In the current online business landscape, turning prospects into buyers is the key focus for any online business. This is where sales funnel software comes into play, and ClickFunnels exists as one of the most recognized names in this niche.
Started by Russell Brunson in 2014, ClickFunnels has transformed the way companies and business owners execute online sales, aiming to optimize the customer journey from awareness to final purchase.
But is ClickFunnels a good value? Does it meet its promises? Whether you’re a marketing professional or a beginner in digital marketing, this complete review will provide you with all the information you need to make an calculated decision about ClickFunnels.
What Is ClickFunnels?
ClickFunnels is an unified marketing platform engineered to help businesses develop optimized sales funnels without demanding technical expertise or a team of developers. At its heart, ClickFunnels allows users to develop landing pages, make email sequences, execute payments, and manage customer relationships-all within a single platform.
The Concept of Sales Funnels
Before diving deeper into ClickFunnels, it’s necessary to understand what a sales funnel is. A sales funnel illustrates the route customers go through from initially discovering your product or service to buying.
It typically includes stages like visibility, curiosity, consideration, and transaction.
Standard websites are often built without a logical progression for visitors to follow. This can lead to high bounce rates and missed potential customers. Sales funnels, on the other hand, are purposefully created to navigate visitors through a predetermined path, enhancing the likelihood of conversion at each step.
ClickFunnels’ Strategy
ClickFunnels has uncomplicated the process of creating these funnels with its drag-and-drop editor and template templates. The platform’s concept centers around not just developing web pages but creating impactful conversion paths that convert visitors into customers and customers into brand ambassadors.
Essential Components of ClickFunnels
1. Funnel Construction Kit
The center of ClickFunnels is its intuitive funnel builder. Users can opt for a variety of funnel types, including:
- Opt-in funnels: Made to collect email addresses
- Sales funnels: For retailing products or services
- Webinar funnels: To market and register users for webinars
- Membership funnels: For continuity products
The visual interface makes it effortless to add components like text, images, videos, forms, and buttons without producing a single line of code.
2. Template Templates
ClickFunnels delivers over a hundred ready-made templates for multiple industries and purposes. These templates, produced by industry professionals, are designed for conversions and can be personalized to match your brand.
3. A/B Testing
Recognizing what works for your audience is crucial for maximizing conversions. ClickFunnels’ A/B testing tool allows you to design multiple versions of your pages and compare different elements to see which is more effective.
4. Email Campaigns
ClickFunnels combines email marketing capabilities, allowing you to design automated email sequences launched by specific actions. This feature helps develop leads and guide them further down the sales funnel.
5. Checkout System
The platform effortlessly integrates with payment processors like PayPal, Stripe, and more, allowing you to accept payments right through your funnels without transferring customers to external sites.
6. Member Sections
For experts selling courses or subscription content, ClickFunnels provides the ability to create restricted membership areas where members can access restricted content.
7. Performance Tracking
ClickFunnels supplies extensive analytics on funnel performance, including page views, conversions, and earnings. These insights help users perfect their funnels for greater results.
8. Affiliate Tracking
If you have an affiliate program, ClickFunnels makes it simple to administer your affiliates, track their performance, and handle commission payments.
ClickFunnels 2.0: The Improvement
In 2022, ClickFunnels released its most substantial update: ClickFunnels 2.0. This new version marks a complete reconstruction of the platform with expanded features and capabilities.
What’s New in 2.0?
- Better Website Builder: A more powerful 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 build and handle a blog directly within ClickFunnels
- Sophisticated Customization: More options in design and functionality
- Improved User Interface: A cleaner dashboard and editor
- Technical Improvements: Faster page loading times and better mobile responsiveness
- Enhanced CRM Features: More sophisticated customer relationship management tools
The upgrade to 2.0 solves many of the weaknesses users experienced with the original version, making it a more thorough marketing solution.
Subscription Plans
ClickFunnels features different pricing tiers to suit businesses of various sizes:
Starter Plan
The Basic plan (now called the “Standard” plan in ClickFunnels 2.0) is available for $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 provides:
- 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 delivers:
- 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 try the platform before paying financially.
The Perks of Using ClickFunnels
1. Integrated Solution
Perhaps the biggest advantage of ClickFunnels is that it unifies multiple tools into one platform. Instead of handling different services for landing pages, email marketing, payment processing, and membership sites, users can operate all these aspects in one place.
2. No Programming Expertise Required
The platform’s point-and-click interface removes the need for coding or design skills. This makes accessible the funnel-building process, making it manageable to entrepreneurs without technical backgrounds.
3. Time Savings
With ready-made templates and a simplified 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. Network and Assistance
ClickFunnels has created a engaged community of users who offer 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 detailed documentation, tutorials, and responsive customer support.
5. Verified Conversion Frameworks
The templates and funnel structures within ClickFunnels are founded on proven marketing principles and tested conversion strategies. This means users employ established best practices rather than building from zero.
6. Knowledge Base
Beyond the software itself, ClickFunnels offers a wealth 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 positives, ClickFunnels isn’t without limitations:
1. Pricing
Starting at $147 per month, ClickFunnels represents a noteworthy investment, especially for individual entrepreneurs or startups with limited budgets. Many competitors offer more economical entry-level options.
2. Training Requirement
While designed to be user-friendly, 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 limiting. 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 reduce SEO and user experience. While ClickFunnels 2.0 has improved performance, optimizing for speed calls for attention.
5. Email Marketing Constraints
While ClickFunnels features email marketing features, they’re not as advanced as dedicated email marketing platforms. Power users might still need additional tools for advanced email campaigns.
ClickFunnels Alternatives: 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
Strengths relative to ClickFunnels:
- More comprehensive marketing automation
- Built-in video hosting and advanced video marketing features
- More capable email marketing capabilities
- Helpdesk and ticket system included
Limitations:
- Steeper learning curve
- Fewer templates specifically optimized for sales funnels
- Less active community
2. Leadpages
Strong points:
- More cost-effective entry point ($37/month)
- Strong focus on lead generation
- Excellent mobile-responsive designs
- Solid WordPress integration
Drawbacks:
- Less comprehensive than ClickFunnels (primarily focuses on landing pages)
- Limited checkout and payment processing options
- No built-in email marketing
3. Unbounce
Strong points:
- Advanced A/B testing capabilities
- Highly adjustable design options
- Strong analytics and conversion intelligence
- More affordable starting point
Shortcomings:
- Primarily focused on landing pages rather than complete funnels
- No built-in payment processing
- Less easy for non-technical users
4. Systeme.io
Strong points:
- Significantly more budget-friendly (starting at $27/month, with a free plan available)
- All-in-one solution similar to ClickFunnels
- Simple, intuitive interface
Shortcomings:
- 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)
Strengths:
- Most affordable option if you already have WordPress
- Ultimate flexibility and customization
- Complete ownership and control
- One-time purchases versus subscription model
Limitations:
- 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 beneficial 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 convenient to deliver content to paying customers.
2. Digital Sales Businesses
With ClickFunnels 2.0’s advanced e-commerce features, online retailers can create effective product funnels that increase 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. Partnership Marketers
The platform’s optimization for conversions makes it excellent for affiliate marketers looking to improve their commissions from promotional campaigns.
5. Content Creators and Content Creators
ClickFunnels provides effective book funnel templates that help authors market books while obtaining reader information for long-term relationship building.
6. Technology Novice Entrepreneurs
Those without coding or design skills will value ClickFunnels’ intuitive interface and pre-built templates.
Who May Not Be Ideal Elsewhere?
ClickFunnels may not be the ideal choice for:
1. Micro Businesses with Limited Budgets
The monthly investment might be too high for businesses just starting out or with tight marketing budgets.
2. Editorial Websites
Businesses that rely heavily on blog content and SEO might find traditional CMS platforms like WordPress more beneficial, though ClickFunnels 2.0 has made improvements in this area.
3. Advanced Designers 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.
First Steps 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
Decide on a funnel template that corresponds to 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 effective funnel before moving on to the next.
3. Employ 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 valuable 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 continuously refine your funnels based on actual user behavior and conversion data.
6. Start with Prepared Templates
Rather than building from scratch, modify 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 payoff on that investment can be significant. The platform’s strength lies in its ability to simplify the complex process of creating effective sales funnels while providing the tools needed to nurture leads and convert customers.
The decision ultimately rests on your specific business needs, technical comfort level, and budget. If you’re committed to optimizing your online sales process and appreciate an all-in-one solution that doesn’t require technical expertise, ClickFunnels offers a compelling package-especially with the expanded capabilities of ClickFunnels 2.0.
For businesses that can handle the monthly subscription and are serious about implementing effective sales funnels, ClickFunnels provides both the tools and the strategic framework to excel in today’s competitive digital landscape. The platform keeps evolve, fixing previous limitations and growing its capabilities to serve a broader range of marketing needs.
Whether you’re selling downloadable items, retail products, or coaching, ClickFunnels offers a direct path from stranger to customer-and that, for many businesses, is worth the investment.