In the current online business landscape, turning prospects into buyers is the key focus for every e-commerce venture. This is where customer journey software shows its worth, and ClickFunnels exists as one of the most established names in this sector.
Started by Russell Brunson in 2014, ClickFunnels has reimagined the way companies and business owners execute online sales, aiming to optimize the user experience from discovery to conversion.
But is ClickFunnels a good value? Does it match its claims? Whether you’re a marketing professional or building your business from scratch, this thorough review will provide you with all the details you need to make an calculated decision about ClickFunnels.
Defining ClickFunnels?
ClickFunnels is an unified marketing platform created to help businesses design optimized sales funnels without calling for technical expertise or a team of developers. At its center, ClickFunnels allows users to develop landing pages, make email sequences, process payments, and handle customer relationships-all within a one platform.
The Principle 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 becoming aware of your product or service to converting.
It typically includes steps like visibility, attention, consideration, and conversion.
Regular sites are often created without a structured journey for visitors to follow. This can lead to high bounce rates and missed potential customers. Sales funnels, alternatively, are purposefully created to direct visitors through a structured path, raising the likelihood of conversion at each step.
ClickFunnels’ Strategy
ClickFunnels has streamlined the process of creating these funnels with its intuitive editor and ready-made templates. The platform’s concept centers around not just creating web pages but creating high-converting conversion paths that transition visitors into customers and customers into dedicated followers.
Primary Elements of ClickFunnels
1. Funnel Construction Kit
The center of ClickFunnels is its user-friendly funnel builder. Users can pick a variety of funnel types, including:
- Opt-in funnels: Developed to collect email addresses
- Sales funnels: For offering products or services
- Webinar funnels: To boost and register users for webinars
- Membership funnels: For continuity products
The intuitive interface makes it uncomplicated to add items like text, images, videos, forms, and buttons without typing a single line of code.
2. Pre-built Templates
ClickFunnels features over numerous pre-designed templates for diverse industries and purposes. These templates, created by experienced designers, are designed for success and can be adjusted to match your brand.
3. Comparative Testing
Recognizing what works for your audience is essential for enhancing conversions. ClickFunnels’ A/B testing tool allows you to create multiple versions of your pages and analyze different elements to see which converts higher.
4. Email Campaigns
ClickFunnels incorporates email marketing capabilities, allowing you to build automated email sequences activated by specific actions. This feature helps develop leads and guide them further down the sales funnel.
5. Payment Processing
The platform flawlessly integrates with payment processors like various payment gateways, facilitating you to accept payments instantly through your funnels without shifting customers to external sites.
6. Membership Areas
For entrepreneurs selling courses or subscription content, ClickFunnels features the ability to create protected membership areas where members can access exclusive content.
7. Analytics and Reporting
ClickFunnels delivers thorough analytics on funnel effectiveness, including page views, conversions, and earnings. These insights help users perfect their funnels for better results.
8. Affiliate Tracking
If you have an affiliate program, ClickFunnels makes it uncomplicated to oversee your affiliates, track 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 embodies a complete reconstruction of the platform with enhanced features and capabilities.
Upgrades in 2.0?
- Upgraded 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 maintain a blog directly within ClickFunnels
- Enhanced Customization: More options in design and functionality
- Refined User Interface: A cleaner dashboard and editor
- Technical Improvements: Faster page loading times and better mobile responsiveness
- Advanced CRM Features: More comprehensive customer relationship management tools
The upgrade to 2.0 fixes many of the limitations users experienced with the original version, making it a more complete marketing solution.
Price Plans
ClickFunnels offers different pricing tiers to match businesses of various sizes:
Standard Plan
The Basic plan (now called the “Standard” plan in ClickFunnels 2.0) costs $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 features:
- 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 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 assess the platform before paying financially.
The Benefits of Using ClickFunnels
1. All-In-One Solution
Perhaps the primary advantage of ClickFunnels is that it integrates multiple tools into one platform. Instead of coordinating 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 user-friendly interface does away with the need for coding or design skills. This streamlines the funnel-building process, making it accessible to entrepreneurs without technical backgrounds.
3. Quick Setup
With ready-made templates and a simplified workflow, ClickFunnels significantly cuts the time needed to deploy a marketing campaign. What might take weeks with custom development can be done in days or even hours.
4. Support Network
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 useful resource for marketers at all levels. Additionally, the platform offers complete documentation, tutorials, and responsive customer support.
5. Validated Conversion Frameworks
The templates and funnel structures within ClickFunnels are created from proven marketing principles and tested conversion strategies. This means users utilize established best practices rather than beginning anew.
6. Learning Materials
Beyond the software itself, ClickFunnels offers a variety of educational resources. Russell Brunson’s books, such as “DotCom Secrets” and “Expert Secrets,” provide insightful marketing insights, while the ClickFunnels training programs offer organized learning opportunities.
Weaknesses and Drawbacks
Despite its many positives, ClickFunnels isn’t without limitations:
1. Cost
Starting at $147 per month, ClickFunnels represents a significant investment, especially for freelancers or startups with limited budgets. Many competitors offer more economical entry-level options.
2. Learning Curve
While designed to be accessible, mastering all of ClickFunnels’ features and understanding funnel strategy takes time and dedication. New users might feel challenged by the platform’s capabilities.
3. Restricted Design Flexibility
Though the intuitive editor is robust, designers accustomed to more advanced tools might find it constraining. The balance between simplicity and flexibility sometimes favors the former.
4. Page Load Time
Prior to 2.0, some users reported concerns 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 features email marketing features, they’re not as robust as dedicated email marketing platforms. Power users might still need additional tools for elaborate email campaigns.
ClickFunnels Contenders: How They Compare
The sales funnel and landing page builder market has become increasingly competitive. Here’s how ClickFunnels stands up to its main competitors:
1. Kartra
Strengths relative to ClickFunnels:
- More extensive 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
Positives:
- More budget-friendly entry point ($37/month)
- Strong focus on lead generation
- Excellent mobile-responsive designs
- Solid WordPress integration
Shortcomings:
- Less full-featured than ClickFunnels (primarily focuses on landing pages)
- Limited checkout and payment processing options
- No built-in email marketing
3. Unbounce
Strong points:
- Advanced A/B testing capabilities
- Highly versatile 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 easy for non-technical users
4. Systeme.io
Benefits:
- Significantly more inexpensive (starting at $27/month, with a free plan available)
- All-in-one solution similar to ClickFunnels
- Simple, intuitive interface
Drawbacks:
- Fewer templates and design options
- Less advanced 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
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)
Benefits:
- 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 well-suited for:
1. Digital Educators and Coaches
The platform is perfect for 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. E-commerce Businesses
With ClickFunnels 2.0’s enhanced e-commerce features, online retailers can create effective product funnels that boost average order value through upsells, downsells, and order bumps.
3. Consulting Businesses
Experts, 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 suitable for affiliate marketers looking to maximize their commissions from promotional campaigns.
5. Publishers and Content Creators
ClickFunnels provides effective book funnel templates that help authors sell books while securing reader information for long-term relationship building.
6. Design-Inexperienced Entrepreneurs
Those without coding or design skills will welcome ClickFunnels’ simple interface and pre-built templates.
Who Should Consider Alternatives Elsewhere?
ClickFunnels may not be the right option for:
1. Small Businesses with Limited Budgets
The monthly investment might be costly 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 fitting, though ClickFunnels 2.0 has made improvements in this area.
3. Professional Designers Seeking Complete Creative Control
Those who require flawless 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 specialized solutions.
Getting Started 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
Pick a funnel template that suits your specific goal, whether it’s lead generation, product sales, or webinar registration.
2. Concentrate on 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 comprehensive training materials, including ClickFunnels’ onboarding sequence and the FunnelFlix training library.
4. Engage with the Community
The ClickFunnels Facebook group provides beneficial insights and support from fellow users who can help resolve issues or suggest optimization strategies.
5. Try and Optimize
Use the A/B testing features to consistently refine your funnels based on actual user behavior and conversion data.
6. Start with Existing Templates
Rather than building from scratch, alter existing high-converting templates to match your brand and offering.
Conclusion: Is ClickFunnels Worth It?
ClickFunnels represents a major investment, but for many businesses, the reward 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 cultivate leads and convert customers.
The decision ultimately depends on your specific business needs, technical comfort level, and budget. If you’re serious about 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 afford the monthly subscription and are committed to implementing effective sales funnels, ClickFunnels provides both the tools and the strategic framework to excel in today’s competitive digital landscape. The platform consistently evolve, solving previous limitations and increasing its capabilities to serve a broader range of marketing needs.
Whether you’re selling downloadable items, items, or services, ClickFunnels offers a optimized path from stranger to customer-and that, for many businesses, is worth the investment.