In today’s digital marketplace, turning prospects into buyers is the main aim for every e-commerce venture. This is where customer journey software shows its worth, and ClickFunnels positions itself as one of the most recognized names in this space.
Started by Russell Brunson in 2014, ClickFunnels has revolutionized the way marketers and organizations handle online sales, aiming to streamline the purchase process from discovery to checkout.
But is ClickFunnels worth your money? Does it live up to its claims? Whether you’re a digital marketing veteran or launching your first venture, this complete review will provide you with the complete picture you need to make an informed decision about ClickFunnels.
Introducing ClickFunnels?
ClickFunnels is an unified marketing platform designed to help businesses build optimized sales funnels without demanding technical expertise or a team of developers. At its essence, ClickFunnels allows users to build landing pages, produce email sequences, execute payments, and oversee customer relationships-all within a centralized platform.
The Principle of Sales Funnels
Prior to diving deeper into ClickFunnels, it’s important to understand what a sales funnel is. A sales funnel illustrates the path customers go through from first encountering your product or service to finalizing a sale.
It typically includes parts like discovery, engagement, consideration, and commitment.
Regular sites are often constructed without a clear path for visitors to pursue. This can produce high bounce rates and forfeited potential customers. Sales funnels, on the other hand, are intentionally built to steer visitors through a defined path, improving the likelihood of positive outcomes at each step.
ClickFunnels’ Strategy
ClickFunnels has simplified the process of creating these funnels with its point-and-click editor and ready-to-use templates. The platform’s philosophy centers around not just creating web pages but creating effective conversion paths that change visitors into customers and customers into repeat buyers.
Primary Elements of ClickFunnels
1. Funnel Creator
The foundation of ClickFunnels is its intuitive funnel builder. Users can pick a variety of funnel types, including:
- Opt-in funnels: Created to collect email addresses
- Sales funnels: For offering products or services
- Webinar funnels: To advertise and register users for webinars
- Membership funnels: For recurring products
The visual interface makes it uncomplicated to add features like text, images, videos, forms, and buttons without producing a single line of code.
2. Pre-designed Templates
ClickFunnels offers over 100 prepared templates for various industries and purposes. These templates, developed by industry professionals, are engineered for conversions and can be personalized to match your brand.
3. A/B Testing
Knowing what engages your audience is essential for optimizing conversions. ClickFunnels’ A/B testing capability allows you to design multiple versions of your pages and analyze different elements to see which converts higher.
4. Email Sequences
ClickFunnels combines email marketing capabilities, allowing you to create automated email sequences activated by specific actions. This feature helps foster leads and transition them further down the sales funnel.
5. Billing Integration
The platform seamlessly integrates with payment processors like different payment solutions, allowing you to accept payments straight through your funnels without moving customers to external sites.
6. Membership Areas
For entrepreneurs selling courses or subscription content, ClickFunnels offers the ability to create secure membership areas where subscribers can access restricted content.
7. Data Analysis
ClickFunnels offers detailed analytics on funnel metrics, including page views, conversions, and earnings. These statistics help users improve their funnels for stronger results.
8. Affiliate Tracking
If you have an affiliate program, ClickFunnels makes it easy to manage your affiliates, observe their performance, and process commission payments.
ClickFunnels 2.0: The Evolution
In 2022, ClickFunnels released its most important update: ClickFunnels 2.0. This new version embodies a complete redesign of the platform with enhanced features and capabilities.
Enhancements in 2.0?
- Advanced Website Builder: A more powerful website builder that allows for total website creation, not just funnels
- Upgraded E-commerce Capabilities: Better product management, inventory tracking, and order fulfillment
- Blog Creation: The ability to build and run a blog directly within ClickFunnels
- Sophisticated Customization: More freedom in design and functionality
- Refined User Interface: A more intuitive dashboard and editor
- Efficiency Gains: Faster page loading times and better mobile responsiveness
- Upgraded CRM Features: More advanced customer relationship management tools
The upgrade to 2.0 addresses many of the constraints users experienced with the original version, making it a more comprehensive marketing solution.
Membership Levels
ClickFunnels provides different pricing tiers to suit businesses of various sizes:
Starter 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
Professional 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
Top-tier 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 try the platform before investing financially.
The Benefits of Using ClickFunnels
1. Integrated 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 administer all these aspects in one place.
2. No Development Experience Required
The platform’s intuitive interface negates the need for coding or design skills. This makes accessible the funnel-building process, making it usable to entrepreneurs without technical backgrounds.
3. Quick Setup
With ready-made templates and a efficient workflow, ClickFunnels significantly decreases the time needed to start a marketing campaign. What might take weeks with custom development can be done in days or even hours.
4. Support Network
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 comprehensive 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 benefit from 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 beneficial marketing insights, while the ClickFunnels training programs offer formal learning opportunities.
Limitations and Drawbacks
Despite its many benefits, ClickFunnels isn’t without limitations:
1. Cost
Starting at $147 per month, ClickFunnels represents a substantial investment, especially for one-person operations or startups with limited budgets. Many competitors offer more budget-friendly entry-level options.
2. Learning Curve
While designed to be straightforward, mastering all of ClickFunnels’ features and understanding funnel strategy takes time and dedication. New users might feel overwhelmed by the platform’s capabilities.
3. Finite Design Flexibility
Though the intuitive editor is powerful, designers accustomed to more advanced tools might find it inflexible. The balance between simplicity and flexibility sometimes emphasizes the former.
4. Page Loading Speed
Prior to 2.0, some users reported challenges with page loading speed, which can negatively impact SEO and user experience. While ClickFunnels 2.0 has improved performance, optimizing for speed requires attention.
5. Email Marketing Restrictions
While ClickFunnels offers 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 Competition: 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
Strong points relative to ClickFunnels:
- More extensive marketing automation
- Built-in video hosting and advanced video marketing features
- More sophisticated email marketing capabilities
- Helpdesk and ticket system included
Weaknesses:
- Steeper learning curve
- Fewer templates specifically optimized for sales funnels
- Less active community
2. Leadpages
Strong points:
- More affordable entry point ($37/month)
- Strong focus on lead generation
- Excellent mobile-responsive designs
- Solid WordPress integration
Limitations:
- 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 adjustable design options
- Strong analytics and conversion intelligence
- More affordable starting point
Limitations:
- Primarily focused on landing pages rather than complete funnels
- No built-in payment processing
- Less intuitive for non-technical users
4. Systeme.io
Strong points:
- Significantly more cost-effective (starting at $27/month, with a free plan available)
- All-in-one solution similar to ClickFunnels
- Simple, intuitive interface
Limitations:
- Fewer templates and design options
- Less powerful feature set
- Smaller community and fewer educational resources
5. Instapage
Strengths:
- 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)
Positives:
- Most inexpensive option if you already have WordPress
- Ultimate flexibility and customization
- Complete ownership and control
- One-time purchases versus subscription model
Drawbacks:
- 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 Will Love ClickFunnels?
ClickFunnels is particularly appropriate for:
1. Information Product Creators and Coaches
The platform is optimized 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. E-commerce Businesses
With ClickFunnels 2.0’s advanced e-commerce features, online retailers can create effective product funnels that enhance average order value through upsells, downsells, and order bumps.
3. Professional Services Businesses
Professionals, agencies, and service providers can use ClickFunnels to create leads, book appointments, and sell service packages without complex website development.
4. Commission Marketers
The platform’s optimization for conversions makes it appropriate 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 market books while collecting reader information for long-term relationship building.
6. Technically Challenged Entrepreneurs
Those without coding or design skills will benefit from ClickFunnels’ straightforward interface and pre-built templates.
Who Should Explore Other Options Elsewhere?
ClickFunnels may not be the optimal solution for:
1. Small Businesses with Limited Budgets
The monthly investment might be costly for businesses just starting out or with tight marketing budgets.
2. Content-Heavy 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. Professional Designers Seeking Complete Creative Control
Those who require pixel-perfect 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 dedicated solutions.
Beginning Your Journey 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
Opt for a funnel template that matches 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 converting funnel before moving on to the next.
3. Employ the Training Resources
Take advantage of the thorough 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 fix issues or suggest optimization strategies.
5. Try and Optimize
Use the A/B testing features to regularly refine your funnels based on actual user behavior and conversion data.
6. Start with Existing Templates
Rather than building from scratch, customize existing high-converting templates to match your brand and offering.
The Bottom Line: Is ClickFunnels Worth It?
ClickFunnels represents a substantial investment, but for many businesses, the benefit on that investment can be remarkable. 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 comes down to your specific business needs, technical comfort level, and budget. If you’re committed to optimizing your online sales process and prioritize 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 manage the monthly subscription and are serious about 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, addressing previous limitations and increasing its capabilities to serve a broader range of marketing needs.
Whether you’re selling digital products, physical goods, or coaching, ClickFunnels offers a simplified path from stranger to customer-and that, for many businesses, is worth the investment.