
But is ClickFunnels cost-effective? Does it meet its expectations? Whether you’re a seasoned marketer or new to online business, this thorough review will provide you with the complete picture you need to make an smart choice about ClickFunnels.
What Is ClickFunnels?
ClickFunnels is an complete marketing platform developed to help businesses build optimized sales funnels without the need for technical expertise or a team of developers. At its center, ClickFunnels allows users to create landing pages, make email sequences, manage payments, and manage customer relationships-all within a one platform.
The Idea of Sales Funnels
Before diving deeper into ClickFunnels, it’s important 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 levels like discovery, interest, assessment, and action.
Standard websites are often developed without a defined route for visitors to navigate. This can result in high bounce rates and squandered potential customers. Sales funnels, conversely, are methodically developed to guide visitors through a defined path, enhancing the likelihood of results at each step.
ClickFunnels’ System
ClickFunnels has streamlined the process of creating these funnels with its visual editor and prepared templates. The platform’s approach centers around not just constructing web pages but creating impactful conversion paths that convert visitors into customers and customers into loyal fans.
Key Features of ClickFunnels
1. Funnel Development Tool
The foundation of ClickFunnels is its straightforward funnel builder. Users can select a variety of funnel types, including:
- Opt-in funnels: Designed to collect email addresses
- Sales funnels: For retailing products or services
- Webinar funnels: To advertise and register users for webinars
- Membership funnels: For continuity products
The visual interface makes it straightforward to add elements like text, images, videos, forms, and buttons without producing a single line of code.
2. Ready-made Templates
ClickFunnels features over 100 pre-designed templates for various industries and purposes. These templates, created by industry professionals, are engineered for success and can be modified to match your brand.
3. Experimental Testing
Knowing what engages your audience is vital for improving conversions. ClickFunnels’ A/B testing tool allows you to create multiple versions of your pages and analyze different elements to see which performs better.
4. Email Automation
ClickFunnels incorporates email marketing capabilities, allowing you to design automated email sequences activated by specific actions. This feature helps nurture leads and move them further down the sales funnel.
5. Transaction Handling
The platform flawlessly integrates with payment processors like Stripe, PayPal, and others, facilitating you to accept payments right through your funnels without transferring customers to external sites.
6. Subscription Areas
For creators selling courses or subscription content, ClickFunnels includes the ability to create protected membership areas where subscribers can access restricted content.
7. Results Monitoring
ClickFunnels provides thorough analytics on funnel success, including page views, conversions, and earnings. These insights help users refine their funnels for improved results.
8. Affiliate Tracking
If you have an affiliate program, ClickFunnels makes it effortless to oversee your affiliates, monitor their performance, and handle commission payments.
ClickFunnels 2.0: The Improvement
In 2022, ClickFunnels released its most important update: ClickFunnels 2.0. This new version marks a complete reconstruction of the platform with advanced features and capabilities.
Improvements in 2.0?
- Upgraded Website Builder: A more capable website builder that allows for complete website creation, not just funnels
- Enhanced E-commerce Capabilities: Better product management, inventory tracking, and order fulfillment
- Blog Creation: The ability to establish and administer a blog directly within ClickFunnels
- Improved Customization: More freedom in design and functionality
- Refined User Interface: A more elegant dashboard and editor
- Efficiency Gains: Faster page loading times and better mobile responsiveness
- Improved CRM Features: More advanced customer relationship management tools
The upgrade to 2.0 addresses 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 match businesses of various sizes:
Fundamental 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 delivers:
- 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 includes:
- 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 provide a 14-day free trial, allowing users to try the platform before subscribing financially.
The Strengths of Using ClickFunnels
1. All-In-One Solution
Perhaps the largest advantage of ClickFunnels is that it integrates multiple tools into one platform. Instead of coordinating different services for landing pages, email marketing, payment processing, and membership sites, users can control all these aspects in one place.
2. No Development Experience Required
The platform’s user-friendly interface does away with the need for coding or design skills. This makes accessible the funnel-building process, making it available to entrepreneurs without technical backgrounds.
3. Time Savings
With pre-built templates and a simplified workflow, ClickFunnels significantly reduces the time needed to start a marketing campaign. What might take weeks with custom development can be finished in days or even hours.
4. Community and Support
ClickFunnels has built a thriving community of users who share strategies, successes, and advice. The official ClickFunnels Facebook group has over 250,000 members, creating a helpful resource for marketers at all levels. Additionally, the platform offers detailed documentation, tutorials, and responsive customer support.
5. Proven Conversion Frameworks
The templates and funnel structures within ClickFunnels are created from proven marketing principles and tested conversion strategies. This means users benefit from established best practices rather than building from zero.
6. Educational Resources
Beyond the software itself, ClickFunnels offers a multitude of educational resources. Russell Brunson’s books, such as “DotCom Secrets” and “Expert Secrets,” provide insightful marketing insights, while the ClickFunnels training programs offer systematic learning opportunities.
Downsides and Drawbacks
Despite its many positives, ClickFunnels isn’t without limitations:
1. Cost
Starting at $147 per month, ClickFunnels represents a major investment, especially for small businesses or startups with limited budgets. Many competitors offer more inexpensive entry-level options.
2. Adoption Challenge
While designed to be easy to use, mastering all of ClickFunnels’ features and understanding funnel strategy needs time and dedication. New users might feel challenged by the platform’s capabilities.
3. Restricted 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 Speed Performance
Prior to 2.0, some users reported difficulties with page loading speed, which can hurt SEO and user experience. While ClickFunnels 2.0 has improved performance, optimizing for speed calls for attention.
5. Email Marketing Constraints
While ClickFunnels offers email marketing features, they’re not as powerful as dedicated email marketing platforms. Power users might still need additional tools for elaborate 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
Benefits relative to ClickFunnels:
- More extensive marketing automation
- Built-in video hosting and advanced video marketing features
- More advanced email marketing capabilities
- Helpdesk and ticket system included
Drawbacks:
- Steeper learning curve
- Fewer templates specifically optimized for sales funnels
- Less active community
2. Leadpages
Strong points:
- More inexpensive entry point ($37/month)
- Strong focus on lead generation
- Excellent mobile-responsive designs
- Solid WordPress integration
Limitations:
- Less comprehensive 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
Weaknesses:
- Primarily focused on landing pages rather than complete funnels
- No built-in payment processing
- Less intuitive for non-technical users
4. Systeme.io
Strengths:
- 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 robust 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
Disadvantages:
- 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)
Benefits:
- 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 Should Use ClickFunnels?
ClickFunnels is particularly well-suited 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. Digital Sales Businesses
With ClickFunnels 2.0’s expanded e-commerce features, online retailers can create effective product funnels that grow average order value through upsells, downsells, and order bumps.
3. Professional Services Businesses
Consultants, agencies, and service providers can use ClickFunnels to obtain leads, book appointments, and sell service packages without complex website development.
4. Affiliate Marketers
The platform’s optimization for conversions makes it ideal for affiliate marketers looking to maximize their commissions from promotional campaigns.
5. Content Creators and Content Creators
ClickFunnels provides effective book funnel templates that help authors offer books while obtaining reader information for long-term relationship building.
6. Technically Challenged Entrepreneurs
Those without coding or design skills will enjoy ClickFunnels’ simple interface and pre-built templates.
Who Might Want to Look Elsewhere?
ClickFunnels may not be the right option for:
1. Startups with Limited Budgets
The monthly investment might be unaffordable 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 ideal, though ClickFunnels 2.0 has made improvements in this area.
3. Design Experts Seeking Complete Creative Control
Those who require flawless 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.
Launching with ClickFunnels: Tips for Success
If you decide to try ClickFunnels, here are some tips to increase 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 successful funnel before moving on to the next.
3. Leverage the Training Resources
Take advantage of the comprehensive training materials, including ClickFunnels’ onboarding sequence and the FunnelFlix training library.
4. Participate in the Community
The ClickFunnels Facebook group provides important insights and support from fellow users who can help address issues or suggest optimization strategies.
5. Experiment and Optimize
Use the A/B testing features to consistently refine your funnels based on actual user behavior and conversion data.
6. Start with Available Templates
Rather than building from scratch, customize existing high-converting templates to match your brand and offering.
Wrapping Up: Is ClickFunnels Worth It?
ClickFunnels represents a significant investment, but for many businesses, the benefit 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 nurture leads and convert customers.
The decision ultimately revolves around 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 persuasive package-especially with the improved capabilities of ClickFunnels 2.0.
For businesses that can support the monthly subscription and are dedicated to implementing effective sales funnels, ClickFunnels provides both the tools and the strategic framework to excel in today’s competitive digital landscape. The platform is always evolve, resolving previous limitations and growing its capabilities to serve a broader range of marketing needs.
Whether you’re selling digital products, tangible products, or consulting, ClickFunnels offers a direct path from stranger to customer-and that, for many businesses, is well worth the investment.