ClickBank University
Overall Ranking: 85 out of 100
Price: $47/mo, $97 one time, $329-$988/yr
Owners: Adam Horwitz and Justin Atlan
Website: www.clickbank.com
Introduction: What is ClickBank University?
ClickBank University is a training program to teach someone how to create their own digital product, how to market that product, and how to build out an affiliate program for that product to recruit and support affiliate marketers to sell your product.
Pros vs. Cons
Pros
- PDFs also available with most Video trainings
- Weekly live webinar classes
- Have a streamlined, quick and to the point, process to get you up and running
- ClickBank Builder(this is relatively new, but AWESOME!)
Cons
- no FREE trial period(if there is one, they make it really hard to find bc I looked everywhere)
- up sales video right after you click “submit payment” that you can’t skip
- There is no step by step, hold your hand training, in any of the courses
- The training is very high level, more of an overview
- You don’t get access to all the training right away, even after you pay an extra $97 for the advanced training!!!
- There is a 60 day money back guarantee…but it’s questionable(more on this below)
- ClickBank’s Policies are questionable
Who is ClickBank University For….and Who it is Not For?
First, who is ClickBank for?
If you are a veteran of affiliate marketing and have already made money consistently and are now looking to keep the majority of profits for yourself by creating your own product, then ClickBank is definitely for you.
If you have a budget of at least $500/month but preferably $1000/mo or more and you already have a product in mind to create, than ClickBank is DEFINITELY for you. Why do I say this? Remember this is a business.
If you are intending to get off the ground as fast as their training videos say because, and I quote from the owner Adam, “money loves speed,” then you need to have the ClickBank Builder Tool, the Advanced Training, all the tools and other software they recommend, and the ability to pay for PPC and other types of paid advertising.
By the way, in no way was the above paragraph, a bash on ClickBank. They do have a very Streamlined process for what I just mentioned. Again, remember this is a business! There are very few businesses out there that you can start for the price mentioned above. It is almost like you are buying into a franchise, but with the ability to have your own flexibility i.e. your own product, sales page, sales funnel and so on.
Now, who is it not for?
If you have just started on this journey of Online Marketing, i.e. you have no website, you don’t know how to blog and SEO, you are not sure what an autoresponder is, you don’t know what a squeeze page is or capture page, you don’t know what a sales funnel is, then this is not for you.
Even if you have been on the journey for awhile but only know what some of those words above mean, then this is still not for you. If your goal is to be an Affiliate Marketer and NOT create your own product, then this is DEFINITELY NOT for you. I will explain more in detail of why that is.
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ClickBank University’s Training and Tools
Training
- Affiliates Training
- Advanced Training
- Vendor Training
- Weekly Live Recorded Webinars Called Classes
The training is not horrible but it’s not the best either. I try to look at the training through the beginner’s eyes. Heck, it was just 2 years ago that I was that person my self. I wanted, no needed, someone or something, or both, to provide a step by step process, almost hand holding, to get me going. I was very technically challenged but already had the drive(you can read more on my About Me page).
I went through all of ClickBank’s Affiliates training and while the videos are very high quality and have lots and lots of energy behind them, the training gave me more of an overview of what needs to be done vs. showing me a step by step example of them setting up an actual affiliate site up for them selves. I really was left wanting more, and from a beginner’s eye, still feeling lost.
I went through week 2 of the Vendor training as well. I will tell you why only week 2 in just a minute. The Vendor training while still a bit of an overview, did have a little more meat to it. I can tell this is where ClickBank’s sweet spot is for sure! Each training video does also come with a downloadable PDF which I think is great to be able to come back for reference at a future date. Combine the Vendor training with ClickBank’s Builder and you will have a powerful combination!
The reason why I have only gotten through week 2 of the Vendor training is because ClickBank has locked certain trainings off and they are on a timer delay. They only come available after you have been a “paying member” for a certain number of days.
ClickBank says it’s for “my” benefit, but if this is “my” business, OR IS IT, and I am a paying member, than to me that just doesn’t sit right. At this point in my training, I was starting to feel like this is sketchy.
Even after I paid an additional $97 for the Advanced Training, the trainings were still locked and so is my Advanced training. (insert image) I can some what understand for true beginners why they would lock training but for Advance? I’m mean, isn’t that why you are “Advanced?” Now ClickBank just seemed like they were trying to get more money out of me versus providing me value.
Tools
There are not too many tools really that ClickBank provides, but does amount of tools equal good, or is it the quality of the tool they provide!? I believe it is the latter.
Their biggest advantage and greatest tool, in my opinion, is their ClickBank Builder. To be able to get your product streamlined into a website, then a sales video, through a sales funnel, and thank you page, and most importantly merchant services and making sure you get paid.
ClickBank really goes the second mile here, the whole nine yards and then some. To do all the above takes a lot of money and even more time to put it all together and make sure it works properly.
Click below to see how the ClickBank Builder works. The video is just under 5 min, but if you are looking to create your own product and be a Vendor then you really need to watch this! If not, then you can skip it.
What Kind of Support Does ClickBank University Offer?
Again, if you are a beginner affiliate marketer and need some hand holding than the support that I have seen thus far, is not for you. If you are looking at this from a Vendor’s point of view, this is definitely where ClickBank falls short in my opinion.
There are many comments under different trainings that just go unanswered. Although, they do have a Facebook group specifically for the University, even questions go unanswered here as well. To give credit though, you can connect with Justin Atlas on Facebook and he posts there quite often, and I have seen him answer questions every couple of days.
I personally would like to see that more often within the University itself, but that is just my personal preference.
There is a Community tab within the University but again, I see comments and replies that were posted a month ago or more. It just doesn’t seem like this feature is really used. I don’t really here any encouragement coming from the owners to use it either.
I have not seen any questions answered by either of the two owners as a matter of fact. I understand as business owners the idea is to be able to walk away from your business and still make money, but not to answer any, that is a little disappointing.
What is the Price of ClickBank University?
There are really 3 different products that you can buy within the University:
- ClickBank University – $47/mo – This gives you access to the majority of the training like Orientation, Video Classes, Affiliates Training, Vendor Training, and the Community
- ClickBank Advanced – $97 one time – This gives you access to the Advanced Training
- ClickBank Builder – $329-988/yr – This gives you access to the ClickBank Builder which is THE KEY to simplifying the complete online sales process.
PLEASE NOTE: If you are a Vendor and are seriously considering ClickBank University, then click on the image below. At the end of the video you will have a chance to sign up for the University, BUT AND HERE IS THE KEY, through the below link you will have a ONE TIME and ONE TIME only chance to get a huge discount on the yearly amount of only $329 dollars!!!
My Final Thoughts
Product creation is ClickBank University’s niche. And they do it well, very well. If you are already an expert at something and have been trying to figure out how to turn your expertise and passion into an income then look no further, ClickBank University is for you and I encourage you to click the image above.
If you are a beginner to novice affiliate marketer and are looking for some hands on, step by step training, then this is not for you.
For you, I would recommend you learn the fundamentals of affiliate marketing first at Wealthy Affiliate and then if you wish, move on to product creation from there. Even if you haven’t the slightest idea whether you want to be a Vendor or an Affiliate Marketer, I would recommend the same advice, check out Wealthy Affiliate first.
So What Now?
If ClickBank caught your interest but you are not ready for product creation yet, then you are going to love this:
- Access to a FREE Starter membership(NO CREDIT CARD REQUIRED)
- Access to hundreds of Training Videos and a 10 lesson course for beginners
- Access to 2 FREE, yes FREE, Websites(learn how to build them in the above 10 lessons)
- If you decide to go Premium($47/mo), a 59% discount on your month
- Access to a LIVE, THRIVING, HELPFUL, and VERY, VERY ACTIVE COMMUNITY
- Access to the owners themselves(seriously I can private message)
Not only do you get all of the above, but personal help from me as well. All of that available to you at Wealthy Affiliate. This is exactly where I started and how I learned to build my first online business.
They are my #1 Recommended training program because they are inexpensive, provide more value than what I am paying, they provide a truly step by handholding step training process, and the community is second to none. Where most places you are desperately looking for help, here you are reached out to and encouraged by the whole community even when you didn’t ask for help….simply amazing.
ClickBank University
Overall Ranking: 85 out of 100
Price: $47/mo, $97 one time, $329-$988/yr
Owners: Adam Horwitz and Justin Atlan
Website: www.clickbank.com
If you have a personal experience from ClickBank University and would like to share it, or from Wealthy Affiliate, please comment below. It is greatly appreciated. Also, if you have any questions, leave them below as well. They are responded to promptly.
Jason
Owner
BestOnlineMarketingSystem.org
Melinda says
Thanks for this review. I know that I won’t be ready for ClickBank for a long time. I love WA though. I will be staying with them. 🙂
Jason says
I’m glad you liked the review Melinda. ClickBank is a great vehicle for the right person in mind. My goal in reviewing ClickBank University was to really define who it is for and who it is not for. Why spend money or worse, time, on something that isn’t for you anyway.
For most starting out, and even online marketers who haven’t quite learned all the fundamentals, Wealthy Affiliate is the way to go….even if someone is an expert in internet marketing, the support of the community can still really be quite beneficial!
Thanks for commenting.
Brian says
Jason, this was the review I’ve been waiting for! I’ve seen clickbank around but never read a review from someone that actually went through the training. Well at least to the point before they have you locked out! You nailed it when you asked the question of who’s business this really is, mine or there’s? Locking people out of training to collect on monthly dues seems shady to the degree of pinching money out of you.
I may get here for another stream of income, but for now I need that hand holding you were talking about. I read your WA review and I think I’ll go that route. Thanks man!
Jason says
Brian, I am glad this review has helped you in making a decision. I wish I would have found Wealthy Affiliate as soon as I started with my online journey. Unfortunately I did not find it until about a year into it.
It was exactly what I needed, a step by handholding step, guide to build an online business. It was perfect for me and I know it will be for you as well!
To our success!
lorraine says
Hi Jason
Your review on Clickbank is great well said and i won’t be signing up for Clickbank University i have had a look and found it too expensive for me. But good work on this review.
Jason says
I am glad you found my review helpful in making a decision, regardless of the outcome, as long as you feel informed, comfortable and confident in the decision you made, that is my whole goal of my site and reviews.
Please be sure to book mark my site and come back. I post new articles and reviews every couple of days.
Cheers.