Every company, regardless of its size or line of business, has the main objective of marketing something and, in turn, every sales process has to have a structure if we want it to be controllable, modifiable and scalable. In that sense, learning what a sales pipeline is will help you take the first steps towards optimized management and visibility of your marketing flow and lead your leads towards the conversion you want.
Along these lines we will teach you what this element is about, its importance within sales strategies and, of course, the steps to create your sales pipeline. Are you ready to discover what a sales pipeline is and how to implement it in your business? Keep reading!
What is a sales pipeline?
As its name suggests, the pipe is the path that each lead will take until they become a customer of your business. If you are familiar with the sales funnel of the Inbound methodology and Content Marketing , you most likely already understand what we are referring to. Generally, everything that makes up a sales pipeline is represented and controlled visually through a CRM or Customer Relationship Management, since it is a process that must be automated and digitally controlled by the various phases that make it up.
Now, a sales pipeline is not the same for every business; In fact, a pipeline can vary from product line or even from item to item within the same organization. Which shows how versatile it can be and how useful it is to organize and control the entire sales process.
Why should you create one?
There are many reasons why a WhatsApp Number Data company, regardless of its size or sector, has to learn what a sales pipeline is and subsequently implement it in its operations. However, below we will describe the main reasons that will surely convince you of its importance. Visualization : a sales pipeline provides those who manage and are part of the Sales department with a visual representation to show each member the stage or place where each lead is.
This tool also contextualizes managers and sales representatives about potential profits, to the point of being almost a prediction , by indicating leads in late stages of the pipeline and purchasing them with patterns. Cooperation : puts all teams on the same page when dealing with a contact, allowing for greater group synergy and closing the greatest number of business opportunities.
Data collection : through interaction with leads and clients, and the use of tools such as CRMs, data is obtained on the behavior of leads to execute effective and precise actions on each potential consumer. A lead will move through the different phases of the sales pipeline according to their interest, needs, problems or how much knowledge they have of the solutions provided by the company.
Differences between pipeline and sales funnel
In order to obtain B To C Database a structured, orderly and reliable sales pipeline process, it is necessary to comply with some basic steps that will be part of the process.
Now, it is important to clarify that a sales pipeline can vary from strategy to strategy, or even from product to product. Therefore, a detailed analysis of the phases for each action is necessary. Below are the fundamental steps of the sales pipeline: First contact : which makes up the process of attracting the lead and the sales representative begins the path towards conversion through calls, emails, messaging or any other means in order to establish the first communication. Qualification : just as in a sales funnel, within the sales pipeline it is necessary to understand if this contact needs the product or service you offer, if they can buy it and if it is the right time for it; which requires a qualification process .
Proposal : once qualified, your interest will have been demonstrated, so the next step requires sending a proposal to begin converting the sale based on a delivery of value. Negotiation : where a balance is found between the needs of the lead and the expectations of your business in terms of profits, relationship, feedback, among others. Closing : which requires the completion of the sales process and the beginning of post-sales and customer loyalty efforts.
