In the current online business landscape, turning prospects into buyers is the main aim for any online business. This is where sales funnel software comes into play, and ClickFunnels positions itself as one of the most prominent names in this niche.
Launched by Russell Brunson in 2014, ClickFunnels has transformed the way entrepreneurs and businesses approach online sales, striving to streamline the user experience from first contact to final purchase.
But is ClickFunnels worth your money? Does it match its expectations? Whether you’re a marketing professional or new to online business, this comprehensive review will provide you with all the information you need to make an smart choice about ClickFunnels.
What Is ClickFunnels?
ClickFunnels is an comprehensive marketing platform created to help businesses construct optimized sales funnels without demanding technical expertise or a team of developers. At its heart, ClickFunnels allows users to build landing pages, produce email sequences, execute payments, and manage customer relationships-all within a integrated platform.
The Fundamentals of Sales Funnels
Ahead of diving deeper into ClickFunnels, it’s essential to understand what a sales funnel is. A sales funnel symbolizes the journey customers go through from first encountering your product or service to completing a transaction.
It typically includes parts like recognition, attention, evaluation, and commitment.
Regular sites are often designed without a logical progression for visitors to pursue. This can create high bounce rates and missed potential customers. Sales funnels, alternatively, are methodically developed to lead visitors through a structured path, improving the likelihood of sales at each step.
ClickFunnels’ System
ClickFunnels has reduced complexity in the process of creating these funnels with its drag-and-drop editor and template templates. The platform’s concept centers around not just building web pages but creating impactful conversion paths that transform visitors into customers and customers into repeat buyers.
Main Capabilities of ClickFunnels
1. Funnel Development Tool
The heart of ClickFunnels is its user-friendly funnel builder. Users can opt for a variety of funnel types, including:
- Opt-in funnels: Designed to collect email addresses
- Sales funnels: For promoting products or services
- Webinar funnels: To promote and register users for webinars
- Membership funnels: For recurring products
The point-and-click interface makes it easy to add items like text, images, videos, forms, and buttons without producing a single line of code.
2. Pre-built Templates
ClickFunnels features over many prepared templates for multiple industries and purposes. These templates, crafted by industry professionals, are optimized for results and can be tailored to match your brand.
3. Variant Testing
Understanding what appeals to your audience is crucial for increasing conversions. ClickFunnels’ A/B testing feature allows you to create multiple versions of your pages and analyze different elements to see which performs better.
4. Email Marketing
ClickFunnels includes email marketing capabilities, allowing you to develop automated email sequences started by specific actions. This feature helps nurture leads and guide them further down the sales funnel.
5. Payment Integration
The platform flawlessly integrates with payment processors like PayPal, Stripe, and more, allowing you to accept payments straight through your funnels without transferring customers to external sites.
6. Member Sections
For marketers selling courses or subscription content, ClickFunnels features the ability to create secure membership areas where clients can access protected content.
7. Results Monitoring
ClickFunnels furnishes comprehensive analytics on funnel effectiveness, including page views, conversions, and earnings. These statistics help users optimize their funnels for better results.
8. Partner Program Tools
If you have an affiliate program, ClickFunnels makes it simple to manage your affiliates, measure their performance, and manage commission payments.
ClickFunnels 2.0: The Next Generation
In 2022, ClickFunnels released its most noteworthy update: ClickFunnels 2.0. This new version constitutes a complete overhaul of the platform with improved features and capabilities.
What’s New in 2.0?
- Improved Website Builder: A more powerful website builder that allows for entire website creation, not just funnels
- Expanded E-commerce Capabilities: Better product management, inventory tracking, and order fulfillment
- Blog Creation: The ability to build and manage a blog directly within ClickFunnels
- Advanced Customization: More versatility in design and functionality
- Upgraded User Interface: A more intuitive dashboard and editor
- Efficiency Gains: Faster page loading times and better mobile responsiveness
- Improved CRM Features: More comprehensive customer relationship management tools
The upgrade to 2.0 resolves many of the constraints users experienced with the original version, making it a more thorough marketing solution.
Cost Options
ClickFunnels includes different pricing tiers to serve businesses of various sizes:
Basic Plan
The Basic plan (now called the “Standard” plan in ClickFunnels 2.0) is priced 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
Plus 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
Enterprise 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 offer a 14-day free trial, allowing users to evaluate the platform before subscribing financially.
The Positives of Using ClickFunnels
1. Comprehensive Solution
Perhaps the biggest advantage of ClickFunnels is that it merges multiple tools into one platform. Instead of coordinating different services for landing pages, email marketing, payment processing, and membership sites, users can handle all these aspects in one place.
2. No Technical Skills Required
The platform’s visual interface negates the need for coding or design skills. This democratizes the funnel-building process, making it available to entrepreneurs without technical backgrounds.
3. Quick Setup
With template templates and a smooth workflow, ClickFunnels significantly decreases the time needed to release a marketing campaign. What might take weeks with custom development can be completed in days or even hours.
4. Help Resources
ClickFunnels has established a engaged community of users who contribute 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 complete documentation, tutorials, and responsive customer support.
5. Proven Conversion Frameworks
The templates and funnel structures within ClickFunnels are founded on proven marketing principles and tested conversion strategies. This means users leverage established best practices rather than beginning anew.
6. Knowledge Base
Beyond the software itself, ClickFunnels offers a collection of educational resources. Russell Brunson’s books, such as “DotCom Secrets” and “Expert Secrets,” provide valuable marketing insights, while the ClickFunnels training programs offer systematic learning opportunities.
Downsides and Drawbacks
Despite its many strengths, ClickFunnels isn’t without limitations:
1. Price Point
Starting at $147 per month, ClickFunnels represents a significant investment, especially for small businesses or startups with limited budgets. Many competitors offer more economical entry-level options.
2. Adoption Challenge
While designed to be accessible, mastering all of ClickFunnels’ features and understanding funnel strategy requires time and dedication. New users might feel intimidated by the platform’s capabilities.
3. Modest Design Flexibility
Though the builder editor is effective, designers accustomed to more advanced tools might find it confining. The balance between simplicity and flexibility sometimes favors the former.
4. Page Loading Speed
Prior to 2.0, some users reported challenges with page loading speed, which can diminish SEO and user experience. While ClickFunnels 2.0 has improved performance, optimizing for speed takes attention.
5. Email Marketing Restrictions
While ClickFunnels features email marketing features, they’re not as powerful as dedicated email marketing platforms. Power users might still need additional tools for high-level email campaigns.
ClickFunnels Contenders: 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
Advantages relative to ClickFunnels:
- More thorough marketing automation
- Built-in video hosting and advanced video marketing features
- More advanced email marketing capabilities
- Helpdesk and ticket system included
Disadvantages:
- Steeper learning curve
- Fewer templates specifically optimized for sales funnels
- Less active community
2. Leadpages
Strong points:
- More budget-friendly entry point ($37/month)
- Strong focus on lead generation
- Excellent mobile-responsive designs
- Solid WordPress integration
Weaknesses:
- Less complete 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 versatile design options
- Strong analytics and conversion intelligence
- More affordable starting point
Disadvantages:
- Primarily focused on landing pages rather than complete funnels
- No built-in payment processing
- Less simple for non-technical users
4. Systeme.io
Strong points:
- Significantly more cost-effective (starting at $27/month, with a free plan available)
- All-in-one solution similar to ClickFunnels
- Simple, intuitive interface
Disadvantages:
- Fewer templates and design options
- Less extensive feature set
- Smaller community and fewer educational resources
5. Instapage
Benefits:
- 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)
Strengths:
- Most inexpensive option if you already have WordPress
- Ultimate flexibility and customization
- Complete ownership and control
- One-time purchases versus subscription model
Weaknesses:
- 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 perfect for:
1. Digital Educators 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 simple 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 enhance average order value through upsells, downsells, and order bumps.
3. Client Service Businesses
Specialists, agencies, and service providers can use ClickFunnels to generate leads, book appointments, and sell service packages without complex website development.
4. Affiliate Marketers
The platform’s optimization for conversions makes it suitable for affiliate marketers looking to improve their commissions from promotional campaigns.
5. Authors and Content Creators
ClickFunnels provides effective book funnel templates that help authors promote books while capturing reader information for long-term relationship building.
6. Non-Technical Entrepreneurs
Those without coding or design skills will benefit from ClickFunnels’ accessible interface and pre-built templates.
Who Should Consider Alternatives Elsewhere?
ClickFunnels may not be the optimal solution for:
1. Small Businesses 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 fitting, though ClickFunnels 2.0 has made improvements in this area.
3. Design Specialists Seeking Complete Creative Control
Those who require precise 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 tailored solutions.
Beginning Your Journey 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 matches your specific goal, whether it’s lead generation, product sales, or webinar registration.
2. Concentrate on 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. Take advantage of 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 useful insights and support from fellow users who can help resolve issues or suggest optimization strategies.
5. Evaluate and Optimize
Use the A/B testing features to persistently refine your funnels based on actual user behavior and conversion data.
6. Start with Prepared Templates
Rather than building from scratch, adjust existing high-converting templates to match your brand and offering.
Conclusion: Is ClickFunnels Worth It?
ClickFunnels represents a important investment, but for many businesses, the yield on that investment can be substantial. 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 intent on optimizing your online sales process and prefer an all-in-one solution that doesn’t require technical expertise, ClickFunnels offers a compelling package-especially with the upgraded capabilities of ClickFunnels 2.0.
For businesses that can budget for 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 keeps evolve, resolving previous limitations and extending its capabilities to serve a broader range of marketing needs.
Whether you’re selling downloadable items, items, or services, ClickFunnels offers a streamlined path from stranger to customer-and that, for many businesses, is deserving of the investment.