In today’s competitive online environment, moving leads to sales is the main aim for any web-based business. This is where digital sales pipelines shows its worth, and ClickFunnels stands as one of the most well-known names in this field.
Founded by Russell Brunson in 2014, ClickFunnels has transformed the way companies and business owners manage online sales, aiming to streamline the conversion path from discovery to final purchase.
But is ClickFunnels worth your money? Does it live up to its hype? Whether you’re a experienced business owner or building your business from scratch, this detailed review will provide you with everything you need to make an well-informed choice about ClickFunnels.
Defining ClickFunnels?
ClickFunnels is an unified marketing platform built to help businesses design optimized sales funnels without the need for technical expertise or a team of developers. At its foundation, ClickFunnels allows users to develop landing pages, produce email sequences, facilitate payments, and oversee customer relationships-all within a integrated platform.
The Theory of Sales Funnels
Prior to diving deeper into ClickFunnels, it’s necessary to understand what a sales funnel is. A sales funnel represents the process customers go through from first encountering your product or service to buying.
It typically includes steps like visibility, curiosity, evaluation, and commitment.
Standard websites are often created without a logical progression for visitors to take. This can result in high bounce rates and lost potential customers. Sales funnels, on the other hand, are strategically designed to lead visitors through a structured path, improving the likelihood of results at each step.
ClickFunnels’ Approach
ClickFunnels has streamlined the process of creating these funnels with its point-and-click editor and prepared templates. The platform’s philosophy centers around not just building web pages but creating powerful conversion paths that turn visitors into customers and customers into repeat buyers.
Core Functions of ClickFunnels
1. Funnel Construction Kit
The center of ClickFunnels is its simple funnel builder. Users can select a variety of funnel types, including:
- Opt-in funnels: Developed to collect email addresses
- Sales funnels: For promoting products or services
- Webinar funnels: To promote and register users for webinars
- Membership funnels: For ongoing products
The intuitive 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 features over one hundred professionally created templates for different industries and purposes. These templates, produced by industry professionals, are designed for sales and can be customized to match your brand.
3. Experimental Testing
Identifying what resonates with your audience is vital for increasing conversions. ClickFunnels’ A/B testing option allows you to build multiple versions of your pages and compare different elements to see which converts higher.
4. Email Automation
ClickFunnels incorporates email marketing capabilities, allowing you to build automated email sequences started by specific actions. This feature helps develop leads and push them further down the sales funnel.
5. Payment Integration
The platform easily integrates with payment processors like Stripe, PayPal, and others, allowing you to accept payments straight through your funnels without redirecting customers to external sites.
6. Protected Content
For entrepreneurs selling courses or subscription content, ClickFunnels provides the ability to create exclusive membership areas where users can access special content.
7. Data Analysis
ClickFunnels delivers comprehensive analytics on funnel metrics, including page views, conversions, and earnings. These metrics help users perfect their funnels for stronger results.
8. Commission Management
If you have an affiliate program, ClickFunnels makes it uncomplicated to oversee your affiliates, track their performance, and administer commission payments.
ClickFunnels 2.0: The Improvement
In 2022, ClickFunnels released its most important update: ClickFunnels 2.0. This new version represents a complete rebuild of the platform with upgraded features and capabilities.
What’s New in 2.0?
- Upgraded Website Builder: A more robust 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 develop and run a blog directly within ClickFunnels
- Sophisticated Customization: More flexibility in design and functionality
- Enhanced User Interface: A more streamlined dashboard and editor
- Efficiency Gains: Faster page loading times and better mobile responsiveness
- Improved CRM Features: More sophisticated customer relationship management tools
The upgrade to 2.0 tackles many of the shortcomings users experienced with the original version, making it a more robust marketing solution.
Pricing Structure
ClickFunnels provides different pricing tiers to suit 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 features:
- 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 include a 14-day free trial, allowing users to test the platform before committing financially.
The Perks of Using ClickFunnels
1. Integrated Solution
Perhaps the largest advantage of ClickFunnels is that it combines multiple tools into one platform. Instead of managing different services for landing pages, email marketing, payment processing, and membership sites, users can operate all these aspects in one place.
2. No Coding Knowledge Required
The platform’s drag-and-drop interface takes away the need for coding or design skills. This streamlines the funnel-building process, making it accessible to entrepreneurs without technical backgrounds.
3. Rapid Deployment
With pre-built templates and a streamlined workflow, ClickFunnels significantly reduces the time needed to initiate a marketing campaign. What might take weeks with custom development can be finished in days or even hours.
4. Help Resources
ClickFunnels has created a thriving community of users who provide 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. Established Conversion Frameworks
The templates and funnel structures within ClickFunnels are built upon proven marketing principles and tested conversion strategies. This means users take advantage of established best practices rather than building from zero.
6. Learning Materials
Beyond the software itself, ClickFunnels offers a variety of educational resources. Russell Brunson’s books, such as “DotCom Secrets” and “Expert Secrets,” provide valuable marketing insights, while the ClickFunnels training programs offer organized learning opportunities.
Downsides and Drawbacks
Despite its many benefits, ClickFunnels isn’t without limitations:
1. Price Point
Starting at $147 per month, ClickFunnels represents a noteworthy investment, especially for freelancers or startups with limited budgets. Many competitors offer more inexpensive entry-level options.
2. Learning Process
While designed to be accessible, mastering all of ClickFunnels’ features and understanding funnel strategy calls for time and dedication. New users might feel overwhelmed by the platform’s capabilities.
3. Modest Design Flexibility
Though the intuitive editor is robust, designers accustomed to more advanced tools might find it restrictive. 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 harm SEO and user experience. While ClickFunnels 2.0 has improved performance, optimizing for speed takes attention.
5. Email Marketing Constraints
While ClickFunnels offers email marketing features, they’re not as advanced as dedicated email marketing platforms. Power users might still need additional tools for high-level email campaigns.
ClickFunnels Competition: How They Compare
The sales funnel and landing page builder market has become increasingly competitive. Here’s how ClickFunnels fares against its main competitors:
1. Kartra
Strong points relative to ClickFunnels:
- More all-encompassing marketing automation
- Built-in video hosting and advanced video marketing features
- More advanced email marketing capabilities
- Helpdesk and ticket system included
Shortcomings:
- 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
Shortcomings:
- Less full-featured 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 intuitive for non-technical users
4. Systeme.io
Strong points:
- Significantly more economical (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
Strengths:
- 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 economical 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 Will Love ClickFunnels?
ClickFunnels is particularly ideal for:
1. Online Course 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 easy to deliver content to paying customers.
2. Digital Sales Businesses
With ClickFunnels 2.0’s upgraded e-commerce features, online retailers can create effective product funnels that boost average order value through upsells, downsells, and order bumps.
3. Client Service Businesses
Experts, agencies, and service providers can use ClickFunnels to acquire leads, book appointments, and sell service packages without complex website development.
4. Digital Affiliates
The platform’s optimization for conversions makes it appropriate for affiliate marketers looking to maximize their commissions from promotional campaigns.
5. Writers and Content Creators
ClickFunnels provides effective book funnel templates that help authors distribute books while capturing reader information for long-term relationship building.
6. Design-Inexperienced Entrepreneurs
Those without coding or design skills will benefit from ClickFunnels’ straightforward interface and pre-built templates.
Who Might Want to Look Elsewhere?
ClickFunnels may not be the right option for:
1. Micro 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 ideal, though ClickFunnels 2.0 has made improvements in this area.
3. Design Experts 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 specialized solutions.
Starting Out with ClickFunnels: Tips for Success
If you decide to try ClickFunnels, here are some tips to improve your experience:
1. Start with the Right Funnel Type
Choose a funnel template that fits your specific goal, whether it’s lead generation, product sales, or webinar registration.
2. Focus on 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. Employ the Training Resources
Take advantage of the extensive training materials, including ClickFunnels’ onboarding sequence and the FunnelFlix training library.
4. Participate in the Community
The ClickFunnels Facebook group provides helpful 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 continuously refine your funnels based on actual user behavior and conversion data.
6. Start with Existing 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 substantial investment, but for many businesses, the reward on that investment can be substantial. The platform’s strength lies in its ability to uncomplicate the complex process of creating effective sales funnels while providing the tools needed to foster leads and convert customers.
The decision ultimately rests on your specific business needs, technical comfort level, and budget. If you’re focused on optimizing your online sales process and prioritize an all-in-one solution that doesn’t require technical expertise, ClickFunnels offers a compelling package-especially with the improved 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 thrive in today’s competitive digital landscape. The platform continues to evolve, solving previous limitations and enhancing its capabilities to serve a broader range of marketing needs.
Whether you’re selling digital products, items, or professional assistance, ClickFunnels offers a simplified path from stranger to customer-and that, for many businesses, is justified for the investment.