In the current online business landscape, transforming browsers into purchasers is the ultimate goal for every digital enterprise. This is where customer journey software shows its worth, and ClickFunnels stands as one of the most established names in this space.
Launched by Russell Brunson in 2014, ClickFunnels has transformed the way companies and business owners execute online sales, striving to optimize the user experience from awareness to completed sale.
But is ClickFunnels worth pursuing? Does it deliver on its potential? Whether you’re a marketing professional or building your business from scratch, this complete review will provide you with everything you need to make an educated judgment about ClickFunnels.
Defining ClickFunnels?
ClickFunnels is an comprehensive marketing platform engineered to help businesses build optimized sales funnels without requiring technical expertise or a team of developers. At its core, ClickFunnels allows users to develop landing pages, establish email sequences, handle payments, and administer customer relationships-all within a centralized platform.
The Principle of Sales Funnels
Ahead of diving deeper into ClickFunnels, it’s necessary to understand what a sales funnel is. A sales funnel depicts the progression customers go through from first learning about your product or service to completing a transaction.
It typically includes stages like exposure, interest, deliberation, and conversion.
Traditional websites are often built without a logical progression for visitors to take. This can create high bounce rates and forfeited potential customers. Sales funnels, on the other hand, are purposefully created to steer visitors through a established path, increasing the likelihood of sales at each step.
ClickFunnels’ Philosophy
ClickFunnels has simplified the process of creating these funnels with its user-friendly editor and prepared templates. The platform’s concept centers around not just building web pages but creating effective conversion paths that convert visitors into customers and customers into loyal fans.
Core Functions of ClickFunnels
1. Funnel Construction Kit
The core of ClickFunnels is its user-friendly funnel builder. Users can decide between a variety of funnel types, including:
- Opt-in funnels: Developed to collect email addresses
- Sales funnels: For retailing products or services
- Webinar funnels: To boost and register users for webinars
- Membership funnels: For membership products
The point-and-click interface makes it straightforward to add features like text, images, videos, forms, and buttons without writing a single line of code.
2. Pre-built Templates
ClickFunnels provides over one hundred ready-made templates for different industries and purposes. These templates, created by marketing specialists, are created for conversions and can be customized to match your brand.
3. Split Testing
Identifying what works for your audience is vital for increasing conversions. ClickFunnels’ A/B testing function allows you to create multiple versions of your pages and evaluate different elements to see which converts higher.
4. Email Sequences
ClickFunnels combines email marketing capabilities, allowing you to build automated email sequences initiated by specific actions. This feature helps develop leads and push them further down the sales funnel.
5. Billing Integration
The platform smoothly integrates with payment processors like Stripe, PayPal, and others, empowering you to accept payments immediately through your funnels without moving customers to external sites.
6. Member Sections
For experts selling courses or subscription content, ClickFunnels provides the ability to create protected membership areas where customers can access special content.
7. Performance Tracking
ClickFunnels furnishes thorough analytics on funnel effectiveness, including page views, conversions, and earnings. These insights help users optimize their funnels for better results.
8. Partner Program Tools
If you have an affiliate program, ClickFunnels makes it straightforward to manage your affiliates, analyze their performance, and process commission payments.
ClickFunnels 2.0: The Advancement
In 2022, ClickFunnels released its most noteworthy update: ClickFunnels 2.0. This new version constitutes a complete revamp of the platform with advanced features and capabilities.
What’s New in 2.0?
- Enhanced Website Builder: A more comprehensive website builder that allows for entire website creation, not just funnels
- Upgraded E-commerce Capabilities: Better product management, inventory tracking, and order fulfillment
- Blog Creation: The ability to establish and maintain a blog directly within ClickFunnels
- Improved Customization: More versatility in design and functionality
- Enhanced User Interface: A more intuitive dashboard and editor
- Efficiency Gains: Faster page loading times and better mobile responsiveness
- Advanced CRM Features: More sophisticated customer relationship management tools
The upgrade to 2.0 fixes many of the constraints users experienced with the original version, making it a more comprehensive marketing solution.
Price Plans
ClickFunnels features different pricing tiers to accommodate businesses of various sizes:
Entry-Level Plan
The Basic plan (now called the “Standard” plan in ClickFunnels 2.0) runs $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 delivers:
- 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 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 provide a 14-day free trial, allowing users to experience the platform before subscribing financially.
The Positives of Using ClickFunnels
1. Complete Solution
Perhaps the largest advantage of ClickFunnels is that it consolidates multiple tools into one platform. Instead of juggling different services for landing pages, email marketing, payment processing, and membership sites, users can administer all these aspects in one place.
2. No Technical Background Required
The platform’s visual interface removes the need for coding or design skills. This streamlines the funnel-building process, making it available to entrepreneurs without technical backgrounds.
3. Time Efficiency
With existing templates and a smooth workflow, ClickFunnels significantly reduces the time needed to release a marketing campaign. What might take weeks with custom development can be done in days or even hours.
4. Community and Support
ClickFunnels has built a thriving community of users who contribute strategies, successes, and advice. The official ClickFunnels Facebook group has over 250,000 members, creating a valuable resource for marketers at all levels. Additionally, the platform offers complete documentation, tutorials, and responsive customer support.
5. Verified 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 collection of educational resources. Russell Brunson’s books, such as “DotCom Secrets” and “Expert Secrets,” provide useful 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 significant investment, especially for solopreneurs or startups with limited budgets. Many competitors offer more cost-effective entry-level options.
2. Learning Curve
While designed to be user-friendly, mastering all of ClickFunnels’ features and understanding funnel strategy needs time and dedication. New users might feel daunted by the platform’s capabilities.
3. Modest Design Flexibility
Though the drag-and-drop editor is robust, designers accustomed to more advanced tools might find it inflexible. The balance between simplicity and flexibility sometimes prioritizes the former.
4. Page Response Time
Prior to 2.0, some users reported concerns 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 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 sophisticated email campaigns.
ClickFunnels Rivals: How They Compare
The sales funnel and landing page builder market has become increasingly crowded. Here’s how ClickFunnels compares to its main competitors:
1. Kartra
Strengths relative to ClickFunnels:
- More all-encompassing 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
Limitations:
- Less extensive 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 flexible 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 intuitive for non-technical users
4. Systeme.io
Strong points:
- Significantly more budget-friendly (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 extensive 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)
Positives:
- Most budget-friendly 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 Is Right For ClickFunnels?
ClickFunnels is particularly appropriate for:
1. Course Developers 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 straightforward to deliver content to paying customers.
2. Online Retail 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. Professional Services Businesses
Consultants, agencies, and service providers can use ClickFunnels to create leads, book appointments, and sell service packages without complex website development.
4. Partnership Marketers
The platform’s optimization for conversions makes it perfect for affiliate marketers looking to improve their commissions from promotional campaigns.
5. Content Creators and Content Creators
ClickFunnels provides effective book funnel templates that help authors sell books while collecting reader information for long-term relationship building.
6. Technology Novice Entrepreneurs
Those without coding or design skills will welcome ClickFunnels’ accessible interface and pre-built templates.
Who Should Consider Alternatives Elsewhere?
ClickFunnels may not be the best fit for:
1. Micro Businesses with Limited Budgets
The monthly investment might be costly for businesses just starting out or with tight marketing budgets.
2. Editorial 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. Professional Designers Seeking Complete Creative Control
Those who require exact 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 customized solutions.
Launching 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
Select a funnel template that corresponds to 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 converting funnel before moving on to the next.
3. Take advantage of the Training Resources
Take advantage of the detailed training materials, including ClickFunnels’ onboarding sequence and the FunnelFlix training library.
4. Become part of the Community
The ClickFunnels Facebook group provides useful insights and support from fellow users who can help address 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 Available Templates
Rather than building from scratch, modify existing high-converting templates to match your brand and offering.
Conclusion: Is ClickFunnels Worth It?
ClickFunnels represents a substantial investment, but for many businesses, the payoff on that investment can be remarkable. The platform’s strength lies in its ability to simplify the complex process of creating effective sales funnels while providing the tools needed to grow leads and convert customers.
The decision ultimately comes down to your specific business needs, technical comfort level, and budget. If you’re dedicated to optimizing your online sales process and prioritize an all-in-one solution that doesn’t require technical expertise, ClickFunnels offers a appealing package-especially with the expanded capabilities of ClickFunnels 2.0.
For businesses that can budget for the monthly subscription and are focused on implementing effective sales funnels, ClickFunnels provides both the tools and the strategic framework to succeed in today’s competitive digital landscape. The platform is always evolve, addressing previous limitations and expanding its capabilities to serve a broader range of marketing needs.
Whether you’re selling digital products, tangible products, or services, ClickFunnels offers a streamlined path from stranger to customer-and that, for many businesses, is deserving of the investment.