What is a sales funnel? Easiest ever guide on what you need to know
In the world of making sales online, it’s not about just setting up shop and then waiting for the customers to start rolling in. (Damn).
Instead, entrepreneurs and business owners on the Internet are required to guide potential customers on a journey, funnelling them through different stages of belief in the company as a whole. One person could never nurture every single customer on this journey, which is where the sales funnel comes in.
While many business-savvy people have heard of sales funnels by now, many still don’t know how to define what one actually is.
This article seeks to explore the question “What is a sales funnel?”, helping entrepreneurs understand it thoroughly so that they can build their own.
What is a Sales Funnel?
One of the best ways to truly understand a sales funnel is by first visualising a real funnel.
Designed to help you pour something into one finite destination in a controlled manner, a sales funnel works the same way. It is a multi-step process, saturated in buyer psychology, and created to help business owners get their products in front of the right eyes.
The sales funnel can be implemented successfully in almost any industry you can imagine, including dentists and chiropractors, business coaches, network marketing experts, and more.
The Stages of a Sales Funnel
As mentioned above, the sales funnel is comprised of multiple different steps, each with their own goal in mind. The purpose of this is to ensure that prospects remain interested and engaged in the process. The stages help boost the effectiveness of the overall funnel and also account for the individuality of each person within it. While each funnel is unique to the business it is designed for, most follow the same general four. These are often remembered simply by the acronym AIDA.
1. Awareness/Attract:
Awareness sits at the widest, top portion of the funnel. This is where people are initially drawn into the funnel from the outside world and first gain awareness that your brand even exists. Brand awareness can be improved through multiple different areas of focus, including social media marketing, SEO, starting a blog, and advertising.
The content you create at this stage should be exciting and engaging, but also informative. Remember, the first impression is the most important.
2. Interest:
As a prospect moves along their journey and through the funnel, they grow much more aware of your company, its values, and the products or services you offer. Now is time for you to pique their interest and teach them more.
They’ve been given a few nuggets of information, but this is your opportunity to build a new relationship and help determine their end goals. Content at this stage should be focused on email campaigns, blog posts, and social media engagement. This is your chance to build excitement surrounding your company.
3. Desire/Decision:
Your buyer is really moving down the funnel at this point, and they now know everything they need to in order to make a purchasing decision. There’s really not much more information you can give people at this stage in the sales funnel, as it’s less about educating and informing, and more about creating desire.
You’re not quite ready to close a deal here, so now is the time to convince prospects that your solution is the right decision for them. Focus on offering content like testimonials, discount codes, free trials, and bonus products during the decision stage.
4. Action:
We’re finally at the end of the funnel and have reached the stage where all the action really happens. Your prospect has arrived at the entire reason your sales funnel was created in the first place. You have nurtured them through the stages, and this is where they can make a purchase and become a longtime fan of your company.
This is where the prospect becomes a part of your business ecosystem, and customer retention remains the name of the game. At this point, special offers, bundled packages, and welcome emails are a wonderful approach.
Creating a Successful Sales Funnel
Now that you can properly answer the question “What is a sales funnel?”, it’s time to learn to successfully implement one for your business. Start by properly identifying your target market, and a problem they have that your organization can help solve. Now you can begin creating your sales funnel.
One of the best strategies for a beginner is to design the funnel backward, starting with your solution. This could look something like:
- A core product designed to meet a problem relevant to your target market (purchasing this would be the action stage)
- Core product testimonials and discount codes sent through email (encouraging the decision stage)
- Share relevant blog posts with email opt-in campaign pertaining to the core product on social media channels (piques interest and helps potential clients trust you)
- First social media interaction
How Social Media Ties into the Sales Funnel
Social media isn’t only used for fun and games. In fact, using social media to guide buyers through the stages of your sales funnel is one of the best uses of these modern platforms.
This is because social media is such a great way for people to really get to know about a company and everything they stand for. Most people actually check out a business’ social media page before deciding whether to support them or not.
Now is the time to focus on your organisation’s digital presence, perfecting your sales funnels, and guiding customers along the journey to success.
Learn how to elevate your social media marketing strategy here and how to acquire clients through facebook messenger.
Some people feel like that have absolutely no time to use trial and error with their online strategy. You can find out about what a Business coach and apply for support from an expert when the time comes for your business to follow a step by step plan.