Sales funnel stages: list and explanations

Sales Funnel: A gist!

Sales funnel has always been a buzz among the marketers and salespeople.

“Every cloud has a silver lining”. Potential customers may initially experience problems or challenges, represented by the clouds, in the world of sales and marketing. There is a hidden opportunity waiting to be discovered. The sales funnel serves as a guide, assisting individuals in navigating discovering the rich opportunities that lie therein.

Moreover, the sales funnel has the potential to encourage businesses to interact with the prospects at the optimal moment. It emphasizes the significance of capitalizing on a customer’s passion and interest while it is still fresh, allowing for a more seamless transition from awareness to conversion.

A sales funnel also reminds businesses of the significance of diversity and multiple opportunities for success. As a result, focusing on just one strategy or plan may limit a company’s capacity to reach a bigger audience. Instead, organizations should employ a range of ways and channels to capture the attention and interest of various consumer segments throughout the sales process.

How does a sales funnel work?

Imagine an engaging experience in which potential customers go on an exciting journey that begins when they become aware of a product or service and ends with a triumphant purchase. This thrilling journey, known as a sales funnel, resembles a funnel-shaped vortex, delicately directing and converting a slew of prospects into loyal customers. The crowd gradually thins as they move through each stage of this epic journey, leaving just the most motivated and eager individuals to embark on the ultimate adventure of making a purchasing decision.

Sales Funnel Lifecycle

A sales funnel consists of several steps, which are commonly referred to as the top, middle, and bottom of the funnel and are discussed below:

Top

Consider the prospects as they stand at a crossroads, propelled by a strong desire to solve their dilemma. It’s as though a curious customer roams the aisles of a retail outlet, finding satisfaction in the act of browsing. This fascinating stage of awareness and discovery contains the key to marketing excellence, allowing firms to launch interesting campaigns that seamlessly captivate and engage their audience. Brands genuinely thrive in this arena of hands-off advertising, leaving a lasting impression on people seeking knowledge and enlightenment.

Mid

Welcome to the key phase of the sales funnel, when the potential customers and sales-qualified leads (when we talk about SQL, how to leave behind MQL, learn more about MQL Vs SQL in our blog) are looking for particular problem-solving solutions. It’s time to educate, nurture, and persuade the prospects, guiding them deeper through the sales funnel’s winding tunnels. When a prospective customer reaches this level, the stars align, offering a true opportunity for a successful sale. Here, the synergy between the sales and marketing methods becomes critical, accelerating the trip to victory.

Bottom

At this critical stage, the prospect is on the verge of making a decision, calling the application of persuasive power through a resounding closing speech. The bottom of the funnel reveals a realm where sales skill shines, allowing for purchase closure and referral nurturing through spectacular experiences. In this area, the art of creating connections and timely follow-ups comes to life, assuring the brand’s invincible presence in the thoughts of discerning customers.

Every step of the sales funnel explained

Prospects progress through different stages of the sales funnel, evaluating your product or service based on their interest level. The four major steps are laid out below:

Awareness

Imagine a bustling city center where passersby are drawn to a billboard advertising a groundbreaking new gadget. As they scroll through their social media stream, an attractive sponsored post touting the same revolutionary product catches their attention. Suddenly, a memory of a friend bragging about how this technology improved their life arises, heightening their curiosity.

This is the awareness stage, which occurs when potential buyers come into contact with a brand or product through various means such as advertisements, SEO, sponsored social media posts, referrals, or interesting content. The idea is to capture their attention, arouse their curiosity, and leave them hungry to learn more. It’s the beginning of an exciting adventure of discovery.

Interest

In a world where nearly everyone is enthralled by the appeal of smartphones, a tech fanatic who comes across an intriguing advertisement for a cutting-edge technology. They are intrigued and decide to learn more by visiting the company’s website. They are pleasantly surprised to find a treasure mine of intriguing blog entries, instructional videos, and an attractive email sign-up option. With each resource they investigate, their interest grows and their connection to the brand grows stronger.

Welcome to the interest stage!

It’s a phase where potential customers actively engage with a brand, eagerly seeking more information about its products or services. It’s like embarking on a fantastic virtual adventure in this digital environment. They discover expertly designed blog entries brimming with useful information, enthralling videos that bring the product’s features to life, and the opportunity to keep in the loop via an intriguing newsletter. Prepare to satisfy their curiosity and form a strong bond with the brand!

Decision

Imagine being in the final stages of selecting a new smartphone. The meticulous task of comparing various brands, delving into customer reviews, and even requesting product demos consumes their attention. This is the decision stage, where options are evaluated to find the smartphone that aligns best with specific needs and preferences.

In the digital era, the decision stage takes on the form of an exciting quest for the ideal device. Seeking clarity, objective viewpoints, and convincing information becomes a priority. The urge to comprehend how each smartphone addresses distinct requirements and outperforms competitors grows.

A brand emerges from among the many options that not only addresses problems but also provides clear and appealing information. The selection becomes clearer after discovering detailed product comparisons, wonderful testimonials from delighted customers, and customized demos that eloquently demonstrate how the smartphone easily integrates into lifestyles.

Welcome to the decision stage, where alternatives are meticulously weighed and informed choices are made. Armed with knowledge and confidence, selecting the perfect product that fulfills one’s desires becomes an enjoyable journey.

Action

Now, when the person has gone through the process of researching and comparing various smartphones and came up with a final decision after careful examination, they make their way to the check out page of the brand’s online store.

This is the action stage of the sales funnel, where the customer is ready to make their purchase and officially become the proud owner of the chosen smartphone.

The brand attempts to make the purchasing process as simple as possible, almost like having a personal shopper. The checkout page is user-friendly and intuitive, allowing the customer to finish their purchase with just a few clicks. The business provides a variety of payment alternatives and ensures transaction security, giving the customer peace of mind.

Furthermore, the brand is dedicated to providing great customer service throughout the entire process. They are readily available to resolve any questions or problems the customer may have, both during and after the purchase. The brand knows the value of a smooth transition from prospect to customer, and they go above and beyond to exceed expectations at every stage.

How does Apptivo CRM software help to build sales funnel stages?

Apptivo CRM software includes powerful features and capabilities that can help organizations in effectively building and managing their sales funnel stages. Here are some ways Apptivo CRM software can help at each level of the sales funnel:

Awareness: Apptivo enables businesses to capture leads from various channels and centralize customer information. It allows businesses to track and organize leads, ensuring no opportunities are missed.

Consideration: Businesses can nurture leads using Apptivo CRM by sending personalized emails, running targeted marketing campaigns, and providing relevant content.

Decision: Apptivo CRM provides comprehensive customer insights, allowing organizations to better understand the demands of their prospects. It tracks client contacts, handles bids and proposals, and provides seamless communication, boosting the likelihood of concluding business.

Action: With pipeline management, deal tracking, and task automation, Apptivo CRM streamlines the sales process. It links with other company tools to make ordering and invoicing easier. The programme ensures excellent customer service, allowing for a smooth transition from prospect to customer.

Footnotes

Armed with a thorough awareness of the potential customer’s pain points and questions, they are now ready to start on a revolutionary journey, designing and implementing a sales funnel that will propel their sales prowess to new heights. It’s like cracking the code to becoming a highly efficient sales magician who dazzles prospects at every level of their purchasing journey. With each step meticulously planned and precisely executed, they are designed to fascinate and conquer, leaving a path of pleased clients in their wake. Prepare for a sales shift like no other.

Some key insights from this blog include:

• The top, middle, and bottom stages of the sales funnel define the information that leads require at each stage of their purchasing journey.
• Defining the sales funnel and resolving any leaks or inefficiencies requires a disciplined strategy.
• Using a trustworthy sales funnel software, such as a CRM, can increase the value and effectiveness of the sales funnel.