A pipeline is the visual roadmap of your sales process. Understanding how to structure your pipelines and define your stages is critical for maintaining an organized and efficient sales team.
1. Anatomy of a Pipeline
Your pipeline is divided into vertical columns called Stages. These stages represent the sequential steps a prospect must take to become a paying customer.
| Standard Stage Name | Definition | Action Required |
|---|---|---|
| New Lead | A prospect just entered the system via a form or ad. | Initial outreach / speed-to-lead response. |
| Meeting Booked | The prospect scheduled a discovery or sales call. | Prepare presentation and send reminders. |
| Proposal Sent | A quote or contract has been delivered. | Follow up and negotiate terms. |
Pro-Tip
Don't overcomplicate your pipeline. Having 15 stages creates friction for your sales reps. Stick to 4-7 core milestones that require a distinct action to move the deal forward.
2. Creating a Custom Pipeline
Navigate to Settings
Go to Settings > Pipelines and click the Create New Pipeline button.
Define Your Stages
Name your pipeline and add your stages in chronological order. You can drag and drop them to rearrange the flow.
Toggle Visibility
Choose whether to show this pipeline in the main dashboard funnel chart and click Save.