What Is A Marketing Funnel?
If you want your business’ sales process to run as efficiently as possible, you absolutely must get your marketing funnel.
So, what is a marketing funnel?
A marketing funnel is a way of breaking down the customer journey all the way from the “awareness” stage to the “purchase” stage. Often funnels can also include post-purchase follow-ups which increase retention as well as cross-sells and upsells.
The first step is, of course, getting traffic to your site. You can do this by creating SEO-friendly content, social media marketing, paid advertising, publishing white papers and getting backlinks. As leads progress through your funnel, your outreach methods will get more and more personalized until the sale takes place.
Stage of the Marketing Funnel
The marketing funnel works as a unified whole. This means that every section needs to work perfectly for the journey to be successful. There are many things that reduce friction in their marketing funnel. For instance:
Top of the funnel (TOFU)
if a person doesn’t recognize that they have a need that must be filled, they’re not going to make a purchase. That said, these needs can range from easily solved problems to issues without clear solutions.
For different types of businesses, buyer needs at the problem/need recognition stage are different.
Middle Of the Funnel (MOFU)
Potential customers start comparing the alternatives that your article has discussed. Again, the time spent in this stage will vary based on the type of purchase being contemplated.
They might request free trials of the different systems they’re considering, have online demonstrations with each company’s representatives or view training videos to get a feel for how each system will perform.
Bottom Of the Funnel (BOFU)
The purchase decision is the natural conclusion of the preceding three stages. The potential customer has determined that they have a problem, investigated their options, decided which one is best for them.
At this stage, making content that can help your potential customers feel confident in their decision to purchase your good/service.
The sales process isn’t done just because a purchase has been made. What happens after the sale is just as important.
If your new customers are greeted by a thoughtful onboarding process, personal attention and all the resources they need to use your product successfully, they’re more likely to confirm to themselves that they made the right choice. And when they’re confident, they’re more likely to pass on their satisfaction to others in the form of recommendations and product endorsements.
If your new customers experience disappointment after their purchase, they’re more likely to request refunds, write negative reviews and recommend that others in their social circles purchase from your competitors.
The Benefits of Marketing Funnels
Marketing funnels simplify the customer journey and make it easier for companies to follow. These solutions map out each stage of their client’s decision process and plan the steps they want to take in each.
A marketing funnel applies to almost any customer interaction. Whether you’re looking for online sales, generating traffic, or any other business you have, you need a marketing funnel. The funnel is a powerful way to bring visibility to every stage of connecting with your customer.
The biggest benefit of marketing funnels is their measurability. Your funnel shows you where you’re losing customers, to help you pivot your strategy. For instance, if you lose customers before they ever get to the second stage, you need a better brand awareness campaign.
Hopefully, this short article might help you to improve your marketing strategy for your business. Let’s discuss if you have any further questions. Thanks
Originally published at https://www.linkedin.com.
