In the modern e-commerce world, turning prospects into buyers is the key focus for all internet companies. This is where sales funnel software shows its worth, and ClickFunnels is recognized as one of the most established names in this space.
Created by Russell Brunson in 2014, ClickFunnels has changed the way marketers and organizations handle online sales, aiming to streamline the customer journey from discovery to final purchase.
But is ClickFunnels a good value? Does it live up to its expectations? Whether you’re a experienced business owner or just starting your entrepreneurial journey, this comprehensive review will provide you with all the details you need to make an smart choice about ClickFunnels.
What Is ClickFunnels?
ClickFunnels is an integrated marketing platform engineered to help businesses create optimized sales funnels without demanding technical expertise or a team of developers. At its core, ClickFunnels allows users to design landing pages, generate email sequences, manage payments, and administer customer relationships-all within a one platform.
The Concept of Sales Funnels
Preceding diving deeper into ClickFunnels, it’s important to understand what a sales funnel is. A sales funnel illustrates the progression customers go through from initially discovering your product or service to completing a transaction.
It typically includes parts like recognition, appeal, decision, and commitment.
Typical web pages are often built without a defined route for visitors to follow. This can cause high bounce rates and forfeited potential customers. Sales funnels, by contrast, are purposefully created to lead visitors through a established path, improving the likelihood of sales at each step.
ClickFunnels’ Methodology
ClickFunnels has streamlined the process of creating these funnels with its visual editor and ready-made templates. The platform’s methodology centers around not just constructing web pages but creating high-converting conversion paths that change visitors into customers and customers into repeat buyers.
Primary Elements of ClickFunnels
1. Funnel Builder
The foundation of ClickFunnels is its intuitive funnel builder. Users can select a variety of funnel types, including:
- Opt-in funnels: Designed to collect email addresses
- Sales funnels: For promoting products or services
- Webinar funnels: To promote and register users for webinars
- Membership funnels: For ongoing products
The visual interface makes it easy to add parts like text, images, videos, forms, and buttons without creating a single line of code.
2. Prepared Templates
ClickFunnels offers over a hundred prepared templates for different industries and purposes. These templates, designed by experienced designers, are designed for performance and can be customized to match your brand.
3. Split Testing
Determining what appeals to your audience is key for maximizing conversions. ClickFunnels’ A/B testing function allows you to design multiple versions of your pages and test different elements to see which converts higher.
4. Email Sequences
ClickFunnels features email marketing capabilities, allowing you to build automated email sequences started by specific actions. This feature helps develop leads and guide them further down the sales funnel.
5. Billing Integration
The platform easily integrates with payment processors like different payment solutions, allowing you to accept payments immediately through your funnels without moving customers to external sites.
6. Membership Areas
For marketers selling courses or subscription content, ClickFunnels includes the ability to create private membership areas where members can access premium content.
7. Performance Tracking
ClickFunnels offers comprehensive analytics on funnel performance, including page views, conversions, and earnings. These information help users perfect their funnels for higher results.
8. Referral System
If you have an affiliate program, ClickFunnels makes it effortless to manage your affiliates, analyze their performance, and administer commission payments.
ClickFunnels 2.0: The Advancement
In 2022, ClickFunnels released its most important update: ClickFunnels 2.0. This new version constitutes a complete overhaul of the platform with improved features and capabilities.
Upgrades 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 develop and handle a blog directly within ClickFunnels
- Improved Customization: More versatility in design and functionality
- Enhanced User Interface: A more elegant dashboard and editor
- Technical Improvements: Faster page loading times and better mobile responsiveness
- Upgraded CRM Features: More powerful customer relationship management tools
The upgrade to 2.0 resolves many of the weaknesses users experienced with the original version, making it a more all-encompassing marketing solution.
Price Plans
ClickFunnels features different pricing tiers to match businesses of various sizes:
Standard 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
Top-tier Plan
For $997 per month, the Funnel Hacker plan contains:
- 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 provide a 14-day free trial, allowing users to test the platform before deciding financially.
The Positives of Using ClickFunnels
1. Complete Solution
Perhaps the main advantage of ClickFunnels is that it integrates multiple tools into one platform. Instead of handling different services for landing pages, email marketing, payment processing, and membership sites, users can control all these aspects in one place.
2. No Technical Background Required
The platform’s point-and-click interface takes away the need for coding or design skills. This streamlines the funnel-building process, making it accessible to entrepreneurs without technical backgrounds.
3. Fast Implementation
With prepared 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 finished in days or even hours.
4. Help Resources
ClickFunnels has built a vibrant community of users who provide 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 thorough documentation, tutorials, and responsive customer support.
5. Established Conversion Frameworks
The templates and funnel structures within ClickFunnels are derived from proven marketing principles and tested conversion strategies. This means users leverage established best practices rather than beginning anew.
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 insightful marketing insights, while the ClickFunnels training programs offer methodical learning opportunities.
Limitations and Drawbacks
Despite its many benefits, ClickFunnels isn’t without limitations:
1. Investment
Starting at $147 per month, ClickFunnels represents a considerable investment, especially for individual entrepreneurs or startups with limited budgets. Many competitors offer more economical entry-level options.
2. Learning Process
While designed to be easy to use, mastering all of ClickFunnels’ features and understanding funnel strategy requires time and dedication. New users might feel intimidated by the platform’s capabilities.
3. Modest Design Flexibility
Though the drag-and-drop editor is strong, designers accustomed to more advanced tools might find it confining. The balance between simplicity and flexibility sometimes tilts toward the former.
4. Page Speed Performance
Prior to 2.0, some users reported problems with page loading speed, which can negatively impact SEO and user experience. While ClickFunnels 2.0 has improved performance, optimizing for speed calls for attention.
5. Email Marketing Limitations
While ClickFunnels includes 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 Competitors: 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
Positives relative to ClickFunnels:
- More thorough marketing automation
- Built-in video hosting and advanced video marketing features
- More robust email marketing capabilities
- Helpdesk and ticket system included
Shortcomings:
- Steeper learning curve
- Fewer templates specifically optimized for sales funnels
- Less active community
2. Leadpages
Strengths:
- More affordable entry point ($37/month)
- Strong focus on lead generation
- Excellent mobile-responsive designs
- Solid WordPress integration
Drawbacks:
- Less robust than ClickFunnels (primarily focuses on landing pages)
- Limited checkout and payment processing options
- No built-in email marketing
3. Unbounce
Advantages:
- Advanced A/B testing capabilities
- Highly adaptable design options
- Strong analytics and conversion intelligence
- More affordable starting point
Disadvantages:
- Primarily focused on landing pages rather than complete funnels
- No built-in payment processing
- Less user-friendly for non-technical users
4. Systeme.io
Benefits:
- Significantly more economical (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 robust 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
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)
Strengths:
- 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 Is Ideal For ClickFunnels?
ClickFunnels is particularly well-suited for:
1. Course Developers and Coaches
The platform works great for creating sales funnels for digital products like courses, coaching programs, and membership sites. The built-in membership functionality makes it straightforward 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 increase average order value through upsells, downsells, and order bumps.
3. Service-Based Businesses
Advisors, agencies, and service providers can use ClickFunnels to acquire 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 maximize their commissions from promotional campaigns.
5. Writers and Content Creators
ClickFunnels provides effective book funnel templates that help authors market books while securing reader information for long-term relationship building.
6. Design-Inexperienced Entrepreneurs
Those without coding or design skills will benefit from ClickFunnels’ simple interface and pre-built templates.
Who May Not Be Ideal Elsewhere?
ClickFunnels may not be the ideal choice for:
1. New Ventures with Limited Budgets
The monthly investment might be unaffordable for businesses just starting out or with tight marketing budgets.
2. Media-Rich 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 meticulous 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 bespoke solutions.
Beginning Your Journey with ClickFunnels: Tips for Success
If you decide to try ClickFunnels, here are some tips to optimize your experience:
1. Start with the Right Funnel Type
Decide on a funnel template that aligns with your specific goal, whether it’s lead generation, product sales, or webinar registration.
2. Prioritize 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. Leverage the Training Resources
Take advantage of the detailed training materials, including ClickFunnels’ onboarding sequence and the FunnelFlix training library.
4. Participate in the Community
The ClickFunnels Facebook group provides helpful insights and support from fellow users who can help troubleshoot issues or suggest optimization strategies.
5. Test and Optimize
Use the A/B testing features to continuously 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.
The Bottom Line: Is ClickFunnels Worth It?
ClickFunnels represents a major investment, but for many businesses, the benefit on that investment can be significant. The platform’s strength lies in its ability to streamline 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 dedicated to optimizing your online sales process and value an all-in-one solution that doesn’t require technical expertise, ClickFunnels offers a attractive package-especially with the upgraded capabilities of ClickFunnels 2.0.
For businesses that can handle 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 continues to evolve, fixing previous limitations and growing its capabilities to serve a broader range of marketing needs.
Whether you’re selling online courses, tangible products, or coaching, ClickFunnels offers a streamlined path from stranger to customer-and that, for many businesses, is justified for the investment.