ClickFunnels has given the platform a makeover and increased its feature set.
I’ve tested all of them to give you my rundown of the best tools on the platform (and a few that need to improve).
Key Takeaways:
- All features are included in both pricing plans (starting from $97/month)
- The funnel and survey builders are some of its best features
- ClickFunnels lacks a fully-fledged website builder and native live-streaming
ClickFunnels Features: A Quick Overview
Recently, ClickFunnels has made some serious changes to its platform, revamped its pricing plans, and increased its feature set.
I, for one, am impressed because I feel that it now offers exceptional value compared to before.
Funnels and products are core features of the platform, and the rest have now been transformed into “apps.”
This means you can now add whichever features you need to your workspace and ignore the rest. I find this makes for a much more organized and uncluttered interface.
If you’re wondering what types of “apps” are available, here’s a quick rundown of what you can use:
| Feature | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Funnels | Funnel builder with multiple funnel types available as templates |
| Products | Create appealing products and bundles to sell |
| Send mass messages and campaigns to your list | |
| MessageHub | Live web chat widget |
| Payments AI | Payment tool allowing you to connect and manage multiple payment gateways simultaneously |
| Affiliate Center | Set up, run, and manage affiliate programs |
| Appointments | Scheduling and calendar tool |
| Countdown Funnels | Timed funnels for limited-time offers |
| Discounts | Set up and manage discounts and offers |
| Short Links | Shorten URLs and track performance |
| Analytics | All your campaign and customer data in one place |
| Automations | Set workflows to autopilot |
| Community | Build a community to increase customer engagement |
| Courses | Create learning products |
| Landing Pages | Build individual landing pages for specific offers or promotions |
| Site | Set up a central site for your business, including a blog |
| Store | Set up an e-commerce store for physical and/or digital products |
| Survey Workflows | Build quizzes and surveys to gain valuable insights |
| Opportunities | Create pipelines for tracking leads and revenue |
Both pricing plans (Startup and Pro) include ALL the features, and I love this because you no longer have to subscribe to the more expensive plans to access the full feature set.
8 ClickFunnels Features That I Highly Rate
As with all platforms, some features are better than others. So, here are the ones that I believe stand out on the platform.
1. Funnel Builder (Of Course!)
I couldn’t write this article without placing the ClickFunnels funnel builder at the top of the list!
This has long been the platform’s core feature, and nothing has changed in this respect except that it has improved.
The most recent update has brought refreshed funnel templates with loads to choose from. Most notably, the introduction of an e-commerce storefront and product funnels that make it simple to sell physical products.
Each template contains a series of training videos that help you understand how to use it properly.
Then, you have templates within templates! Each funnel type contains several designs, so you can pick the aesthetic that works for your business.
The funnel map screen is super easy to follow. To edit the pages, all you have to do is click on them. You can also add extra pages to your funnel, split conditional paths, and split A/B testing.
Funnels can be really complicated (if you’ve ever grappled with them, you’ll already know this!). However, the right tools make all the difference, and this is where I feel ClickFunnels shines.
2. Survey Builder
This is an excellent feature for generating decent lead data and audience insights. And it’s loads of fun to use!
The survey mapping screen gives you a visual way to build your surveys so you can understand how each path develops.
This gives you the ability to create complex paths with multiple outcomes. So, if you want to create a quiz that provides personalized answers such as “What sport should you play?” or “What’s your personality type?” you can easily achieve it using this feature.
3. Smart Checkout
The checkout feature can be found within the page editing tool for funnels and landing pages. It also allows you to embed a checkout form directly onto the page.
What makes it stand out is the huge range of customization options. For example, you can:
- Choose a one, two, or three-step checkout process
- Pick from a number of checkout templates and styles
- Add one-time offers, upgrades, downgrades, and order bumps
- Choose shipping and payment options
- Include different payment methods (one-time fee, payment plan, etc.)
- Add single products or multiple product options
- And more!
I’m also a fan of the repeat customer recognition feature, which reduces the amount of information the customer has to input for subsequent purchases.
This flexibility allows you to build checkouts that work for your intentions. Most crucially, the checkouts are designed to reduce friction for the customer and make it as easy as possible to complete the purchase.
4. Payments AI
Payments AI is essential if you want to start getting sales. However, it’s more than just a payment gateway.
The feature acts as a central hub for all your chosen payment gateways. Sure, you can use the native payment gateway, but you can also connect Stripe, PayPal, Klarna, and more.
Doing this lets you view all transactions across all gateways in one place and removes the need to log into each one to view the data.
Those on the Pro plan can also opt to use the automation rules feature. This automatically selects the best payment gateway for each transaction and allows you to optimize discounts, subscriptions, and more.
Keep in mind that the automation rules feature is not free, though, and costs 5% of every transaction.
5. Messenger Hub
The Message Hub is a new feature currently in beta mode. It provides a central place for you to read and respond to all your customer messages.
It integrates with text, email, and social media messaging and gives you a single interface for using all three.
Although the process for connecting them is not as straightforward as it could be (you have to set up and use webhooks), it’s still a handy feature that brings more convenience and better customer service.
It’s also possible to connect the feature with OpenAI and set up automations so you can respond to queries even when you’re asleep!
6. Automated Workflows
Isn’t it nice when someone or something does the hard work for you?
I’m impressed by the revamped automated feature in ClickFunnels. The visual mapping screen is easy to follow and use, and you can set up a huge range of automations.
As you can see in my example, it only takes a few clicks to create a workflow. And, they can be a lot more complex than mine with split paths and multiple outcomes.
Additionally, when using the platform’s other features, you get the opportunity to add “quick actions.” These are small automations consisting of a single trigger and an event. Just look for the lightning bolt to add them.
For instance, I’ve added an automation where a customer who has purchased my course gets automatically enrolled in a community.
All quick actions can be viewed in the Workflows app so you can clearly see what you’ve set up.
7. Link Shortener
This cool little feature lets you shorten URL links to something more concise.
Yes, there are free tools out there that do the same job, but I like that you can do it from within the ClickFunnels platform.
There are extra features, too. For example, you can add pixel codes to track user behavior. You can also leverage split testing here by sending traffic from the same URL to two different destinations.
Why shorten URLs in the first place?
Well, they make your content easier to share. Shortened links are more memorable and aesthetically pleasing.
For example, if someone shares your sales page on social media, a URL with ten characters will look way more professional (and legit) than several dozen.
8. Calendar and Scheduling App
This is one of the platform’s newest features, and not all of its capabilities have been released yet.
Essentially, you can connect with multiple external calendars (Google, iCloud, Office365, etc) and sync them. Then, you can set up and schedule appointments from within ClickFunnels, which will automatically update your external calendars.
What makes this feature interesting is that you can set up different types of appointments:
- One-on-one sessions (one host, one attendee)
- Collective sessions (multiple hosts, one attendee)
- Round robin (rotating hosts, one attendee)
We can also see that a group session (one host, multiple attendees) is also on its way, which will allow you to schedule and run live webinars.
The scheduling options are detailed with the ability to factor in buffer time in between sessions as well as customized start times.
However, what really stands out is the ability to request and take payments upfront.
This is game-changing because it commits people to attending your session and vastly reduces no-shows or cancellations. Besides, even if you do get a no-show, it won’t matter because you have already been paid!
4 ClickFunnels Features That Need Improvement
1. Communities
Okay, so while it’s a good thing that ClickFunnels has introduced a community feature onto its platform, don’t hold your breath or get too excited.
The reality is that it’s a dud (so far).
There’s barely any customization, and all you can do is post and respond to posts. You can connect it to your courses which adds value by giving a place for students to engage, but as a standalone feature, it pretty much sucks.
It’s new, though, so fingers crossed it improves soon.
2. Website Builder
I don’t quite get the purpose of the website builder because it’s not actually a website builder.
It simply serves as a central “site” with which to attach all your sales funnels, landing pages, and so on. As such, there are no page templates for things like the homepage, about you page, or anything else you’d expect to find on a website.
Although you can create these pages, it’s going to take longer because you’ll have to do it from scratch.
I feel like ClickFunnels is missing a trick here because doesn’t everyone need a real website?
3. Course Builder
If your course is mostly based on video content, then you likely won’t see any issues with this feature.
For me, the lack of options stands out.
I’ve extensively reviewed and explored most course-building platforms, and ClickFunnels is lagging behind in this respect.
You’re essentially limited to adding images, video files, and audio files. There’s no option to upload supporting files.
Also, you build the pages like a website by adding sections. This would be fine if all the templates weren’t the same ones used for funnels.
Using them made it feel like I was building a sales page or funnel, not a serious learning product. Editing these pages to transform them into a complete learning product will take significant time and effort.
4. Native Livestreaming (or Lack Thereof)
I don’t understand platforms that claim you can run webinars but don’t provide native tools for the job. Having to integrate with a live stream tool just adds extra complications and the potential for things to go wrong.
ClickFunnels is one of these platforms. It has webinar funnels but no tools for actually running the webinars.
Maybe I’m nitpicking here, but if hosting live sessions or coaching is your thing, a native live stream tool is a must.
Bottom Line: Are ClickFunnels’ Features Worth It?
I think ClickFunnels has done a great job upgrading its platform and introducing new and improved features. So, yes, overall, I do think the platform is worth it.
There are some exceptions, though. If you’re an online educator, better platforms are out there for the job. Kajabi, for example, has an excellent course builder and native live streaming.
And, if you want a “complete” website, you’ll have a superior experience elsewhere (WordPress, Square, etc).
But, for running campaigns, offers, sales, etc. I believe the ClickFunnels’ features are among the best out there and very reasonably priced.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ClickFunnels an All-In-One Platform?
Yes, ClickFunnels can be considered an all-in-one platform. Though it may be necessary to use a third-party app in some circumstances, it’s perfectly feasible to set up and run a business solely through using ClickFunnels.
Are All ClickFunnels Features Included in the Cheapest Pricing Plan?
Yes! All ClickFunnels features are included in the Startup plan. The only difference between this one and the Pro plan is the number of workspaces and team members you can add (Startup = 3 of each, Pro = 10 of each).
