In today’s internet-driven economy, changing visitors to customers is the ultimate goal for all internet companies. This is where customer journey software becomes essential, and ClickFunnels remains one of the most established names in this sector.
Created by Russell Brunson in 2014, ClickFunnels has revolutionized the way companies and business owners approach online sales, striving to streamline the purchase process from initial interest to buying decision.
But is ClickFunnels a good value? Does it fulfill its potential? Whether you’re a established entrepreneur or new to online business, this comprehensive review will provide you with the complete picture you need to make an informed decision about ClickFunnels.
What Is ClickFunnels?
ClickFunnels is an unified marketing platform designed to help businesses design optimized sales funnels without the need for technical expertise or a team of developers. At its foundation, ClickFunnels allows users to create landing pages, make email sequences, handle payments, and administer customer relationships-all within a unified platform.
The Concept of Sales Funnels
Ahead of diving deeper into ClickFunnels, it’s essential to understand what a sales funnel is. A sales funnel represents the progression customers go through from first learning about your product or service to completing a transaction.
It typically includes parts like exposure, attention, deliberation, and action.
Typical web pages are often constructed without a defined route for visitors to take. This can cause high bounce rates and missed potential customers. Sales funnels, by contrast, are deliberately structured to steer visitors through a structured path, improving the likelihood of results at each step.
ClickFunnels’ Strategy
ClickFunnels has reduced complexity in the process of creating these funnels with its user-friendly editor and template templates. The platform’s methodology centers around not just developing web pages but creating impactful conversion paths that change visitors into customers and customers into repeat buyers.
Primary Elements of ClickFunnels
1. Funnel Designer
The core of ClickFunnels is its easy-to-use funnel builder. Users can decide between a variety of funnel types, including:
- Opt-in funnels: Built to collect email addresses
- Sales funnels: For retailing products or services
- Webinar funnels: To promote and register users for webinars
- Membership funnels: For membership products
The user-friendly interface makes it effortless to add features like text, images, videos, forms, and buttons without coding a single line of code.
2. Template Templates
ClickFunnels includes over numerous prepared templates for various industries and purposes. These templates, crafted by industry professionals, are created for success and can be personalized to match your brand.
3. A/B Testing
Knowing what appeals to your audience is critical for increasing conversions. ClickFunnels’ A/B testing function allows you to produce multiple versions of your pages and examine different elements to see which converts higher.
4. Email Campaigns
ClickFunnels includes email marketing capabilities, allowing you to design automated email sequences triggered by specific actions. This feature helps cultivate leads and push them further down the sales funnel.
5. Checkout System
The platform seamlessly integrates with payment processors like Stripe, PayPal, and others, permitting you to accept payments instantly through your funnels without redirecting customers to external sites.
6. Member Sections
For creators selling courses or subscription content, ClickFunnels offers the ability to create secure membership areas where users can access restricted content.
7. Data Analysis
ClickFunnels delivers in-depth analytics on funnel metrics, including page views, conversions, and earnings. These metrics help users refine their funnels for higher results.
8. Affiliate Management
If you have an affiliate program, ClickFunnels makes it effortless to administer your affiliates, monitor their performance, and distribute commission payments.
ClickFunnels 2.0: The Evolution
In 2022, ClickFunnels released its most major update: ClickFunnels 2.0. This new version signifies a complete rebuild of the platform with upgraded features and capabilities.
Enhancements in 2.0?
- Better Website Builder: A more comprehensive website builder that allows for complete website creation, not just funnels
- Advanced E-commerce Capabilities: Better product management, inventory tracking, and order fulfillment
- Blog Creation: The ability to develop and administer a blog directly within ClickFunnels
- Advanced Customization: More flexibility in design and functionality
- Enhanced User Interface: A more elegant dashboard and editor
- Efficiency Gains: Faster page loading times and better mobile responsiveness
- Advanced CRM Features: More powerful customer relationship management tools
The upgrade to 2.0 addresses many of the limitations users experienced with the original version, making it a more thorough marketing solution.
Cost Options
ClickFunnels provides different pricing tiers to match businesses of various sizes:
Entry-Level 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
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 includes:
- 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 Positives of Using ClickFunnels
1. Unified Solution
Perhaps the main advantage of ClickFunnels is that it combines multiple tools into one platform. Instead of juggling different services for landing pages, email marketing, payment processing, and membership sites, users can handle all these aspects in one place.
2. No Technical Background Required
The platform’s drag-and-drop interface eliminates the need for coding or design skills. This streamlines the funnel-building process, making it available to entrepreneurs without technical backgrounds.
3. Rapid Deployment
With pre-built templates and a efficient workflow, ClickFunnels significantly reduces the time needed to deploy a marketing campaign. What might take weeks with custom development can be finished in days or even hours.
4. Community and Support
ClickFunnels has built a engaged community of users who share 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. Proven Conversion Frameworks
The templates and funnel structures within ClickFunnels are built upon proven marketing principles and tested conversion strategies. This means users employ established best practices rather than starting from scratch.
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 systematic learning opportunities.
Downsides and Drawbacks
Despite its many strengths, ClickFunnels isn’t without limitations:
1. Cost
Starting at $147 per month, ClickFunnels represents a considerable investment, especially for one-person operations or startups with limited budgets. Many competitors offer more inexpensive entry-level options.
2. Training Requirement
While designed to be easy to use, mastering all of ClickFunnels’ features and understanding funnel strategy takes time and dedication. New users might feel overwhelmed by the platform’s capabilities.
3. Constrained Design Flexibility
Though the visual editor is capable, designers accustomed to more advanced tools might find it inflexible. The balance between simplicity and flexibility sometimes favors the former.
4. Page Response Time
Prior to 2.0, some users reported problems with page loading speed, which can diminish SEO and user experience. While ClickFunnels 2.0 has improved performance, optimizing for speed requires attention.
5. Email Marketing Boundaries
While ClickFunnels includes 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 fares against 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
Benefits:
- More budget-friendly entry point ($37/month)
- Strong focus on lead generation
- Excellent mobile-responsive designs
- Solid WordPress integration
Drawbacks:
- Less full-featured than ClickFunnels (primarily focuses on landing pages)
- Limited checkout and payment processing options
- No built-in email marketing
3. Unbounce
Positives:
- Advanced A/B testing capabilities
- Highly flexible design options
- Strong analytics and conversion intelligence
- More affordable starting point
Disadvantages:
- Primarily focused on landing pages rather than complete funnels
- No built-in payment processing
- Less intuitive for non-technical users
4. Systeme.io
Benefits:
- Significantly more affordable (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 comprehensive 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
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)
Strengths:
- 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 Should Use ClickFunnels?
ClickFunnels is particularly beneficial for:
1. Course Developers 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 straightforward to deliver content to paying customers.
2. Digital Sales Businesses
With ClickFunnels 2.0’s improved e-commerce features, online retailers can create effective product funnels that raise average order value through upsells, downsells, and order bumps.
3. Consulting Businesses
Experts, agencies, and service providers can use ClickFunnels to generate leads, book appointments, and sell service packages without complex website development.
4. Affiliate Marketers
The platform’s optimization for conversions makes it excellent for affiliate marketers looking to improve their commissions from promotional campaigns.
5. Writers and Content Creators
ClickFunnels provides effective book funnel templates that help authors offer books while obtaining reader information for long-term relationship building.
6. Technology Novice Entrepreneurs
Those without coding or design skills will appreciate ClickFunnels’ accessible interface and pre-built templates.
Who Should Consider Alternatives Elsewhere?
ClickFunnels may not be the perfect match for:
1. New Ventures 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 precise 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 bespoke solutions.
Beginning Your Journey with ClickFunnels: Tips for Success
If you decide to try ClickFunnels, here are some tips to enhance your experience:
1. Start with the Right Funnel Type
Opt for a funnel template that matches 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 effective funnel before moving on to the next.
3. Leverage the Training Resources
Take advantage of the comprehensive training materials, including ClickFunnels’ onboarding sequence and the FunnelFlix training library.
4. Join the Community
The ClickFunnels Facebook group provides beneficial insights and support from fellow users who can help address issues or suggest optimization strategies.
5. Experiment and Optimize
Use the A/B testing features to constantly refine your funnels based on actual user behavior and conversion data.
6. Start with Ready-made Templates
Rather than building from scratch, adapt 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 considerable. The platform’s strength lies in its ability to simplify the complex process of creating effective sales funnels while providing the tools needed to nurture leads and convert customers.
The decision ultimately depends on your specific business needs, technical comfort level, and budget. If you’re committed to optimizing your online sales process and prioritize 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 manage the monthly subscription and are serious about 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, tackling previous limitations and extending its capabilities to serve a broader range of marketing needs.
Whether you’re selling downloadable items, retail products, or consulting, ClickFunnels offers a simplified path from stranger to customer-and that, for many businesses, is warranted for the investment.