ClickFunnels vs. Shopify starting an online business is a great way to reach customers, build brand awareness, and grow sales. Two popular platforms for building online stores are ClickFunnels and Shopify, each with its unique features and benefits. However, these platforms serve different needs and target different types of online sellers. In this article, we’ll explore ClickFunnels and Shopify in detail, compare their pricing, features, and advantages, and help you decide which one is best for your business.
ClickFunnels is primarily a funnel-building platform, designed to guide potential customers through a carefully crafted sales process. Entrepreneurs use ClickFunnels to create sales pages, set up upsell offers, and build customer journeys that lead directly to purchases. On the other hand, Shopify is a full-featured e-commerce platform that allows you to showcase and sell a variety of products. It offers the essentials for managing an online store, like product listings, payment processing, and order fulfillment. Knowing what each platform offers can help you choose the one that will best meet your business needs.
Cost Comparison: ClickFunnels vs. Shopify
ClickFunnels Pricing:
ClickFunnels starts at $97 per month for the basic plan and goes up to $297 per month for advanced options with more features. While it offers a lot for businesses focused on sales funnels, the cost can be high, especially for new businesses with limited budgets. However, ClickFunnels does provide a 14-day free trial, allowing you to explore the platform before committing to a plan.
Shopify Pricing:
Shopify’s pricing begins at $29 per month, which is considerably more affordable than ClickFunnels. Shopify also offers higher-tier plans, including the $79 per month “Shopify” plan and the $299 per month “Advanced Shopify” plan. Shopify’s lower starting price makes it an attractive choice for businesses that need a full online store with product listings and shopping cart features. There’s also a 3-day free trial period to test the platform.
Key Features: ClickFunnels vs. Shopify
Sales Funnels with ClickFunnels:
ClickFunnels is built specifically for businesses looking to guide customers through a sales funnel. With templates for landing pages, sales pages, and checkout pages, ClickFunnels makes it easy to convert website visitors into paying customers. It’s particularly useful for businesses that sell limited products or services that benefit from a customized sales journey. Users can create multiple funnels for different products and can even add upsells to encourage larger purchases.
E-commerce Store with Shopify:
Shopify is a comprehensive e-commerce platform that allows businesses to sell multiple products in an organized online store. Shopify’s templates are designed for displaying products with descriptions, prices, and photos. It offers everything from inventory management to payment processing, making it an all-in-one solution for a complete online store. Shopify also has powerful SEO tools to help businesses rank well in search engines, attracting more customers to their site.
Customer Support: ClickFunnels vs. Shopify
ClickFunnels Support:
ClickFunnels provides email and chat support, though responses may be limited to business hours. This can be a drawback for business owners who need support on weekends or evenings. However, ClickFunnels offers an extensive collection of tutorials and documentation to help users navigate its features.
Shopify Support:
Shopify is known for its strong customer support. It provides 24/7 assistance via phone, email, and chat, which is ideal for entrepreneurs who may need help during non-business hours. Shopify also offers a robust help center, community forum, and video tutorials, making it easy to find answers to common questions.
Social Media Integration and Marketing Tools
Both ClickFunnels and Shopify allow you to integrate with social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. This is important for driving traffic and boosting visibility for your products. ClickFunnels provides a range of marketing tools for tracking the success of your sales funnels, including A/B testing, lead capture, and conversion tracking. Shopify also offers marketing features, such as email marketing integrations, SEO tools, and the ability to create discount codes and promotions to attract more customers.
Storage and Data Limits
Both platforms offer unlimited storage, which is a big advantage for businesses with many products, images, or data requirements. Having unlimited storage means you don’t have to worry about running out of space or slowing down your site due to storage limitations. This makes both ClickFunnels and Shopify reliable platforms for growing businesses.
Pros and Cons of ClickFunnels and Shopify
Pros of ClickFunnels:
- Ideal for creating sales funnels that lead customers through a purchasing process.
- Provides upsell and cross-sell options to increase order values.
- Templates for landing pages and checkout make setup easy for sales-focused businesses.
Cons of ClickFunnels:
- Higher starting price can be a drawback for businesses on a budget.
- Limited customer support outside of business hours.
Pros of Shopify:
- Affordable starting price and tiered pricing make it accessible for most businesses.
- Comprehensive e-commerce tools make it easy to manage products, inventory, and orders.
- 24/7 customer support with various contact options.
Cons of Shopify:
- Not ideal for businesses that want to create sales funnels or pitch-based selling.
- Shorter free trial (3 days) compared to ClickFunnels’ 14-day trial.
Conclusion
Choosing between ClickFunnels and Shopify ultimately depends on your business’s goals and selling approach. ClickFunnels is an excellent choice for businesses focused on selling a limited range of products with a strong emphasis on guiding customers through a sales journey. It’s ideal for creating compelling, upsell-driven funnels that help increase sales with fewer products. However, it may not be the best option for a business looking to build a full online store with multiple products and categories.
On the other hand, Shopify is built for businesses that want a full online storefront where customers can easily browse through products. Its affordable starting price, 24/7 customer support, and extensive e-commerce features make it a popular choice for small and medium-sized businesses. Shopify is best for entrepreneurs who want to manage a full inventory and sell multiple products while having the flexibility to process payments and manage orders efficiently.
Ultimately, ClickFunnels works well for a focused, funnel-based approach to sales, while Shopify is ideal for entrepreneurs aiming to build a traditional online store. Whichever platform you choose, understanding your business model and how you want to sell will guide you toward the best platform for your e-commerce success.
FAQs
Q: What’s the main difference between ClickFunnels and Shopify?
A: ClickFunnels is designed for sales funnels, guiding customers through a sales journey, while Shopify is a full e-commerce platform for online stores with multiple products.
Q: Is ClickFunnels more expensive than Shopify?
A: Yes, ClickFunnels starts at $97 per month, while Shopify’s basic plan is $29 per month, making it more budget-friendly.
Q: Does Shopify have better customer support than ClickFunnels?
A: Yes, Shopify provides 24/7 support through phone, chat, and email, while ClickFunnels’ support is more limited.
Q: Can I use ClickFunnels to sell multiple products like I can on Shopify?
A: ClickFunnels is best for selling a few products with upsell options. Shopify is better for stores with many products.Q: Which platform offers a better free trial?
A: ClickFunnels offers a 14-day trial, while Shopify provides a 3-day trial, so ClickFunnels has a longer trial period.