In the current online business landscape, changing visitors to customers is the ultimate goal for any web-based business. This is where customer journey software shows its worth, and ClickFunnels remains one of the most well-known names in this industry.
Launched by Russell Brunson in 2014, ClickFunnels has reshaped the way entrepreneurs and businesses execute online sales, promising to streamline the user experience from awareness to final purchase.
But is ClickFunnels worth pursuing? Does it match its claims? Whether you’re a experienced business owner or new to online business, this comprehensive review will provide you with all the details you need to make an smart choice about ClickFunnels.
Defining ClickFunnels?
ClickFunnels is an comprehensive marketing platform created to help businesses build optimized sales funnels without demanding technical expertise or a team of developers. At its foundation, ClickFunnels allows users to build landing pages, generate email sequences, manage payments, and handle customer relationships-all within a unified platform.
The Idea of Sales Funnels
Preceding diving deeper into ClickFunnels, it’s critical to understand what a sales funnel is. A sales funnel symbolizes the process customers go through from first encountering your product or service to making a purchase.
It typically includes levels like discovery, attention, consideration, and purchase.
Regular sites are often created without a defined route for visitors to take. This can produce high bounce rates and lost potential customers. Sales funnels, by contrast, are intentionally built to direct visitors through a predetermined path, enhancing the likelihood of positive outcomes at each step.
ClickFunnels’ System
ClickFunnels has reduced complexity in the process of creating these funnels with its visual editor and pre-built templates. The platform’s concept centers around not just building web pages but creating successful conversion paths that convert visitors into customers and customers into brand ambassadors.
Core Functions of ClickFunnels
1. Funnel Creator
The heart of ClickFunnels is its simple funnel builder. Users can select a variety of funnel types, including:
- Opt-in funnels: Built to collect email addresses
- Sales funnels: For offering products or services
- Webinar funnels: To advertise and register users for webinars
- Membership funnels: For subscription-based products
The point-and-click interface makes it straightforward to add features like text, images, videos, forms, and buttons without typing a single line of code.
2. Pre-designed Templates
ClickFunnels delivers over a hundred professionally created templates for diverse industries and purposes. These templates, produced by industry professionals, are structured for success and can be personalized to match your brand.
3. Variant Testing
Identifying what appeals to your audience is key for optimizing conversions. ClickFunnels’ A/B testing option allows you to produce multiple versions of your pages and test different elements to see which delivers better results.
4. Email Campaigns
ClickFunnels combines email marketing capabilities, allowing you to develop automated email sequences launched by specific actions. This feature helps develop leads and direct them further down the sales funnel.
5. Checkout System
The platform smoothly integrates with payment processors like multiple payment options, facilitating you to accept payments right through your funnels without transferring customers to external sites.
6. Member Portals
For marketers selling courses or subscription content, ClickFunnels features the ability to create restricted membership areas where customers can access exclusive content.
7. Statistics and Metrics
ClickFunnels offers thorough analytics on funnel success, including page views, conversions, and earnings. These information help users improve their funnels for improved results.
8. Affiliate Management
If you have an affiliate program, ClickFunnels makes it uncomplicated to handle your affiliates, measure their performance, and handle commission payments.
ClickFunnels 2.0: The Improvement
In 2022, ClickFunnels released its most substantial update: ClickFunnels 2.0. This new version constitutes a complete redesign of the platform with upgraded features and capabilities.
New Features in 2.0?
- Advanced Website Builder: A more robust website builder that allows for full website creation, not just funnels
- Improved E-commerce Capabilities: Better product management, inventory tracking, and order fulfillment
- Blog Creation: The ability to develop and administer a blog directly within ClickFunnels
- Improved Customization: More freedom in design and functionality
- Upgraded User Interface: A more streamlined dashboard and editor
- Performance Improvements: Faster page loading times and better mobile responsiveness
- Improved CRM Features: More powerful customer relationship management tools
The upgrade to 2.0 solves many of the constraints users experienced with the original version, making it a more comprehensive marketing solution.
Cost Options
ClickFunnels includes different pricing tiers to match 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 includes:
- 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 offer a 14-day free trial, allowing users to try the platform before committing financially.
The Benefits of Using ClickFunnels
1. Comprehensive Solution
Perhaps the primary advantage of ClickFunnels is that it unifies multiple tools into one platform. Instead of juggling different services for landing pages, email marketing, payment processing, and membership sites, users can control all these aspects in one place.
2. No Development Experience Required
The platform’s point-and-click interface eliminates the need for coding or design skills. This democratizes the funnel-building process, making it available to entrepreneurs without technical backgrounds.
3. Fast Implementation
With template templates and a smooth workflow, ClickFunnels significantly decreases the time needed to release a marketing campaign. What might take weeks with custom development can be completed 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 valuable resource for marketers at all levels. Additionally, the platform offers thorough documentation, tutorials, and responsive customer support.
5. Proven 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. Educational Resources
Beyond the software itself, ClickFunnels offers a wealth of educational resources. Russell Brunson’s books, such as “DotCom Secrets” and “Expert Secrets,” provide helpful marketing insights, while the ClickFunnels training programs offer organized learning opportunities.
Drawbacks and Drawbacks
Despite its many strengths, ClickFunnels isn’t without limitations:
1. Cost
Starting at $147 per month, ClickFunnels represents a major investment, especially for individual entrepreneurs or startups with limited budgets. Many competitors offer more cost-effective entry-level options.
2. Adoption Challenge
While designed to be intuitive, mastering all of ClickFunnels’ features and understanding funnel strategy requires time and dedication. New users might feel intimidated by the platform’s capabilities.
3. Limited Design Flexibility
Though the visual editor is strong, designers accustomed to more advanced tools might find it constraining. The balance between simplicity and flexibility sometimes tilts toward the former.
4. Page Speed Performance
Prior to 2.0, some users reported concerns with page loading speed, which can diminish SEO and user experience. While ClickFunnels 2.0 has improved performance, optimizing for speed demands 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 advanced email campaigns.
ClickFunnels Contenders: How They Compare
The sales funnel and landing page builder market has become increasingly crowded. Here’s how ClickFunnels stacks up against its main competitors:
1. Kartra
Benefits relative to ClickFunnels:
- More comprehensive marketing automation
- Built-in video hosting and advanced video marketing features
- More powerful email marketing capabilities
- Helpdesk and ticket system included
Limitations:
- Steeper learning curve
- Fewer templates specifically optimized for sales funnels
- Less active community
2. Leadpages
Positives:
- More budget-friendly entry point ($37/month)
- Strong focus on lead generation
- Excellent mobile-responsive designs
- Solid WordPress integration
Weaknesses:
- 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 flexible 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 easy for non-technical users
4. Systeme.io
Positives:
- 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 comprehensive 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
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)
Benefits:
- Most economical option if you already have WordPress
- Ultimate flexibility and customization
- Complete ownership and control
- One-time purchases versus subscription model
Disadvantages:
- 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 well-suited for:
1. Digital Educators 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 easy 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
Specialists, agencies, and service providers can use ClickFunnels to obtain leads, book appointments, and sell service packages without complex website development.
4. Digital Affiliates
The platform’s optimization for conversions makes it perfect for affiliate marketers looking to improve their commissions from promotional campaigns.
5. Publishers and Content Creators
ClickFunnels provides effective book funnel templates that help authors distribute books while securing reader information for long-term relationship building.
6. Technically Challenged Entrepreneurs
Those without coding or design skills will enjoy ClickFunnels’ accessible interface and pre-built templates.
Who Should Explore Other Options Elsewhere?
ClickFunnels may not be the right option for:
1. Startups 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 suitable, though ClickFunnels 2.0 has made improvements in this area.
3. Design Specialists Seeking Complete Creative Control
Those who require pixel-perfect designs and extensive customization might prefer platforms with more design flexibility.
4. Large Scale Businesses with Complex Requirements
Very large organizations with complex integration needs and custom requirements might need more dedicated solutions.
First Steps 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
Pick a funnel template that fits 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. Take advantage of the Training Resources
Take advantage of the thorough training materials, including ClickFunnels’ onboarding sequence and the FunnelFlix training library.
4. Become part of the Community
The ClickFunnels Facebook group provides valuable insights and support from fellow users who can help fix 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 Existing Templates
Rather than building from scratch, customize existing high-converting templates to match your brand and offering.
Final Thoughts: Is ClickFunnels Worth It?
ClickFunnels represents a considerable investment, but for many businesses, the benefit on that investment can be considerable. The platform’s strength lies in its ability to facilitate the complex process of creating effective sales funnels while providing the tools needed to cultivate leads and convert customers.
The decision ultimately revolves around your specific business needs, technical comfort level, and budget. If you’re intent on optimizing your online sales process and appreciate an all-in-one solution that doesn’t require technical expertise, ClickFunnels offers a convincing package-especially with the advanced capabilities of ClickFunnels 2.0.
For businesses that can budget for 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 consistently evolve, solving previous limitations and extending 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 worth the investment.