In today’s internet-driven economy, moving leads to sales is the ultimate goal for every e-commerce venture. This is where customer journey software proves valuable, and ClickFunnels positions itself as one of the most established names in this sector.
Launched by Russell Brunson in 2014, ClickFunnels has reshaped the way entrepreneurs and businesses handle online sales, working to optimize the buyer’s path from first contact to completed sale.
But is ClickFunnels worth pursuing? Does it meet its expectations? Whether you’re a marketing professional or launching your first venture, this comprehensive review will provide you with all the insights you need to make an calculated decision about ClickFunnels.
What Is ClickFunnels?
ClickFunnels is an unified marketing platform built to help businesses create optimized sales funnels without demanding technical expertise or a team of developers. At its center, ClickFunnels allows users to develop landing pages, create email sequences, execute payments, and manage customer relationships-all within a centralized platform.
The Idea of Sales Funnels
Before diving deeper into ClickFunnels, it’s essential to understand what a sales funnel is. A sales funnel depicts the path customers go through from first learning about your product or service to finalizing a sale.
It typically includes levels like exposure, interest, deliberation, and conversion.
Conventional sites are often constructed without a logical progression for visitors to navigate. This can create high bounce rates and forfeited potential customers. Sales funnels, alternatively, are purposefully created to guide visitors through a structured path, boosting the likelihood of success at each step.
ClickFunnels’ System
ClickFunnels has reduced complexity in 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 developing web pages but creating powerful conversion paths that turn visitors into customers and customers into loyal fans.
Main Capabilities of ClickFunnels
1. Funnel Development Tool
The center of ClickFunnels is its straightforward funnel builder. Users can pick a variety of funnel types, including:
- Opt-in funnels: Designed to collect email addresses
- Sales funnels: For promoting products or services
- Webinar funnels: To market and register users for webinars
- Membership funnels: For membership products
The intuitive interface makes it simple to add parts like text, images, videos, forms, and buttons without coding a single line of code.
2. Ready-made Templates
ClickFunnels offers over a hundred pre-designed templates for different industries and purposes. These templates, created by professional marketers, are designed for success and can be tailored to match your brand.
3. Variant Testing
Determining what works for your audience is critical for maximizing conversions. ClickFunnels’ A/B testing feature allows you to produce multiple versions of your pages and analyze different elements to see which is more effective.
4. Automated Emails
ClickFunnels includes email marketing capabilities, allowing you to build automated email sequences triggered by specific actions. This feature helps cultivate leads and move them further down the sales funnel.
5. Payment Processing
The platform effortlessly integrates with payment processors like various payment gateways, allowing you to accept payments straight through your funnels without moving customers to external sites.
6. Protected Content
For creators selling courses or subscription content, ClickFunnels offers the ability to create restricted membership areas where subscribers can access exclusive content.
7. Data Analysis
ClickFunnels offers extensive analytics on funnel effectiveness, including page views, conversions, and earnings. These data help users improve their funnels for greater results.
8. Affiliate Tracking
If you have an affiliate program, ClickFunnels makes it easy to run your affiliates, observe their performance, and administer commission payments.
ClickFunnels 2.0: The Improvement
In 2022, ClickFunnels released its most important update: ClickFunnels 2.0. This new version represents a complete revamp of the platform with enhanced features and capabilities.
Enhancements in 2.0?
- Advanced Website Builder: A more comprehensive website builder that allows for full website creation, not just funnels
- Upgraded E-commerce Capabilities: Better product management, inventory tracking, and order fulfillment
- Blog Creation: The ability to create and manage a blog directly within ClickFunnels
- Improved Customization: More options in design and functionality
- Upgraded User Interface: A more elegant dashboard and editor
- Performance Improvements: Faster page loading times and better mobile responsiveness
- Expanded CRM Features: More sophisticated customer relationship management tools
The upgrade to 2.0 addresses many of the restrictions users experienced with the original version, making it a more all-encompassing marketing solution.
Cost Options
ClickFunnels provides different pricing tiers to support businesses of various sizes:
Basic 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
Plus Plan
At $197 per month, the Pro plan provides:
- 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 offer a 14-day free trial, allowing users to try the platform before committing 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 Programming Expertise Required
The platform’s user-friendly interface removes the need for coding or design skills. This makes accessible the funnel-building process, making it available to entrepreneurs without technical backgrounds.
3. Quick Setup
With prepared templates and a optimized workflow, ClickFunnels significantly cuts 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 developed a engaged community of users who contribute strategies, successes, and advice. The official ClickFunnels Facebook group has over 250,000 members, creating a beneficial resource for marketers at all levels. Additionally, the platform offers comprehensive documentation, tutorials, and responsive customer support.
5. Verified Conversion Frameworks
The templates and funnel structures within ClickFunnels are created from proven marketing principles and tested conversion strategies. This means users leverage established best practices rather than starting from scratch.
6. Learning Materials
Beyond the software itself, ClickFunnels offers a multitude of educational resources. Russell Brunson’s books, such as “DotCom Secrets” and “Expert Secrets,” provide insightful marketing insights, while the ClickFunnels training programs offer formal learning opportunities.
Downsides and Drawbacks
Despite its many strengths, 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 economical entry-level options.
2. Training Requirement
While designed to be straightforward, 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 powerful, designers accustomed to more advanced tools might find it restrictive. The balance between simplicity and flexibility sometimes prioritizes the former.
4. Page Response Time
Prior to 2.0, some users reported issues with page loading speed, which can diminish SEO and user experience. While ClickFunnels 2.0 has improved performance, optimizing for speed takes 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 advanced email campaigns.
ClickFunnels Competitors: How They Compare
The sales funnel and landing page builder market has become increasingly populated. Here’s how ClickFunnels stands up to its main competitors:
1. Kartra
Benefits relative to ClickFunnels:
- More thorough marketing automation
- Built-in video hosting and advanced video marketing features
- More advanced email marketing capabilities
- Helpdesk and ticket system included
Shortcomings:
- Steeper learning curve
- Fewer templates specifically optimized for sales funnels
- Less active community
2. Leadpages
Advantages:
- More inexpensive entry point ($37/month)
- Strong focus on lead generation
- Excellent mobile-responsive designs
- Solid WordPress integration
Shortcomings:
- 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 versatile design options
- Strong analytics and conversion intelligence
- More affordable starting point
Shortcomings:
- Primarily focused on landing pages rather than complete funnels
- No built-in payment processing
- Less simple for non-technical users
4. Systeme.io
Positives:
- Significantly more economical (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 extensive feature set
- Smaller community and fewer educational resources
5. Instapage
Positives:
- 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)
Strengths:
- Most economical option if you already have WordPress
- Ultimate flexibility and customization
- Complete ownership and control
- One-time purchases versus subscription model
Weaknesses:
- 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 Should Use ClickFunnels?
ClickFunnels is particularly appropriate for:
1. Online Course 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 effortless to deliver content to paying customers.
2. Digital Sales Businesses
With ClickFunnels 2.0’s expanded e-commerce features, online retailers can create effective product funnels that grow average order value through upsells, downsells, and order bumps.
3. B2B Service Businesses
Consultants, agencies, and service providers can use ClickFunnels to acquire leads, book appointments, and sell service packages without complex website development.
4. Partnership Marketers
The platform’s optimization for conversions makes it excellent for affiliate marketers looking to increase their commissions from promotional campaigns.
5. Publishers and Content Creators
ClickFunnels provides effective book funnel templates that help authors offer books while capturing reader information for long-term relationship building.
6. Design-Inexperienced Entrepreneurs
Those without coding or design skills will enjoy ClickFunnels’ accessible interface and pre-built templates.
Who Should Consider Alternatives Elsewhere?
ClickFunnels may not be the ideal choice for:
1. Small Businesses with Limited Budgets
The monthly investment might be excessive 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 suitable, 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. Enterprise-Level Businesses with Complex Requirements
Very large organizations with complex integration needs and custom requirements might need more customized solutions.
First Steps with ClickFunnels: Tips for Success
If you decide to try ClickFunnels, here are some tips to increase 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. Focus on One Funnel at a Time
Rather than trying to build multiple funnels simultaneously, focus on creating and optimizing one profitable funnel before moving on to the next.
3. Employ the Training Resources
Take advantage of the abundant training materials, including ClickFunnels’ onboarding sequence and the FunnelFlix training library.
4. Connect with the Community
The ClickFunnels Facebook group provides useful insights and support from fellow users who can help resolve issues or suggest optimization strategies.
5. Evaluate and Optimize
Use the A/B testing features to regularly refine your funnels based on actual user behavior and conversion data.
6. Start with Pre-built Templates
Rather than building from scratch, adjust 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 yield on that investment can be significant. 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 revolves around your specific business needs, technical comfort level, and budget. If you’re focused on 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 committed to implementing effective sales funnels, ClickFunnels provides both the tools and the strategic framework to succeed in today’s competitive digital landscape. The platform regularly evolve, tackling previous limitations and extending its capabilities to serve a broader range of marketing needs.
Whether you’re selling digital products, items, or expertise, ClickFunnels offers a optimized path from stranger to customer-and that, for many businesses, is well worth the investment.