In today’s digital marketplace, changing visitors to customers is the key focus for any web-based business. This is where customer journey software proves valuable, and ClickFunnels is recognized as one of the most established names in this sector.
Founded by Russell Brunson in 2014, ClickFunnels has reimagined the way companies and business owners manage online sales, offering to streamline the buyer’s path from awareness to checkout.
But is ClickFunnels worth pursuing? Does it fulfill its hype? Whether you’re a experienced business owner or building your business from scratch, this detailed review will provide you with all the details you need to make an well-informed choice about ClickFunnels.
Defining ClickFunnels?
ClickFunnels is an all-in-one marketing platform engineered to help businesses create optimized sales funnels without necessitating technical expertise or a team of developers. At its essence, ClickFunnels allows users to build landing pages, create email sequences, facilitate payments, and oversee customer relationships-all within a unified platform.
The Theory of Sales Funnels
Prior to diving deeper into ClickFunnels, it’s necessary to understand what a sales funnel is. A sales funnel shows the path customers go through from becoming aware of your product or service to making a purchase.
It typically includes phases like discovery, attention, deliberation, and commitment.
Typical web pages are often created without a defined route for visitors to follow. This can produce high bounce rates and missed potential customers. Sales funnels, alternatively, are purposefully created to direct visitors through a planned path, raising the likelihood of positive outcomes at each step.
ClickFunnels’ Approach
ClickFunnels has streamlined the process of creating these funnels with its intuitive editor and pre-built templates. The platform’s methodology centers around not just developing web pages but creating high-converting conversion paths that transition visitors into customers and customers into loyal fans.
Core Functions of ClickFunnels
1. Funnel Development Tool
The essence of ClickFunnels is its intuitive funnel builder. Users can decide between a variety of funnel types, including:
- Opt-in funnels: Developed to collect email addresses
- Sales funnels: For offering products or services
- Webinar funnels: To promote and register users for webinars
- Membership funnels: For continuity products
The visual interface makes it straightforward to add items like text, images, videos, forms, and buttons without typing a single line of code.
2. Prepared Templates
ClickFunnels provides over many professionally created templates for various industries and purposes. These templates, produced by professional marketers, are optimized for results and can be customized to match your brand.
3. A/B Testing
Identifying what connects with your audience is crucial for improving conversions. ClickFunnels’ A/B testing option allows you to design multiple versions of your pages and compare different elements to see which delivers better results.
4. Email Sequences
ClickFunnels integrates email marketing capabilities, allowing you to establish automated email sequences triggered by specific actions. This feature helps cultivate leads and guide them further down the sales funnel.
5. Checkout System
The platform flawlessly integrates with payment processors like various payment gateways, enabling you to accept payments instantly through your funnels without shifting customers to external sites.
6. Member Portals
For creators selling courses or subscription content, ClickFunnels delivers the ability to create private membership areas where customers can access premium content.
7. Results Monitoring
ClickFunnels offers extensive analytics on funnel success, including page views, conversions, and earnings. These insights help users optimize their funnels for higher results.
8. Affiliate Management
If you have an affiliate program, ClickFunnels makes it straightforward to manage your affiliates, measure their performance, and handle 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 rebuild of the platform with improved features and capabilities.
What’s New in 2.0?
- Advanced Website Builder: A more capable website builder that allows for entire website creation, not just funnels
- Improved E-commerce Capabilities: Better product management, inventory tracking, and order fulfillment
- Blog Creation: The ability to develop and handle a blog directly within ClickFunnels
- Advanced Customization: More versatility in design and functionality
- Upgraded User Interface: A more streamlined dashboard and editor
- Efficiency Gains: Faster page loading times and better mobile responsiveness
- Expanded CRM Features: More sophisticated customer relationship management tools
The upgrade to 2.0 tackles many of the constraints users experienced with the original version, making it a more comprehensive marketing solution.
Membership Levels
ClickFunnels presents different pricing tiers to accommodate businesses of various sizes:
Basic Plan
The Basic plan (now called the “Standard” plan in ClickFunnels 2.0) costs $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 offers:
- Unlimited funnels
- Unlimited pages
- 9 payment gateways
- 9 domains
- 3 admin users
- Advanced automation
- Enhanced analytics
Ultimate 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 offer a 14-day free trial, allowing users to evaluate the platform before investing financially.
The Positives of Using ClickFunnels
1. Comprehensive Solution
Perhaps the largest 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 operate all these aspects in one place.
2. No Technical Skills Required
The platform’s intuitive interface eliminates the need for coding or design skills. This democratizes the funnel-building process, making it manageable to entrepreneurs without technical backgrounds.
3. Quick Setup
With existing templates and a streamlined workflow, ClickFunnels significantly reduces the time needed to initiate a marketing campaign. What might take weeks with custom development can be completed in days or even hours.
4. Support Network
ClickFunnels has established a thriving community of users who share 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 complete documentation, tutorials, and responsive customer support.
5. Established Conversion Frameworks
The templates and funnel structures within ClickFunnels are based on proven marketing principles and tested conversion strategies. This means users utilize established best practices rather than creating from nothing.
6. Knowledge Base
Beyond the software itself, ClickFunnels offers a multitude of educational resources. Russell Brunson’s books, such as “DotCom Secrets” and “Expert Secrets,” provide beneficial marketing insights, while the ClickFunnels training programs offer structured learning opportunities.
Downsides and Drawbacks
Despite its many positives, ClickFunnels isn’t without limitations:
1. Expense
Starting at $147 per month, ClickFunnels represents a substantial investment, especially for small businesses or startups with limited budgets. Many competitors offer more inexpensive entry-level options.
2. Adoption Challenge
While designed to be straightforward, mastering all of ClickFunnels’ features and understanding funnel strategy takes time and dedication. New users might feel challenged by the platform’s capabilities.
3. Constrained Design Flexibility
Though the intuitive editor is capable, designers accustomed to more advanced tools might find it inflexible. The balance between simplicity and flexibility sometimes leans toward the former.
4. Page Performance
Prior to 2.0, some users reported problems with page loading speed, which can diminish SEO and user experience. While ClickFunnels 2.0 has improved performance, optimizing for speed needs attention.
5. Email Marketing Shortcomings
While ClickFunnels offers 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 Alternatives: How They Compare
The sales funnel and landing page builder market has become increasingly competitive. Here’s how ClickFunnels compares to its main competitors:
1. Kartra
Positives relative to ClickFunnels:
- More complete marketing automation
- Built-in video hosting and advanced video marketing features
- More robust email marketing capabilities
- Helpdesk and ticket system included
Weaknesses:
- Steeper learning curve
- Fewer templates specifically optimized for sales funnels
- Less active community
2. Leadpages
Positives:
- More budget-friendly entry point ($37/month)
- Strong focus on lead generation
- Excellent mobile-responsive designs
- Solid WordPress integration
Disadvantages:
- Less robust 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 adaptable design options
- Strong analytics and conversion intelligence
- More affordable starting point
Drawbacks:
- Primarily focused on landing pages rather than complete funnels
- No built-in payment processing
- Less straightforward for non-technical users
4. Systeme.io
Positives:
- 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 advanced 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
Weaknesses:
- 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
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 well-suited for:
1. Online Course Creators 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 simple to deliver content to paying customers.
2. E-commerce Businesses
With ClickFunnels 2.0’s expanded 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
Advisors, 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 suitable for affiliate marketers looking to enhance their commissions from promotional campaigns.
5. Authors and Content Creators
ClickFunnels provides effective book funnel templates that help authors market books while securing reader information for long-term relationship building.
6. Non-Technical Entrepreneurs
Those without coding or design skills will benefit from ClickFunnels’ intuitive interface and pre-built templates.
Who May Want to Consider Other Solutions Elsewhere?
ClickFunnels may not be the best fit for:
1. Micro Businesses with Limited Budgets
The monthly investment might be prohibitive for businesses just starting out or with tight marketing budgets.
2. Publishing-Oriented Websites
Businesses that rely heavily on blog content and SEO might find traditional CMS platforms like WordPress more ideal, though ClickFunnels 2.0 has made improvements in this area.
3. Advanced Designers Seeking Complete Creative Control
Those who require precise designs and extensive customization might prefer platforms with more design flexibility.
4. Large Scale 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
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 effective funnel before moving on to the next.
3. Use the Training Resources
Take advantage of the abundant training materials, including ClickFunnels’ onboarding sequence and the FunnelFlix training library.
4. Join the Community
The ClickFunnels Facebook group provides valuable insights and support from fellow users who can help resolve issues or suggest optimization strategies.
5. Test and Optimize
Use the A/B testing features to consistently refine your funnels based on actual user behavior and conversion data.
6. Start with Existing Templates
Rather than building from scratch, adapt existing high-converting templates to match your brand and offering.
Final Thoughts: Is ClickFunnels Worth It?
ClickFunnels represents a important investment, but for many businesses, the payoff on that investment can be impressive. The platform’s strength lies in its ability to facilitate the complex process of creating effective sales funnels while providing the tools needed to develop leads and convert customers.
The decision ultimately hinges on your specific business needs, technical comfort level, and budget. If you’re committed to optimizing your online sales process and desire an all-in-one solution that doesn’t require technical expertise, ClickFunnels offers a attractive package-especially with the advanced capabilities of ClickFunnels 2.0.
For businesses that can handle the monthly subscription and are committed to implementing effective sales funnels, ClickFunnels provides both the tools and the strategic framework to flourish in today’s competitive digital landscape. The platform keeps evolve, tackling previous limitations and extending its capabilities to serve a broader range of marketing needs.
Whether you’re selling digital products, retail products, or services, ClickFunnels offers a efficient path from stranger to customer-and that, for many businesses, is deserving of the investment.