ClickFunnels for Dummies & Beginners in 2023 (Getting Started 101)

ClickFunnels for Dummies

Looking to get started with ClickFunnels but no idea how?

No worries.

This guide is all about how a total beginner without any idea about ClickFunnels (and funnels in general) can get started RIGHT, this year.

I can still remember vividly back in 2018 when I was struggling to make a living online. It had been over a year I graduated, and no job was coming forth.

After trying a ton of business opportunities to survive, the only hope I had was to make a living off my blog.

Fast forward to a few months later, I got to discover ClickFunnels.

The story has changed ever since.

Been over 2 years now and my life has transformed from a struggling beginner based in Nigeria to a successful online marketer making impacts and living life on my own terms.

ClickFunnels played a huge role in this.

A sizeable portion of my online business is built around ClickFunnels.

Especially on the affiliate side of things.

Now, let us get into the meaty part of this guide…

Starting with:

What Is ClickFunnels

ClickFunnels

Performing a simple search on what is ClickFunnels, you’re likely to find hundreds or even thousands of definitions online.

But the simplest definition by ClickFunnels themselves is:

ClickFunnels is a website and funnel builder that helps businesses sell their products and services online.

While that’s the definition of ClickFunnels in a nutshell. There’s actually more to what a beginner with no clue or funnel knowledge can exploit using ClickFunnels.

  • Promote it as an affiliate
  • You can sell courses with ClickFunnels
  • Host webinars and online events
  • Offer funnel building services
  • Sell physical products or do dropshipping
  • Sell coaching and consultations

And lots more…

As this software doesn’t just begin and end with building websites and sales funnels. More on this next…

Before we delve into the different ways a beginner can get started and make money with ClickFunnels – let me show you how the ClickFunnels tool works.

ClickFunnels for Dummies – How Does ClickFunnels Works?

ClickFunnels funnel creator and designer

To build your pages and funnels using ClickFunnels software, it starts with identifying the goals you wish to achieve with the platform:

Goal #1. Generate leads or build a list of potential buyers

The entry point of virtually every online business starts with lead generation.

And this is the ideal starting point of marketing funnels.

Basically, it’s a simple web page that collects visitors’ contact details, so they can be nurtured and converted to customers.

ClickFunnels has already provided you with hundreds of these web pages and free copies to go along with.

These pages are called squeeze pages, lead funnels, and application funnels.

On the front end you give out an incentive (lead magnet), then follow-up at the backend with your paid services or products.

Here is a sample of the squeeze page funnel:

  • Funnel #1: Vintage
Squeeze page funnel template

Funnel download link: https://app.clickfunnels.com/funnels/10187682/share/joul11vjaazrf8k5

Goal #2. Generate sales

You convert sales online via a sales page, checkout page, or product launch page.

If your goal is to generate sales straight out of the gate, then you can build a highly converting sales page on ClickFunnels.

These also are the pages you send your leads to when they’re ready to buy.

It can be a:

  • Tripwire funnel: for lower-priced products (Read more on Tripwire funnels)
  • Sales letter funnel: for higher-priced products that requires a lengthy explanation
  • Product launch funnel: for launching brand-new products or services

Here are samples of funnels used in generating sales:

Tripwire funnel download link: https://app.clickfunnels.com/funnels/10179058/share/c28u2m81qsibi7xd

Product launch funnel (PLF) download link: https://app.clickfunnels.com/funnels/10072140/share/nojv9hslyabkpz18

Goal #3. Run an online event

Events can be a virtual summit or a webinar presentation aimed at helping you educate your audience, and sell your products to them after getting value from it.

On ClickFunnels you can run both live and evergreen/automated events to acquire leads and build trust.

Of course, there are hundreds of FREE funnels to use inside of ClickFunnels.

Here is an event/webinar funnel sample:

Autowebinar funnel download link: https://app.clickfunnels.com/funnels/7904858/share/z829cndp58w28hs1

Those are the three goals within ClickFunnels you can decide to run with while getting started on ClickFunnels ClickFunnels as a beginner.

Now, we’re going to look into how to use ClickFunnels and make money from it as a starter.

ClickFunnels for Dummies: How do I use it?

When I first got into ClickFunnels, I had no idea what I was doing neither did fully understood what it does.

In my mind, I thought it was a platform to make money online without much work, so did thousands of people.

Blame it on a few marketers that marketed it the wrong way.

It took me a while to realize that ClickFunnels is a software that works for marketers who understands what it does and how to use it in growing their businesses.

Not long after I realized this, I began seeing success, little by little with it.

Here are my two favorite ways to use ClickFunnels to make money as a beginner:

#1: Use ClickFunnels to sell your existing offline business or expertise

Let’s say you run any type of offline business, selling products or services in the offline world.

business open sign

Then you can bring that online to get unlimited exposure, more customers, and more sales on autopilot using the power of funnels and marketing automation.

While it’s very easy and set up a traditional website these days for your business – it does not in any way help you define your goals, collect leads, follow-up, and make sales.

All from one end.

This is where the sales funnel rocks.

With ClickFunnels and all the tools built into it – you can have a streamlined sales process developed in minutes to generate leads and customers for your products.

As a ClickFunnels beginner, I’d advise you to take the One Funnel Away Challenge (how I started) and see how to implement funnels into your offline business.

>> Enroll here

If you already run an online business of any sort and looking to incorporate ClickFunnels into your marketing stack and strategy…

Then you’re still on the right track.

After grabbing your free trial of ClickFunnels, you choose how to want to sell your products with the platform.

It could be through:

  • Webinars
  • Dropshipping
  • Info products
  • Creating membership sites and subscription products

Whatever.

Here are a few guides on different industries on how beginners can get started on ClickFunnels:

You name it…

#2. Start promoting ClickFunnels as an affiliate

This was the very way I started making money with ClickFunnels.

As someone with no product or services to sell, I had no choice back then but to learn, master, and promote the software as an affiliate.

Getting started as a ClickFunnels beginner in the affiliate marketing world:

First, get your ClickFunnels affiliate links here and take the affiliate Bootcamp course…

The affiliate Bootcamp would help you grasp the different strategies involved in promoting ClickFunnels and any other affiliate product you’re interested in.

The affiliate Bootcamp is on my list of favorite affiliate courses.

And it’s free to enroll. Unlike many advanced affiliate marketing courses.

>> Enroll Here

Personally, I use content marketing via blogging and SEO to promote ClickFunnels and a little mix of funnels.

If you’re not the blogging or writing type, you can do produce ClickFunnels or sales funnels related videos on YouTube to promote your affiliate links.

Then complement using ClickFunnels itself for affiliate marketing.

Here are free affiliate marketing funnels you download straight into your ClickFunnels account:

  • Affiliate funnel #1:

Download link: https://app.clickfunnels.com/funnels/10382782/share/r03uoc7o1k0v6zf4

  • Affiliate funnel #2:

Download link: https://app.clickfunnels.com/funnels/10332371/share/x2bcjmx3w0by4q9h

  • Affiliate Funnel #3:

Download link: https://app.clickfunnels.com/funnels/10382780/share/ws5opvg4yg2vlnyv

Note: You must have an active ClickFunnels account for those funnels to be loaded into your ClickFunnels account.

ClickFunnels for Beginners: Frequently asked Questions

What is ClickFunnels and how does it work?

ClickFunnels an all-in-one marketing system that helps entrepreneurs build marketing funnels, generate leads, handle automation, create memberships, manage affiliates, process payments make sales, and increase conversions in their businesses.

Is ClickFunnels easy to use?

From my experience – and as someone with no technical knowledge – I found ClickFunnels easier to use than the majority of the marketing platforms I’ve used in the past.

Is ClickFunnels worth the money?

The Starter plan costs $97 per month while the Platinum package costs $297 per month.

I agree, these plans look expensive for a total beginner, but it all depends on what you’re looking to achieve with the software.

If you’re to tear all the inbuilt tools apart and integrate them into your business, you’d be paying over $1,000 in a monthly subscription.

Is there an annual plan for ClickFunnels?

Besides having a yearly plan, there’s a discount package. Click here.

When you purchase or upgrade to the ClickFunnels yearly plan, you’re going to get 2 months free of the software.

Basically, you’d be paying for 10 months instead of 12. Plus, priority video support throughout the year.

How do I get started with ClickFunnels?

Getting started with ClickFunnels requires you to get the free 14days trial to start building your sales funnel.

Can you make money with ClickFunnels?

Yes, only, and only if you have a business to build on it.

Who needs ClickFunnels?

Business owners who need to market, sell, and deliver their products online without hassle using sales funnels.

Do I need a website for ClickFunnels?

No, you don’t.

Every page and funnel built with ClickFunnels is already a website. Just that they’re the type of websites that are designed to guide and take visitors from the awareness stage to the purchase stage.

Is ClickFunnels a pyramid scheme?

ClickFunnels is not a pyramid scheme nor an MLM company. It is a marketing platform that enables marketers to grow their company online using sales funnels. Founded by Russell Brunson and Todd Dickerson under their parent company Etison LLC.

What is better than ClickFunnels?

You might want to check out Kartra and GrooveFunnels.

Those are the two closest competitors to ClickFunnels at the moment. But not better in my opinion.

Is there a free version of ClickFunnels?

No there is no free version of ClickFunnels anywhere that I’m aware of.

You can get the 14days trial and get it extended to a 30days trial when you reach out to support or have a failed payment details.

How do I sell my product on ClickFunnels?

First, you pick your funnel goal:

ClickFunnels Build 1
  • Collect emails
  • Sell products
  • Host webinar

Then you pick from the library of funnel templates related to your goal.

Followed by customization of the template to suit your branding and business, integrate your payment gateways, autoresponder, add your product, test your funnel, and launch by driving traffic.

How do I cancel ClickFunnels?

Within your ClickFunnels account, click on your account settings and click “cancel my account”.

Does ClickFunnels integrate with PayPal?

Yes, ClickFunnels does integrate with the PayPal payment gateway to enable you to accept and process payments from your funnels.

How do I use ClickFunnels for affiliate marketing?

To get started using ClickFunnels for affiliate marketing, you find a lucrative affiliate offer, choose a funnel template, get a traffic source, and start producing helpful content.

Do you need a ClickFunnels account to be an affiliate?

No, you don’t need an active ClickFunnels account to become an affiliate.

However, I’d recommend you get familiar with the platform during your free 14days trial period here.

Is ClickFunnels good for affiliate marketing?

Absolutely!

So far, in my career as an affiliate marketer, ClickFunnels remains my favorite and the easiest to use the platform to build affiliate funnels and landing pages.

Final Thoughts on ClickFunnels for Dummies

I hope you found this ClickFunnels for beginners guide useful to help you kickstart your ClickFunnels and sales funnel journey?

If you need further help or clarity mastering ClickFunnels, the below resources are what I recommend:

Have questions?

Drop them below!