Digital marketing funnels are powerful and effective.
If used correctly, they can drive targeted traffic to an online business, increase leads and ultimately drive sales.
In this article we will explain what a digital marketing funnel is and how companies use them to increase profits.
👉 We recommend you to read: How to create a marketing plan for your fast food restaurant.
What is a digital marketing funnel?
A digital marketing funnel is a multi-step process that helps guide potential customers through the various stages of the buying process.
From their initial contact with a company to their eventual sale.
It usually consists of four stages: Awareness, Discovery, Consideration and Conversion.
At each stage, different tactics and strategies can be used to capture leads.
Every company is different and will create their own digital marketing funnels to achieve their specific goals.
Marketing funnel stages
💦 1. Awareness raising
The first stage of the sales funnel is awareness.
This is when potential customers become aware of a problem they have and start looking for a solution.
During this stage, it is important for companies to create content that demonstrates how their product or service can help solve the customer’s problem.
💦 2. Interest
The second stage of the sales funnel is interest.
This is when potential customers become more aware of the benefits of a product or service and begin to do more research before making a purchase decision.
During this stage, it is important for companies to provide potential customers with as much information as possible to help them make an informed decision.
💦 3. Preference
The third phase of the sales funnel is preference.
This is when potential customers begin to narrow down their options and choose the product or service that best meets their needs.
During this phase, it is important for companies to highlight the unique advantages of their product or service to help potential customers make a confident buying decision.
💦 4. Procurement
The fourth and final stage of the sales funnel is acquisition. This is when companies acquire new customers and make a sale.
During this phase, it is important that companies continue to provide stellar customer service to ensure that customers are satisfied with their purchase and come back for more in the future.
AIDA: the classic sales funnel
One of the oldest and best known marketing funnels is AIDA: Awareness, Interest, Desire, Action.
This funnel was developed by American advertising specialist Elias St Elmo Lewis in 1898, and has since been adopted by marketers around the world as a cornerstone of their online marketing strategy.
AIDA works by attracting the attention of potential customers, maintaining their interest, creating desire, and ultimately enticing them to take action and make a purchase.
The 3-phase funnel model
The 3-phase funnel model is also known as the TOFU, MOFU and BOFU model, and stands for Top, Middle and Bottom of the funnel.
This model is a slightly more detailed version of the AIDA model, in which each phase is divided into the following three phases.
Top of Funnel (TOFU) – This is all about providing prospects with the information and resources they need to help them decide whether or not to buy from you.
This is done by blogging, creating useful content and leveraging influencers on social media.
Middle of the Funnel (MOFU) – This stage consists of nurturing and educating potential customers about your products.
It consists of providing detailed information about your products, offering upsells and discounts, and sending email campaigns.
Bottom of the funnel (BOFU) – This is the final stage of the funnel, where you try to close the sale. It is at this point where you give potential customers a reason to buy by offering them deals and understanding their needs.
👉 You might be interested in: The 8 best food marketing strategies for your business.
StoryBrand and BrandScript funnels
StoryBrand and BrandScript funnels are a relatively new concept, but one that many companies are finding extremely useful.
They involve creating a simple, story-based framework that guides customers through their buying journey and prompts them to take action.
The idea behind StoryBrand and BrandScript funnels is that potential customers feel they have already been sold to when they reach the bottom of the funnel, as the narrative created at the top of the funnel gradually builds on itself.
How to create an effective digital marketing funnel
Creating an effective digital marketing funnel is about understanding your target audience, knowing who they are and what they need.
It’s also important to make sure that each stage flows into the next and that each stage is tailored to get the best possible results.
Once you have identified your target audience and determined the stages you want to include in your digital marketing funnel, you can use the right tactics and strategies to engage them.
Steps to perform the marketing funnel
💦 1. Collect customer data.
The first step in creating an effective digital marketing funnel is to collect customer data.
This data can be used to create custom audiences to target with specific marketing messages.
By collecting customer data, companies can better understand their customers’ needs and preferences, which can be used to create more effective marketing campaigns.
💦 2. Create a buyer persona
Another important step in creating an effective digital marketing funnel is to create buyer personas.
Buyer personas are fictional characters that represent your typical customer.
By creating personas, companies can better understand their customers’ needs and preferences, which can be used to create more effective marketing campaigns.
💦 3. Creating a marketing strategy
The next step in creating an effective digital marketing funnel is to create a marketing strategy.
A marketing strategy outlines the steps that will be taken to reach your target audience and achieve your business goals. By creating a marketing strategy, businesses can ensure that their marketing efforts are focused and effective.
💦 4. Execute your marketing plan
The last step in creating an effective digital marketing funnel is to execute your marketing plan.
Once you’ve developed a plan, you need to put it into action and see what works best for your business.
By testing different marketing strategies, businesses can determine which approaches are the most effective and can be used to reach their target audience and achieve their business goals
👉 Learn more about: All about benchmarketing: Become an expert
Now it’s your turn
Digital marketing funnels are an effective and powerful way to attract traffic, increase leads and drive sales, and can be adapted to virtually any business.
By understanding the different types of funnels and how to create an effective one, businesses can use them to increase their profits.
