In today’s competitive online environment, changing visitors to customers is the main aim for any online business. This is where sales funnel software comes into play, and ClickFunnels exists as one of the most prominent names in this sector.
Started by Russell Brunson in 2014, ClickFunnels has reimagined the way entrepreneurs and businesses manage online sales, aiming to improve the user experience from discovery to buying decision.
But is ClickFunnels a good value? Does it fulfill its expectations? Whether you’re a experienced business owner or just starting your entrepreneurial journey, this detailed review will provide you with all the insights you need to make an educated judgment about ClickFunnels.
What Is ClickFunnels?
ClickFunnels is an comprehensive marketing platform created to help businesses construct optimized sales funnels without requiring technical expertise or a team of developers. At its heart, ClickFunnels allows users to construct landing pages, produce email sequences, handle payments, and oversee customer relationships-all within a unified platform.
The Theory of Sales Funnels
Preceding diving deeper into ClickFunnels, it’s necessary to understand what a sales funnel is. A sales funnel illustrates the path customers go through from initially discovering your product or service to buying.
It typically includes phases like visibility, curiosity, deliberation, and conversion.
Conventional sites are often built without a structured journey for visitors to pursue. This can produce high bounce rates and missed potential customers. Sales funnels, on the other hand, are methodically developed to navigate visitors through a planned path, improving the likelihood of results at each step.
ClickFunnels’ Philosophy
ClickFunnels has uncomplicated the process of creating these funnels with its user-friendly editor and prepared templates. The platform’s approach centers around not just developing web pages but creating successful conversion paths that change visitors into customers and customers into loyal fans.
Main Capabilities of ClickFunnels
1. Funnel Creator
The center of ClickFunnels is its easy-to-use funnel builder. Users can select a variety of funnel types, including:
- Opt-in funnels: Made to collect email addresses
- Sales funnels: For promoting products or services
- Webinar funnels: To publicize and register users for webinars
- Membership funnels: For recurring products
The point-and-click interface makes it simple to add parts like text, images, videos, forms, and buttons without coding a single line of code.
2. Template Templates
ClickFunnels provides over one hundred professionally created templates for various industries and purposes. These templates, created by professional marketers, are created for results and can be adjusted to match your brand.
3. A/B Testing
Determining what appeals to your audience is crucial for enhancing conversions. ClickFunnels’ A/B testing feature allows you to develop multiple versions of your pages and analyze different elements to see which delivers better results.
4. Email Campaigns
ClickFunnels integrates email marketing capabilities, allowing you to establish automated email sequences activated by specific actions. This feature helps foster leads and guide them further down the sales funnel.
5. Checkout System
The platform easily integrates with payment processors like various payment gateways, facilitating you to accept payments instantly through your funnels without transferring customers to external sites.
6. Protected Content
For professionals selling courses or subscription content, ClickFunnels includes the ability to create secure membership areas where customers can access premium content.
7. Data Analysis
ClickFunnels provides detailed analytics on funnel performance, including page views, conversions, and earnings. These data help users perfect their funnels for higher results.
8. Partner Program Tools
If you have an affiliate program, ClickFunnels makes it easy to manage your affiliates, monitor their performance, and manage commission payments.
ClickFunnels 2.0: The Next Generation
In 2022, ClickFunnels released its most substantial update: ClickFunnels 2.0. This new version signifies a complete overhaul of the platform with advanced features and capabilities.
Improvements in 2.0?
- Improved Website Builder: A more comprehensive website builder that allows for total website creation, not just funnels
- Improved E-commerce Capabilities: Better product management, inventory tracking, and order fulfillment
- Blog Creation: The ability to build and handle a blog directly within ClickFunnels
- Enhanced Customization: More freedom in design and functionality
- Upgraded User Interface: A more intuitive dashboard and editor
- Efficiency Gains: Faster page loading times and better mobile responsiveness
- Enhanced CRM Features: More capable 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.
Subscription Plans
ClickFunnels provides different pricing tiers to serve businesses of various sizes:
Fundamental 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
Advanced 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 features:
- 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 test the platform before committing financially.
The Perks of Using ClickFunnels
1. Unified Solution
Perhaps the main advantage of ClickFunnels is that it combines multiple tools into one platform. Instead of managing 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 manageable to entrepreneurs without technical backgrounds.
3. Time Savings
With template templates and a simplified workflow, ClickFunnels significantly lowers the time needed to launch a marketing campaign. What might take weeks with custom development can be finished in days or even hours.
4. User Community
ClickFunnels has fostered a vibrant community of users who exchange strategies, successes, and advice. The official ClickFunnels Facebook group has over 250,000 members, creating a helpful resource for marketers at all levels. Additionally, the platform offers detailed 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 take advantage of established best practices rather than creating from nothing.
6. Educational Resources
Beyond the software itself, ClickFunnels offers a multitude of educational resources. Russell Brunson’s books, such as “DotCom Secrets” and “Expert Secrets,” provide valuable marketing insights, while the ClickFunnels training programs offer methodical learning opportunities.
Downsides and Drawbacks
Despite its many benefits, ClickFunnels isn’t without limitations:
1. Price Point
Starting at $147 per month, ClickFunnels represents a major investment, especially for freelancers or startups with limited budgets. Many competitors offer more affordable entry-level options.
2. Learning Curve
While designed to be straightforward, mastering all of ClickFunnels’ features and understanding funnel strategy requires 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 inflexible. The balance between simplicity and flexibility sometimes tilts toward the former.
4. Page Performance
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 needs attention.
5. Email Marketing Boundaries
While ClickFunnels provides email marketing features, they’re not as comprehensive as dedicated email marketing platforms. Power users might still need additional tools for elaborate email campaigns.
ClickFunnels Rivals: How They Compare
The sales funnel and landing page builder market has become increasingly competitive. Here’s how ClickFunnels stands up to its main competitors:
1. Kartra
Advantages relative to ClickFunnels:
- More all-encompassing marketing automation
- Built-in video hosting and advanced video marketing features
- More powerful email marketing capabilities
- Helpdesk and ticket system included
Weaknesses:
- Steeper learning curve
- Fewer templates specifically optimized for sales funnels
- Less active community
2. Leadpages
Advantages:
- 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 flexible 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 intuitive for non-technical users
4. Systeme.io
Advantages:
- Significantly more budget-friendly (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
Disadvantages:
- 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 economical 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 Would Benefit From ClickFunnels?
ClickFunnels is particularly perfect for:
1. E-learning Providers 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 improved e-commerce features, online retailers can create effective product funnels that raise average order value through upsells, downsells, and order bumps.
3. B2B Service Businesses
Professionals, agencies, and service providers can use ClickFunnels to generate leads, book appointments, and sell service packages without complex website development.
4. Digital Affiliates
The platform’s optimization for conversions makes it perfect for affiliate marketers looking to optimize their commissions from promotional campaigns.
5. Book Publishers and Content Creators
ClickFunnels provides effective book funnel templates that help authors offer books while obtaining reader information for long-term relationship building.
6. Technically Challenged Entrepreneurs
Those without coding or design skills will benefit from ClickFunnels’ user-friendly interface and pre-built templates.
Who May Want to Consider Other Solutions Elsewhere?
ClickFunnels may not be the perfect match for:
1. New Ventures with Limited Budgets
The monthly investment might be prohibitive 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. Creative Professionals Seeking Complete Creative Control
Those who require flawless designs and extensive customization might prefer platforms with more design flexibility.
4. Major Businesses with Complex Requirements
Very large organizations with complex integration needs and custom requirements might need more specialized solutions.
Beginning Your Journey 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
Choose a funnel template that suits 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 converting funnel before moving on to the next.
3. Employ 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 helpful insights and support from fellow users who can help resolve issues or suggest optimization strategies.
5. Experiment and Optimize
Use the A/B testing features to persistently refine your funnels based on actual user behavior and conversion data.
6. Start with Ready-made Templates
Rather than building from scratch, modify 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 reward 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 depends on your specific business needs, technical comfort level, and budget. If you’re committed to 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 improved capabilities of ClickFunnels 2.0.
For businesses that can support the monthly subscription and are invested in implementing effective sales funnels, ClickFunnels provides both the tools and the strategic framework to flourish in today’s competitive digital landscape. The platform regularly evolve, fixing previous limitations and expanding its capabilities to serve a broader range of marketing needs.
Whether you’re selling downloadable items, physical goods, or professional assistance, ClickFunnels offers a simplified path from stranger to customer-and that, for many businesses, is justified for the investment.