It's 2018, is Optimize Press 2 still worth it?
If you're reading this article, it's probably because you're wondering whether to get OptimizePress 2.0 or not. (If you prefer to watch my video review, it's above)
I'll be completely transparent here as I'll provide the positive things about this tool and I'll be upfront with the negatives as well.
First things first, my background on using Optimize Press 2.0
I built my first membership website using Optimize Press 1.0. OP1 was the pioneer for me when it comes to creating landing pages that looked great and really gorgeous.
So when the version 2 was coming out, I immediately grabbed a copy when it launched back in 2013 (around that time maybe).
Here's what I've found out, It was a completely different with Optimize Press 1.0. The elements are different, the interface is different, and a lot of people struggled to adapt to this new version.
I'll be honest at first, I didn't like it. But during that time there are limited number of landing page creators.
One of the formidable competitor during that time was Leadpages, which unfortunately was the only landing page builder/tool that is worth competing with OptimizePress.
And Leadpages didn't have the ability to move elements back then so OptimizePress 2 was really the ONLY option that I've found for gorgeous landing pages (2013/2014).
Top marketers like Ryan Deiss and his Digital Marketer website started using OptimizePress 2.0 for their sales pages and landing pages so OptimizePress 2.0 started getting more popular.
This continued for a few years and then this happened...
Competitors started to arrive and changed the game
OptimizePress was clunky, heavy to use, and painfully SLOW.
And if you're an entrepreneur, you know how important it is to be able to do things faster, more efficiently. The editor of OptimizePress is just slow and is hard to use.
Also, once you start using Optimize Press, you can't revert back to editing like before because ANY edits you've made in the OP2 live editor, won't be reflected on your WordPress post/page edits.
Around 2014/2015 I think, competitors started to arrive and it addressed many of the things that is missing with Optimize Press 2.
Other tools like Thrive Themes', Thrive Content Builder (now Thrive Architect) changed how you edit and format your website. And the pages created with the Thrive Themes suite of plugins are gorgeous, unique and loads very quickly.
Not to mention that it's my first experience with Visual front-end drag and drop editors.
It's the ultimate WYSIWYG interface.
Simply drag elements into your post/page and you can see it being edited in real time. In 2017, Thrive Themes transitioned Thrive Content Builder into Thrive Architect, which catapulted website design (without Photoshop) to the next level.
I highly recommend that you read my Thrive Architect Review and discover why I'm using it for ALL of my websites.
Advantages of using OptimizePress 2.0
Let's jump right to it.
For me, as a user of OptimizePress for years, here are the top advantages of using it.
1. It's the cheapest landing page builder that can create powerful designs. (Starts at $97)
This is a viable option for people who would like to have beautiful landing pages and who doesn't have the extra budget to purchase tools for their online business.
2. It has a HUGE library of landing page designs (if you get the Club membership)
When you become a Club member, you'll get ALL the designs + more.
3. You can have a basic membership plugin to sell your courses (Optimize Member plugin - which is really like a white-labeled version of S2Member PRO)
Disadvantages of using OptimizePress 2.0
It's definitely not all bells and wishes for OP2.
There are several advantages of using it as I've mentioned above, but there's also bad ones.
Probably the biggest disadvantage of using OptimizePress 2.0 is that it is NOT innovative enough to meet the demands of users like us.
A lot of competitors like Thrive Themes, Leadpages and Clickfunnels have upped their game in the last few years.
Thrive Content Builder (now Thrive Architect) address the particular pain points of "previous" landing page builders and made a better tool.
You'll also notice that OptimizePress 2.0 is catching up in terms of features and functionality with other landing page builders, but OP2 is WAAAAY behind.
Where do I stand right with OptimizePress?
I've removed OP2 COMPLETELY on this site: TRAFFICSALAD
I've removed the membership plugin: OP2 Member
And I'm completely revamping the membership platform on my site for 2018.
I may install and still use OptimizePress 2 in the future, but as of December 2017, those plugins are not live on this blog.
Why?
Because I've found a better option.
And if you're thinking of buying OptimizePress 2, then YOU may want to consider this as well.
For Direct Competitors of OptimizePress 2.0: Consider Thrive Themes (my number 1 recommendation, which includes the Thrive Content Builder) and Divi 3.0 by ElegantThemes.
Thrive Architect and Divi 3.0 are the most similar tools (and much) better tool than OP2.
For In-direct Competitors on OptimizePress 2.0 - Consider Leadpages and Clickfunnels.
Though they're not directly competing with OptimizePress 2, these are the 2 leaders when it comes to sales funnels and highly converting landing pages.
Optimize Press vs Clickfunnels
We are really NOT comparing the same Lead Gen Platform with Optimize Press 2 and Clickfunnels. But the biggest differences between Clickfunnels and Optimize Press 2 is that Clickfunnels is a web-based tool, while Optimize Press 2 is a WordPress plugin/theme.
Of course, having a web-based software requires more resources and upkeep, Clickfunnels is more expensive ($97 per month), but for it's bells and whistles, I think it's totally worth it.
What I love with Clickfunnels is the integration between your entire sales funnels. You won't just create landing pages, but you'll "tie" them together into one "marketing funnel" and you can monitor the traffic and conversion rates in each landing page segment.
So Clickfunnels is a different beast than Optimize Press 2, and it's a powerful option if you need to create an entire "marketing funnel" easily. You can still create a "marketing funnel" in Optimize Press 2, but it would take a lot of time since you'll need to use third party tools to track metrics on each pages.
Optimize Press vs Unbounce
If you prefer Drag-and-Drop capabilities and TOTAL customization of your landing pages, then UNBOUNCE is the best way to go. But it's also NOT the quickest way to go. There's also limitations on traffic and a lot of the PRO features are only available on the $99/month level.
Unbounce is again a totally different landing page software because just like Clickfunnels, it's web-based and a full SAAS platform. But of course, this would be more expensive for a small business owner as monthly costs starts at $49/month.
Also remember that there's LIMITED traffic to your Unbounce pages. Both have a quick set of templates that you can use to create a landing page quickly.
Optimize Press vs Leadpages
I have both tools.
Leadpages is a landing page tool/creator which is self-hosted, while OptimizePress is not. You'll need WordPress in order to be able to use OptimizePress in the first place.
It's not apples to apples when it comes to comparing the two.
Optimize Press vs Thrive Themes
Thrive Themes is the NEWEST set of Landing page and Lead Generation Tools made by Shane Melaugh. Shane is the co-founder of several internet marketing tools like SE-Cockpit, Thrive Leads, Hybrid Connect and more.
So I know that when it comes to conversions, he's really one of the experts out there.
And I'm blown away by the simplicity, functionality, and features of the Thrive Themes Set of Plugins.
I love it so much, that I'm revamping this entire site: TRAFFICSALAD to use the Thrive Themes sets of tools.
But before you try this, take note that Thrive Themes would only work with WordPress, just like Optimize Press 2. So really, this is where I'm comparing apples to apples (sort of).
Which is also why I'm USING and NOW RECOMMENDING Thrive Themes over Optimize Press 2. I still have my Optimize Press 2, and I know a lot of people will still use it, especially if they've already built a lot of their website using Optimize Press Technology.
But if you're coming from an Optimize Press 1.0 website, you still need to entirely rebuild your website with Optimize Press 2. Might as well use Thrive Themes instead.
The reason I've chosen Thrive Themes over Optimize Press 2 is because it's faster and easier to use. I'm currently editing this website on the Thrive Themes Content Builder in Real Time. So Whatever I add/remove is quickly reflected on my website.
I'm not editing in Rows/Columns, etc and hoping my landing pages would look like what I've imagined.
Another feature that I love about Thrive Themes is that when you get the full membership, you'll also get Thrive Leads and Clever Widgets. Both powerful tools for getting more subscribers into your email list.
As of now, I'm recommending Thrive Themes over Optimize Press 2. Click here for the FULL review of Thrive Themes.
They've recently changed the pricing (increased a bit) but it's still very competitive. For UNLIMITED sites that you personally OWN, you can get all of their plugins for only $228/year. That's $69 less than the UNLIMITED sites option of Optimize Press 2.
Optimize Press vs Wishpond
Wishpond has recently been in my radar after they've reached out to me via Linkedin.
And their pricing option looks very attractive. Even the free version allows you to have 200 leads. Marketing automation and Lead scoring are HUGE.
Other CRM tools and Lead Scoring tools are charging thousands of dollars for these features. We won't be comparing apples to apples with Optimize Press 2 and Wishpond since it's a web-based, SAAS platform.
Conclusion: Is it still worth it to buy OptimizePress?
I have LOVED and USED (still do in some sites) OptimizePress 2 for many years.
And I know a lot of people will still do, but my recommendation now is if you're looking at ALMOST the same PRICE POINT and the same WordPress Plugin/Theme combo, I'll go with Thrive Themes. Here's my full review of Thrive Themes if you would like to learn more.
There will still be a little bit of learning curve when you try Thrive Themes, but it will be a lot easier. In fact, it was easier for me to learn Thrive Themes than Optimize Press 2. (I got this new site done in just a few hours)
But of course, in the end it will be your preference whether to choose Optimize Press 2 or Thrive Themes or if you want a web-based landing page tool like Clickfunnels, or Leadpages. Web based tools are best when you're not necessarily using WordPress.
I know that you might still have a question, so please don't hesitate to reach out. Thank you for reading my review and please share this article if you've found it helpful. You're awesome!
Grab my OptimizePress 2.0 Bonuses (2018 update)
Whether you get OptimizePress 2.0 or Thrive Themes, I'm offering a value-added bonus to those who'll get it via my affiliate links (I earn a small commission when you do that but it won't cost you extra, you'll pay the same amount, but you'll also be able to grab these bonuses).
Bonus #1 - 8 Highly Converting Templates that you could use with OptimizePress 2.0 - This will help save you time creating new landing pages. Model these templates as a great way to get started with OP2.
Bonus #2 - Traffic Generation Guide - Learn the top 3 sources of traffic that I use for my own websites.
Bonus #3 - Lead Magnet Guide - Discover what Leadmagnets are and how you can use them to supercharge your list-building campaigns.
Bonus #4 - Split-testing Guide - Learn how you could start doing split-testing so that you could start getting more conversions on your website.