In today’s digital marketplace, changing visitors to customers is the key focus for every e-commerce venture. This is where customer journey software comes into play, and ClickFunnels remains one of the most established names in this niche.
Started by Russell Brunson in 2014, ClickFunnels has reimagined the way businesses and digital marketers approach online sales, striving to optimize the buyer’s path from initial interest to completed sale.
But is ClickFunnels a good value? Does it deliver on its promises? Whether you’re a experienced business owner or launching your first venture, this in-depth review will provide you with the complete picture you need to make an educated judgment about ClickFunnels.
Defining ClickFunnels?
ClickFunnels is an complete marketing platform engineered to help businesses design optimized sales funnels without demanding technical expertise or a team of developers. At its heart, ClickFunnels allows users to construct landing pages, establish email sequences, manage payments, and manage customer relationships-all within a unified platform.
The Concept of Sales Funnels
Prior to diving deeper into ClickFunnels, it’s important to understand what a sales funnel is. A sales funnel depicts the path customers go through from first learning about your product or service to making a purchase.
It typically includes steps like exposure, attention, evaluation, and purchase.
Traditional websites are often constructed without a clear path for visitors to take. This can cause high bounce rates and missed potential customers. Sales funnels, by contrast, are intentionally built to steer visitors through a defined path, enhancing the likelihood of positive outcomes at each step.
ClickFunnels’ Philosophy
ClickFunnels has made easier the process of creating these funnels with its drag-and-drop editor and prepared templates. The platform’s philosophy centers around not just designing web pages but creating powerful conversion paths that turn visitors into customers and customers into dedicated followers.
Key Features of ClickFunnels
1. Funnel Builder
The center of ClickFunnels is its simple funnel builder. Users can select a variety of funnel types, including:
- Opt-in funnels: Built to collect email addresses
- Sales funnels: For selling products or services
- Webinar funnels: To boost and register users for webinars
- Membership funnels: For recurring products
The visual interface makes it simple to add features like text, images, videos, forms, and buttons without typing a single line of code.
2. Template Templates
ClickFunnels delivers over a hundred professionally created templates for different industries and purposes. These templates, developed by experienced designers, are created for conversions and can be customized to match your brand.
3. Comparative Testing
Determining what resonates with your audience is vital for optimizing conversions. ClickFunnels’ A/B testing capability allows you to develop multiple versions of your pages and evaluate different elements to see which is more effective.
4. Email Campaigns
ClickFunnels features email marketing capabilities, allowing you to build automated email sequences started by specific actions. This feature helps cultivate leads and push them further down the sales funnel.
5. Payment Integration
The platform seamlessly integrates with payment processors like Stripe, PayPal, and others, enabling you to accept payments instantly through your funnels without sending customers to external sites.
6. Member Portals
For professionals selling courses or subscription content, ClickFunnels features the ability to create private membership areas where members can access special content.
7. Results Monitoring
ClickFunnels furnishes comprehensive analytics on funnel results, including page views, conversions, and earnings. These data help users enhance their funnels for improved results.
8. Affiliate Tracking
If you have an affiliate program, ClickFunnels makes it straightforward to manage your affiliates, analyze their performance, and manage commission payments.
ClickFunnels 2.0: The Evolution
In 2022, ClickFunnels released its most noteworthy update: ClickFunnels 2.0. This new version marks a complete revamp of the platform with improved features and capabilities.
What’s New in 2.0?
- Improved Website Builder: A more comprehensive website builder that allows for complete website creation, not just funnels
- Advanced E-commerce Capabilities: Better product management, inventory tracking, and order fulfillment
- Blog Creation: The ability to create and administer a blog directly within ClickFunnels
- Enhanced Customization: More freedom in design and functionality
- Enhanced User Interface: A more elegant dashboard and editor
- Efficiency Gains: Faster page loading times and better mobile responsiveness
- Upgraded CRM Features: More sophisticated customer relationship management tools
The upgrade to 2.0 solves many of the shortcomings users experienced with the original version, making it a more complete marketing solution.
Membership Levels
ClickFunnels offers different pricing tiers to support businesses of various sizes:
Starter 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
Premium 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 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 deciding financially.
The Perks 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 juggling different services for landing pages, email marketing, payment processing, and membership sites, users can handle all these aspects in one place.
2. No Coding Knowledge Required
The platform’s intuitive interface does away with the need for coding or design skills. This makes accessible the funnel-building process, making it accessible to entrepreneurs without technical backgrounds.
3. Quick Setup
With prepared templates and a streamlined workflow, ClickFunnels significantly cuts the time needed to release a marketing campaign. What might take weeks with custom development can be finished in days or even hours.
4. Network and Assistance
ClickFunnels has built 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 comprehensive documentation, tutorials, and responsive customer support.
5. Validated Conversion Frameworks
The templates and funnel structures within ClickFunnels are based on proven marketing principles and tested conversion strategies. This means users employ established best practices rather than building from zero.
6. Instructional Assets
Beyond the software itself, ClickFunnels offers a wealth of educational resources. Russell Brunson’s books, such as “DotCom Secrets” and “Expert Secrets,” provide useful marketing insights, while the ClickFunnels training programs offer systematic learning opportunities.
Weaknesses and Drawbacks
Despite its many benefits, ClickFunnels isn’t without limitations:
1. Cost
Starting at $147 per month, ClickFunnels represents a considerable investment, especially for solopreneurs or startups with limited budgets. Many competitors offer more affordable entry-level options.
2. Training Requirement
While designed to be intuitive, mastering all of ClickFunnels’ features and understanding funnel strategy requires time and dedication. New users might feel confused by the platform’s capabilities.
3. Limited Design Flexibility
Though the builder editor is effective, designers accustomed to more advanced tools might find it limiting. The balance between simplicity and flexibility sometimes favors the former.
4. Page Performance
Prior to 2.0, some users reported issues with page loading speed, which can negatively impact SEO and user experience. While ClickFunnels 2.0 has improved performance, optimizing for speed takes attention.
5. Email Marketing Limitations
While ClickFunnels includes 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 Competition: How They Compare
The sales funnel and landing page builder market has become increasingly populated. Here’s how ClickFunnels stacks up against its main competitors:
1. Kartra
Advantages relative to ClickFunnels:
- More all-encompassing marketing automation
- Built-in video hosting and advanced video marketing features
- More robust email marketing capabilities
- Helpdesk and ticket system included
Limitations:
- Steeper learning curve
- Fewer templates specifically optimized for sales funnels
- Less active community
2. Leadpages
Benefits:
- 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 versatile 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 simple for non-technical users
4. Systeme.io
Strengths:
- Significantly more inexpensive (starting at $27/month, with a free plan available)
- All-in-one solution similar to ClickFunnels
- Simple, intuitive interface
Weaknesses:
- Fewer templates and design options
- Less extensive 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
Weaknesses:
- 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 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 Is Right For ClickFunnels?
ClickFunnels is particularly beneficial for:
1. Digital Educators and Coaches
The platform excels at creating sales funnels for digital products like courses, coaching programs, and membership sites. The built-in membership functionality makes it effortless 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. Client Service Businesses
Professionals, agencies, and service providers can use ClickFunnels to obtain leads, book appointments, and sell service packages without complex website development.
4. Digital Affiliates
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 distribute books while obtaining reader information for long-term relationship building.
6. Technology Novice Entrepreneurs
Those without coding or design skills will appreciate ClickFunnels’ user-friendly interface and pre-built templates.
Who Might Want to Look Elsewhere?
ClickFunnels may not be the optimal solution for:
1. Solo Entrepreneurs with Limited Budgets
The monthly investment might be costly 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 appropriate, though ClickFunnels 2.0 has made improvements in this area.
3. Design Experts Seeking Complete Creative Control
Those who require precise designs and extensive customization might prefer platforms with more design flexibility.
4. Large Scale Businesses with Complex Requirements
Very large organizations with complex integration needs and custom requirements might need more tailored solutions.
First Steps 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 suits 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 performing funnel before moving on to the next.
3. Use the Training Resources
Take advantage of the abundant training materials, including ClickFunnels’ onboarding sequence and the FunnelFlix training library.
4. Engage with the Community
The ClickFunnels Facebook group provides beneficial insights and support from fellow users who can help solve issues or suggest optimization strategies.
5. Evaluate 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, adjust existing high-converting templates to match your brand and offering.
Summary: Is ClickFunnels Worth It?
ClickFunnels represents a important investment, but for many businesses, the yield on that investment can be considerable. The platform’s strength lies in its ability to facilitate 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 focused on optimizing your online sales process and prefer an all-in-one solution that doesn’t require technical expertise, ClickFunnels offers a attractive 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 continues to evolve, resolving previous limitations and growing its capabilities to serve a broader range of marketing needs.
Whether you’re selling e-products, items, or services, ClickFunnels offers a efficient path from stranger to customer-and that, for many businesses, is worth the investment.