In the current online business landscape, turning prospects into buyers is the main aim for any online business. This is where customer journey software shows its worth, and ClickFunnels exists as one of the most well-known names in this sector.
Started by Russell Brunson in 2014, ClickFunnels has reimagined the way marketers and organizations approach online sales, working to simplify the conversion path from first contact to final purchase.
But is ClickFunnels worth pursuing? Does it meet its hype? Whether you’re a established entrepreneur or new to online business, this comprehensive review will provide you with everything you need to make an smart choice about ClickFunnels.
All About ClickFunnels?
ClickFunnels is an integrated marketing platform created to help businesses create optimized sales funnels without requiring technical expertise or a team of developers. At its center, ClickFunnels allows users to design landing pages, produce email sequences, manage payments, and manage customer relationships-all within a unified platform.
The Fundamentals of Sales Funnels
Preceding diving deeper into ClickFunnels, it’s necessary to understand what a sales funnel is. A sales funnel depicts the process customers go through from first learning about your product or service to completing a transaction.
It typically includes parts like discovery, appeal, deliberation, and transaction.
Typical web pages are often constructed without a clear path for visitors to navigate. This can produce high bounce rates and wasted potential customers. Sales funnels, on the other hand, are deliberately structured to direct visitors through a established path, raising the likelihood of conversion at each step.
ClickFunnels’ Strategy
ClickFunnels has made easier the process of creating these funnels with its intuitive editor and pre-built templates. The platform’s philosophy centers around not just developing web pages but creating powerful conversion paths that turn visitors into customers and customers into advocates.
Key Features of ClickFunnels
1. Funnel Builder
The center of ClickFunnels is its easy-to-use funnel builder. Users can decide between a variety of funnel types, including:
- Opt-in funnels: Developed to collect email addresses
- Sales funnels: For promoting products or services
- Webinar funnels: To advertise and register users for webinars
- Membership funnels: For membership products
The point-and-click interface makes it easy to add elements like text, images, videos, forms, and buttons without writing a single line of code.
2. Ready-made Templates
ClickFunnels includes over one hundred ready-made templates for various industries and purposes. These templates, developed by marketing experts, are designed for sales and can be personalized to match your brand.
3. Comparative Testing
Understanding what resonates with your audience is key for enhancing conversions. ClickFunnels’ A/B testing option allows you to produce multiple versions of your pages and compare different elements to see which is more effective.
4. Email Sequences
ClickFunnels incorporates email marketing capabilities, allowing you to create automated email sequences launched by specific actions. This feature helps foster leads and push them further down the sales funnel.
5. Payment Processing
The platform smoothly integrates with payment processors like multiple payment options, empowering you to accept payments instantly through your funnels without sending customers to external sites.
6. Protected Content
For professionals selling courses or subscription content, ClickFunnels includes the ability to create exclusive membership areas where subscribers can access premium content.
7. Performance Tracking
ClickFunnels offers in-depth analytics on funnel performance, including page views, conversions, and earnings. These data help users enhance their funnels for higher results.
8. Referral System
If you have an affiliate program, ClickFunnels makes it straightforward to administer your affiliates, track their performance, and process commission payments.
ClickFunnels 2.0: The Advancement
In 2022, ClickFunnels released its most significant update: ClickFunnels 2.0. This new version constitutes a complete revamp of the platform with advanced features and capabilities.
Upgrades in 2.0?
- Upgraded Website Builder: A more robust website builder that allows for entire website creation, not just funnels
- Upgraded E-commerce Capabilities: Better product management, inventory tracking, and order fulfillment
- Blog Creation: The ability to build and handle a blog directly within ClickFunnels
- Superior Customization: More versatility in design and functionality
- Improved User Interface: A more intuitive dashboard and editor
- Speed Enhancements: Faster page loading times and better mobile responsiveness
- Upgraded CRM Features: More powerful customer relationship management tools
The upgrade to 2.0 fixes many of the constraints users experienced with the original version, making it a more robust marketing solution.
Pricing Structure
ClickFunnels offers different pricing tiers to suit businesses of various sizes:
Standard 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
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
Enterprise 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 feature a 14-day free trial, allowing users to experience the platform before deciding financially.
The Benefits of Using ClickFunnels
1. Complete Solution
Perhaps the primary advantage of ClickFunnels is that it combines multiple tools into one platform. Instead of handling different services for landing pages, email marketing, payment processing, and membership sites, users can handle all these aspects in one place.
2. No Development Experience Required
The platform’s intuitive interface eliminates the need for coding or design skills. This simplifies the funnel-building process, making it usable to entrepreneurs without technical backgrounds.
3. Time Efficiency
With pre-built templates and a efficient workflow, ClickFunnels significantly lowers the time needed to deploy a marketing campaign. What might take weeks with custom development can be accomplished in days or even hours.
4. Support Network
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 useful resource for marketers at all levels. Additionally, the platform offers extensive documentation, tutorials, and responsive customer support.
5. Tested Conversion Frameworks
The templates and funnel structures within ClickFunnels are derived from proven marketing principles and tested conversion strategies. This means users utilize established best practices rather than starting from scratch.
6. Knowledge Base
Beyond the software itself, ClickFunnels offers a abundance of educational resources. Russell Brunson’s books, such as “DotCom Secrets” and “Expert Secrets,” provide beneficial marketing insights, while the ClickFunnels training programs offer formal learning opportunities.
Drawbacks 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 small businesses or startups with limited budgets. Many competitors offer more affordable entry-level options.
2. Adjustment Period
While designed to be easy to use, mastering all of ClickFunnels’ features and understanding funnel strategy requires time and dedication. New users might feel challenged by the platform’s capabilities.
3. Limited Design Flexibility
Though the intuitive editor is robust, 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 issues 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 comprehensive as dedicated email marketing platforms. Power users might still need additional tools for sophisticated 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 extensive 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
Advantages:
- More budget-friendly entry point ($37/month)
- Strong focus on lead generation
- Excellent mobile-responsive designs
- Solid WordPress integration
Shortcomings:
- 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 adaptable 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 simple for non-technical users
4. Systeme.io
Advantages:
- Significantly more inexpensive (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 extensive feature set
- Smaller community and fewer educational resources
5. Instapage
Strong points:
- Superior design flexibility and customization
- Advanced collaboration features
- Excellent analytics and heatmaps
- Strong AdWords and Facebook Ads integration
Limitations:
- 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)
Strong points:
- Most inexpensive 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 Is Right For ClickFunnels?
ClickFunnels is particularly appropriate 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 advanced e-commerce features, online retailers can create effective product funnels that grow average order value through upsells, downsells, and order bumps.
3. Consulting Businesses
Advisors, agencies, and service providers can use ClickFunnels to generate leads, book appointments, and sell service packages without complex website development.
4. Commission Marketers
The platform’s optimization for conversions makes it excellent for affiliate marketers looking to improve their commissions from promotional campaigns.
5. Book Publishers and Content Creators
ClickFunnels provides effective book funnel templates that help authors promote books while capturing reader information for long-term relationship building.
6. Technology Novice Entrepreneurs
Those without coding or design skills will enjoy ClickFunnels’ straightforward interface and pre-built templates.
Who Should Consider Alternatives Elsewhere?
ClickFunnels may not be the right option for:
1. Startups with Limited Budgets
The monthly investment might be costly 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 appropriate, though ClickFunnels 2.0 has made improvements in this area.
3. Design Experts Seeking Complete Creative Control
Those who require exact 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 specialized 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
Pick 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 converting funnel before moving on to the next.
3. Utilize 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 important insights and support from fellow users who can help troubleshoot 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, 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 return 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 grow 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 value an all-in-one solution that doesn’t require technical expertise, ClickFunnels offers a appealing 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 consistently evolve, tackling previous limitations and extending its capabilities to serve a broader range of marketing needs.
Whether you’re selling e-products, physical goods, or services, ClickFunnels offers a simplified path from stranger to customer-and that, for many businesses, is deserving of the investment.