In today’s digital marketplace, changing visitors to customers is the primary objective for every e-commerce venture. This is where customer journey software comes into play, and ClickFunnels is recognized as one of the most established names in this niche.
Launched by Russell Brunson in 2014, ClickFunnels has transformed the way entrepreneurs and businesses handle online sales, working to optimize the customer journey from first contact to checkout.
But is ClickFunnels a good value? Does it fulfill its claims? Whether you’re a seasoned marketer or launching your first venture, this comprehensive review will provide you with all the information you need to make an educated judgment about ClickFunnels.
What Is ClickFunnels?
ClickFunnels is an all-in-one marketing platform designed to help businesses build optimized sales funnels without demanding technical expertise or a team of developers. At its core, ClickFunnels allows users to develop landing pages, make email sequences, handle payments, and administer customer relationships-all within a centralized platform.
The Idea of Sales Funnels
Before diving deeper into ClickFunnels, it’s important to understand what a sales funnel is. A sales funnel symbolizes the journey customers go through from first encountering your product or service to buying.
It typically includes steps like recognition, interest, assessment, and action.
Regular sites are often constructed without a defined route for visitors to take. This can produce high bounce rates and forfeited potential customers. Sales funnels, on the other hand, are strategically designed to direct visitors through a structured path, boosting the likelihood of results at each step.
ClickFunnels’ Methodology
ClickFunnels has reduced complexity in the process of creating these funnels with its user-friendly editor and prepared templates. The platform’s concept centers around not just creating web pages but creating successful conversion paths that convert visitors into customers and customers into brand ambassadors.
Core Functions of ClickFunnels
1. Funnel Builder
The core of ClickFunnels is its simple funnel builder. Users can decide between a variety of funnel types, including:
- Opt-in funnels: Built to collect email addresses
- Sales funnels: For offering products or services
- Webinar funnels: To advertise and register users for webinars
- Membership funnels: For membership products
The drag-and-drop interface makes it easy to add parts like text, images, videos, forms, and buttons without coding a single line of code.
2. Pre-built Templates
ClickFunnels features over many pre-built templates for various industries and purposes. These templates, crafted by marketing specialists, are designed for success and can be tailored to match your brand.
3. A/B Testing
Identifying what resonates with your audience is essential for optimizing conversions. ClickFunnels’ A/B testing option allows you to produce multiple versions of your pages and evaluate different elements to see which is more effective.
4. Automated Emails
ClickFunnels includes email marketing capabilities, allowing you to design automated email sequences activated by specific actions. This feature helps grow leads and push them further down the sales funnel.
5. Payment Processing
The platform effortlessly integrates with payment processors like multiple payment options, empowering you to accept payments right through your funnels without sending customers to external sites.
6. Subscription Areas
For creators selling courses or subscription content, ClickFunnels offers the ability to create restricted membership areas where members can access protected content.
7. Data Analysis
ClickFunnels supplies in-depth analytics on funnel results, including page views, conversions, and earnings. These data help users enhance their funnels for stronger results.
8. Affiliate Management
If you have an affiliate program, ClickFunnels makes it easy to oversee your affiliates, measure their performance, and administer commission payments.
ClickFunnels 2.0: The Evolution
In 2022, ClickFunnels released its most significant update: ClickFunnels 2.0. This new version embodies a complete redesign of the platform with advanced features and capabilities.
New Features in 2.0?
- Improved Website Builder: A more capable website builder that allows for complete website creation, not just funnels
- Expanded E-commerce Capabilities: Better product management, inventory tracking, and order fulfillment
- Blog Creation: The ability to create and run a blog directly within ClickFunnels
- Improved Customization: More flexibility in design and functionality
- Enhanced User Interface: A cleaner dashboard and editor
- Loading Time Upgrades: Faster page loading times and better mobile responsiveness
- Expanded CRM Features: More advanced customer relationship management tools
The upgrade to 2.0 fixes many of the weaknesses users experienced with the original version, making it a more complete marketing solution.
Cost Options
ClickFunnels presents different pricing tiers to suit businesses of various sizes:
Starter 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
Pro 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 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 evaluate the platform before investing financially.
The Perks of Using ClickFunnels
1. Unified Solution
Perhaps the main advantage of ClickFunnels is that it integrates multiple tools into one platform. Instead of switching between different services for landing pages, email marketing, payment processing, and membership sites, users can manage all these aspects in one place.
2. No Technical Skills Required
The platform’s visual interface eliminates the need for coding or design skills. This simplifies the funnel-building process, making it accessible to entrepreneurs without technical backgrounds.
3. Fast Implementation
With ready-made templates and a streamlined workflow, ClickFunnels significantly decreases the time needed to deploy a marketing campaign. What might take weeks with custom development can be achieved in days or even hours.
4. Community and Support
ClickFunnels has built a vibrant community of users who contribute 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. Tested Conversion Frameworks
The templates and funnel structures within ClickFunnels are derived from proven marketing principles and tested conversion strategies. This means users take advantage of established best practices rather than creating from nothing.
6. Instructional Assets
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 formal learning opportunities.
Downsides and Drawbacks
Despite its many advantages, ClickFunnels isn’t without limitations:
1. Cost
Starting at $147 per month, ClickFunnels represents a major investment, especially for freelancers or startups with limited budgets. Many competitors offer more inexpensive entry-level options.
2. Adjustment Period
While designed to be intuitive, mastering all of ClickFunnels’ features and understanding funnel strategy takes time and dedication. New users might feel challenged by the platform’s capabilities.
3. Finite Design Flexibility
Though the visual 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 Performance
Prior to 2.0, some users reported concerns with page loading speed, which can hurt SEO and user experience. While ClickFunnels 2.0 has improved performance, optimizing for speed takes attention.
5. Email Marketing Boundaries
While ClickFunnels provides email marketing features, they’re not as robust as dedicated email marketing platforms. Power users might still need additional tools for high-level email campaigns.
ClickFunnels Competitors: How They Compare
The sales funnel and landing page builder market has become increasingly contested. Here’s how ClickFunnels stacks up against its main competitors:
1. Kartra
Advantages relative to ClickFunnels:
- More extensive marketing automation
- Built-in video hosting and advanced video marketing features
- More capable email marketing capabilities
- Helpdesk and ticket system included
Disadvantages:
- Steeper learning curve
- Fewer templates specifically optimized for sales funnels
- Less active community
2. Leadpages
Benefits:
- More affordable entry point ($37/month)
- Strong focus on lead generation
- Excellent mobile-responsive designs
- Solid WordPress integration
Shortcomings:
- Less comprehensive than ClickFunnels (primarily focuses on landing pages)
- Limited checkout and payment processing options
- No built-in email marketing
3. Unbounce
Benefits:
- Advanced A/B testing capabilities
- Highly adjustable design options
- Strong analytics and conversion intelligence
- More affordable starting point
Weaknesses:
- Primarily focused on landing pages rather than complete funnels
- No built-in payment processing
- Less user-friendly for non-technical users
4. Systeme.io
Strengths:
- Significantly more cost-effective (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
Strong points:
- 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)
Benefits:
- Most budget-friendly 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. Online Course Creators and Coaches
The platform specializes in 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. Online Retail Businesses
With ClickFunnels 2.0’s upgraded e-commerce features, online retailers can create effective product funnels that enhance average order value through upsells, downsells, and order bumps.
3. B2B Service Businesses
Professionals, agencies, and service providers can use ClickFunnels to create leads, book appointments, and sell service packages without complex website development.
4. Affiliate Marketers
The platform’s optimization for conversions makes it perfect for affiliate marketers looking to improve their commissions from promotional campaigns.
5. Publishers and Content Creators
ClickFunnels provides effective book funnel templates that help authors sell books while gathering reader information for long-term relationship building.
6. Code-Averse Entrepreneurs
Those without coding or design skills will appreciate ClickFunnels’ intuitive interface and pre-built templates.
Who Might Want to Look Elsewhere?
ClickFunnels may not be the ideal choice for:
1. Startups with Limited Budgets
The monthly investment might be excessive 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 fitting, though ClickFunnels 2.0 has made improvements in this area.
3. Design Experts Seeking Complete Creative Control
Those who require pixel-perfect 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 tailored solutions.
Launching with ClickFunnels: Tips for Success
If you decide to try ClickFunnels, here are some tips to maximize your experience:
1. Start with the Right Funnel Type
Select a funnel template that aligns with 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 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. Connect with the Community
The ClickFunnels Facebook group provides beneficial insights and support from fellow users who can help address issues or suggest optimization strategies.
5. Experiment and Optimize
Use the A/B testing features to constantly refine your funnels based on actual user behavior and conversion data.
6. Start with Available Templates
Rather than building from scratch, adapt existing high-converting templates to match your brand and offering.
Wrapping Up: Is ClickFunnels Worth It?
ClickFunnels represents a important investment, but for many businesses, the return on that investment can be remarkable. The platform’s strength lies in its ability to uncomplicate the complex process of creating effective sales funnels while providing the tools needed to nurture 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 value an all-in-one solution that doesn’t require technical expertise, ClickFunnels offers a compelling package-especially with the advanced capabilities of ClickFunnels 2.0.
For businesses that can handle the monthly subscription and are dedicated to implementing effective sales funnels, ClickFunnels provides both the tools and the strategic framework to thrive in today’s competitive digital landscape. The platform regularly evolve, tackling previous limitations and expanding its capabilities to serve a broader range of marketing needs.
Whether you’re selling e-products, merchandise, or consulting, ClickFunnels offers a direct path from stranger to customer-and that, for many businesses, is worth the investment.