The sales funnel is nothing more than a funnel-shaped tool used by marketing specialists to classify users by the stages they go through , from when they have their first contact with a brand until they make a purchase.
However, not all companies use this tool, missing out on the benefits it provides and the sales opportunities to create automation strategies.
In this sense, we want to offer you a step-by-step guide so that you can get the most out of your sales funnel and increase your profits.
What is the sales funnel or sales funnels
Although we have already explained a little about what this strategy is based on, we are going to go a little deeper so that you get a clearer idea.
It is therefore the process that a customer goes through from being acquired - that is, when they become aware of the brand - until they acquire a product or service . To do this, all kinds of marketing strategies come into play; social networks, advertisements, content marketing, email marketing, etc.
Ultimately, the sales funnel is nothing more gmx email list than a tool that helps you understand what state your client is in, and design strategies that help you guide them through all the stages of the funnel and close a sale .
Stages of the funnel (sales funnel)
First stage of the sales funnel: Lead capture
If you already have a clear idea of who your buyer persona or ideal client is , this would be the first stage of the sales funnel. The first step would be to understand who your ideal client is and once this action is done, you could start with the design of the sales funnel.
Therefore, the first step of the sales funnel is the acquisition of clients or leads . The idea is to obtain the client's data or to have the client perform an action that will lead them to perform another action, thus leading them through all the stages of the sales funnel.
These actions will vary depending on the type of product, service or company.
Second stage of the sales funnel: Prospect
It is time to identify and/or classify the leads generated in the first stage of the sales funnel.
Why this classification? It is important to know which stage of the funnel the lead is in, in order to create strategies according to the lead and thus save time, effort and costs. A wrong message or action can cause the loss of the lead.
Third stage of the sales funnel: Opportunity
Finding the opportunity means finding the sales opportunity, that is, measuring what type of product or service interests the customer the most and thus, showing them only what is relevant to them.
Fourth stage of the sales funnel: Qualification
Knowing your business's interests for each specific lead perfectly. Finding what attracts them or what will drive them to make a purchase. To do this, measuring or analyzing web interactions is essential.
Fifth stage of the sales funnel: Closing
This is the last stage of the funnel and is the one in which the lead has become a customer, and therefore has made a sale. Once this stage has been reached, the company will have successfully achieved its objectives.
How a sales funnel works
Having seen each stage of the sales funnel, it is time to explain how it works.
A user usually lands on a website through a Google search related to your topic or sector. This would be the first phase of acquisition.
Once on your website, they perform an action such as subscribing to your newsletter, thus becoming a prospect.
Once converted into a prospect, they can browse through product listings or blog posts, eventually giving you their email address.
If the user leaves their data, they automatically become a lead.
Once the user gives you their data, you have several ways to communicate with them, and therefore, create specific strategies that will help you guide them through the different stages of the sales funnel until they become a customer.
Step-by-step guide: How to create a sales funnel
We tell you step by step everything you need to take into account to create a sales funnel.
Analyze your audience's behavior
Without a doubt, the more you know about your audience, the more effective your sales funnel will be. That's why it's necessary to have your Buyer Persona or ideal client defined.
In order to create personalized marketing and sales strategies that help you achieve your sales goals.
Catch your audience's attention
If you can't capture users' attention, there's no point in having a sales funnel.
To achieve this, we recommend generating relevant content for your users, such as: blog, infographic, ebook…
Landing Page Creation
It's important that your ads direct the customer somewhere, such as a landing page . This could be an ebook download page, a form to obtain a resource, etc.
It is important that these landing pages are accompanied by a Call To Action to get the user to take another action and guide them through the different stages of the funnel .
Email Marketing
Reaching users via email is essential to capture their attention, in addition to educating the user and creating a need and interest.
Don't lose touch
Keeping in touch with your users is a way to keep them in mind and not forget about you . Also, if you offer them what interests them at any given time, they will end up becoming clients, or if they already are, you will be able to build loyalty.
Advantages of the sales funnel
Increase the conversion rate and simplify the steps to convert it into a lead.
Improve your customer knowledge.
Increase productivity.
Fosters the union of the marketing team with the sales team
Enrich your database.
Reduce bounce rate.
The sales funnel is essential to keep track of your customers, but also of your company's sales.
It is a tool that, if used well, can give you many clues about how your campaigns and strategies are working, what type of clients you want, and everything you need to do to improve.
