In today’s competitive online environment, moving leads to sales is the ultimate goal for every e-commerce venture. This is where sales funnel software shows its worth, and ClickFunnels is recognized as one of the most established names in this sector.
Created by Russell Brunson in 2014, ClickFunnels has reshaped the way marketers and organizations execute online sales, working to enhance the buyer’s path from first interaction to conversion.
But is ClickFunnels worth your money? Does it match its expectations? Whether you’re a established entrepreneur or launching your first venture, this in-depth review will provide you with all the insights you need to make an educated judgment about ClickFunnels.
Understanding ClickFunnels?
ClickFunnels is an unified marketing platform engineered to help businesses develop optimized sales funnels without calling for technical expertise or a team of developers. At its core, ClickFunnels allows users to develop landing pages, generate email sequences, facilitate payments, and handle customer relationships-all within a one platform.
The Idea of Sales Funnels
Ahead of diving deeper into ClickFunnels, it’s essential to understand what a sales funnel is. A sales funnel symbolizes the process customers go through from being introduced to your product or service to converting.
It typically includes stages like exposure, interest, evaluation, and action.
Typical web pages are often built without a structured journey for visitors to trace. This can result in high bounce rates and lost potential customers. Sales funnels, alternatively, are deliberately structured to direct visitors through a planned path, increasing the likelihood of sales at each step.
ClickFunnels’ Philosophy
ClickFunnels has streamlined the process of creating these funnels with its visual editor and prepared templates. The platform’s philosophy centers around not just designing 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 core of ClickFunnels is its simple funnel builder. Users can opt for a variety of funnel types, including:
- Opt-in funnels: Made to collect email addresses
- Sales funnels: For promoting products or services
- Webinar funnels: To publicize and register users for webinars
- Membership funnels: For subscription-based products
The intuitive interface makes it simple to add features like text, images, videos, forms, and buttons without creating a single line of code.
2. Ready-made Templates
ClickFunnels offers over numerous prepared templates for multiple industries and purposes. These templates, designed by professional marketers, are engineered for performance and can be customized to match your brand.
3. Comparative Testing
Recognizing what works for your audience is critical for maximizing conversions. ClickFunnels’ A/B testing capability allows you to build multiple versions of your pages and examine different elements to see which delivers better results.
4. Automated Emails
ClickFunnels incorporates email marketing capabilities, allowing you to create automated email sequences initiated by specific actions. This feature helps develop leads and move them further down the sales funnel.
5. Payment Processing
The platform seamlessly integrates with payment processors like PayPal, Stripe, and more, empowering you to accept payments right through your funnels without sending customers to external sites.
6. Protected Content
For creators selling courses or subscription content, ClickFunnels features the ability to create restricted membership areas where subscribers can access protected content.
7. Results Monitoring
ClickFunnels furnishes in-depth analytics on funnel success, including page views, conversions, and earnings. These metrics help users refine their funnels for better results.
8. Commission Management
If you have an affiliate program, ClickFunnels makes it easy to administer your affiliates, measure their performance, and manage commission payments.
ClickFunnels 2.0: The Next Generation
In 2022, ClickFunnels released its most important update: ClickFunnels 2.0. This new version signifies a complete rebuild of the platform with upgraded features and capabilities.
Enhancements in 2.0?
- Advanced Website Builder: A more robust website builder that allows for full website creation, not just funnels
- Expanded E-commerce Capabilities: Better product management, inventory tracking, and order fulfillment
- Blog Creation: The ability to build and handle a blog directly within ClickFunnels
- Improved Customization: More adaptability in design and functionality
- Better User Interface: A cleaner dashboard and editor
- Efficiency Gains: Faster page loading times and better mobile responsiveness
- Improved CRM Features: More capable customer relationship management tools
The upgrade to 2.0 resolves many of the restrictions users experienced with the original version, making it a more comprehensive marketing solution.
Price Plans
ClickFunnels presents different pricing tiers to match businesses of various sizes:
Fundamental 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
Advanced Plan
At $197 per month, the Pro plan includes:
- Unlimited funnels
- Unlimited pages
- 9 payment gateways
- 9 domains
- 3 admin users
- Advanced automation
- Enhanced analytics
Funnel Hacker 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 feature a 14-day free trial, allowing users to assess the platform before investing financially.
The Benefits of Using ClickFunnels
1. Integrated Solution
Perhaps the primary advantage of ClickFunnels is that it merges multiple tools into one platform. Instead of handling different services for landing pages, email marketing, payment processing, and membership sites, users can handle all these aspects in one place.
2. No Technical Skills Required
The platform’s intuitive interface takes away the need for coding or design skills. This opens up the funnel-building process, making it manageable to entrepreneurs without technical backgrounds.
3. Quick Setup
With ready-made templates and a smooth workflow, ClickFunnels significantly minimizes the time needed to initiate a marketing campaign. What might take weeks with custom development can be achieved in days or even hours.
4. Help Resources
ClickFunnels has fostered a thriving community of users who exchange 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 extensive documentation, tutorials, and responsive customer support.
5. Established Conversion Frameworks
The templates and funnel structures within ClickFunnels are founded on proven marketing principles and tested conversion strategies. This means users benefit from established best practices rather than creating from nothing.
6. Instructional Assets
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 methodical learning opportunities.
Weaknesses and Drawbacks
Despite its many advantages, ClickFunnels isn’t without limitations:
1. Price Point
Starting at $147 per month, ClickFunnels represents a considerable investment, especially for small businesses or startups with limited budgets. Many competitors offer more budget-friendly entry-level options.
2. Learning Process
While designed to be easy to use, mastering all of ClickFunnels’ features and understanding funnel strategy needs time and dedication. New users might feel daunted by the platform’s capabilities.
3. Constrained Design Flexibility
Though the visual editor is strong, designers accustomed to more advanced tools might find it inflexible. The balance between simplicity and flexibility sometimes emphasizes the former.
4. Page Response Time
Prior to 2.0, some users reported issues with page loading speed, which can reduce SEO and user experience. While ClickFunnels 2.0 has improved performance, optimizing for speed requires attention.
5. Email Marketing Shortcomings
While ClickFunnels contains email marketing features, they’re not as comprehensive as dedicated email marketing platforms. Power users might still need additional tools for sophisticated email campaigns.
ClickFunnels Contenders: How They Compare
The sales funnel and landing page builder market has become increasingly contested. Here’s how ClickFunnels fares against its main competitors:
1. Kartra
Strengths 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
Limitations:
- Steeper learning curve
- Fewer templates specifically optimized for sales funnels
- Less active community
2. Leadpages
Advantages:
- More budget-friendly entry point ($37/month)
- Strong focus on lead generation
- Excellent mobile-responsive designs
- Solid WordPress integration
Disadvantages:
- Less comprehensive than ClickFunnels (primarily focuses on landing pages)
- Limited checkout and payment processing options
- No built-in email marketing
3. Unbounce
Strengths:
- 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
Strengths:
- Significantly more affordable (starting at $27/month, with a free plan available)
- All-in-one solution similar to ClickFunnels
- Simple, intuitive interface
Weaknesses:
- Fewer templates and design options
- Less extensive feature set
- Smaller community and fewer educational resources
5. Instapage
Advantages:
- Superior design flexibility and customization
- Advanced collaboration features
- Excellent analytics and heatmaps
- Strong AdWords and Facebook Ads integration
Shortcomings:
- 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)
Advantages:
- Most cost-effective option if you already have WordPress
- Ultimate flexibility and customization
- Complete ownership and control
- One-time purchases versus subscription model
Shortcomings:
- 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 well-suited for:
1. E-learning Providers 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 convenient to deliver content to paying customers.
2. Online Retail Businesses
With ClickFunnels 2.0’s advanced e-commerce features, online retailers can create effective product funnels that boost average order value through upsells, downsells, and order bumps.
3. Client Service Businesses
Experts, agencies, and service providers can use ClickFunnels to create leads, book appointments, and sell service packages without complex website development.
4. Referral Marketers
The platform’s optimization for conversions makes it perfect for affiliate marketers looking to enhance their commissions from promotional campaigns.
5. Book Publishers and Content Creators
ClickFunnels provides effective book funnel templates that help authors offer books while collecting reader information for long-term relationship building.
6. Technology Novice Entrepreneurs
Those without coding or design skills will value ClickFunnels’ accessible interface and pre-built templates.
Who Might Want to Look Elsewhere?
ClickFunnels may not be the ideal choice for:
1. Solo Entrepreneurs with Limited Budgets
The monthly investment might be excessive 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. Design Experts Seeking Complete Creative Control
Those who require meticulous 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.
Beginning Your Journey 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
Choose a funnel template that matches 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. Use the Training Resources
Take advantage of the abundant 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. Test and Optimize
Use the A/B testing features to constantly refine your funnels based on actual user behavior and conversion data.
6. Start with Prepared Templates
Rather than building from scratch, modify existing high-converting templates to match your brand and offering.
Wrapping Up: Is ClickFunnels Worth It?
ClickFunnels represents a major investment, but for many businesses, the return 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 grow leads and convert customers.
The decision ultimately hinges on your specific business needs, technical comfort level, and budget. If you’re focused on optimizing your online sales process and prefer an all-in-one solution that doesn’t require technical expertise, ClickFunnels offers a convincing 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 flourish in today’s competitive digital landscape. The platform continues to evolve, resolving previous limitations and growing its capabilities to serve a broader range of marketing needs.
Whether you’re selling digital products, physical goods, or professional assistance, ClickFunnels offers a streamlined path from stranger to customer-and that, for many businesses, is worth the investment.