Do you ever feel like your customers are playing a game of hide-and-seek with your business? One minute they’re interested, and the next minute they’ve disappeared without a trace. It’s like trying to catch a squirrel in a park – impossible! However, there is a solution! In this comprehensive guide to the customer journey funnel, we’ll take you through each step of the way, from awareness to advocacy.
So grab your binoculars, and let’s go squirrel hunting (or customer hunting, if you will)!
Stage 1: Awareness
The awareness stage is the first step in the customer journey funnel. At this stage, customers are discovering your brand and learning about your products or services. To capture their attention, you need to create content that educates and engages them.
Here are some strategies for the awareness stage:
- Create informative blog posts that answer common questions your potential customers may have.
- Use social media platforms to promote your content and reach a wider audience.
- Run paid ads on search engines and social media platforms to increase brand awareness.
Stage 2: Consideration
The consideration stage is where customers start to evaluate their options. They’re looking at your competitors and trying to determine which product or service best fits their needs. To stand out, you must provide value and build trust with your audience.
Here are some strategies for the consideration stage:
- Create in-depth product guides that showcase the features and benefits of your products or services.
- Offer free trials or demos to let customers test your product before making a purchase.
- Use retargeting ads to remind customers about your brand and products.
Stage 3: Conversion
The conversion stage is where customers make a purchase or sign up for a service. At this stage, it’s essential to provide a seamless buying experience and remove any barriers to purchase.
Here are some strategies for the conversion stage:
- Optimise your website for conversions, making it easy for customers to find what they’re looking for.
- Provide multiple payment options to accommodate different preferences.
- Offer incentives such as discounts or free shipping to encourage customers to make a purchase.
Stage 4: Retention
The retention stage is where businesses can turn customers into loyal fans. By providing exceptional customer service and value, you can keep customers coming back and increase their lifetime value.
Here are some strategies for the retention stage:
- Offer a loyalty program that rewards customers for repeat purchases.
- Provide proactive customer service that solves issues before they become problems.
- Ask for feedback and use it to improve your products and services.
Stage 5: Advocacy
The advocacy stage is where customers become brand ambassadors, recommending your products or services to others. By creating a positive customer experience, you can turn customers into advocates and grow your business through word of mouth.
Here are some strategies for the advocacy stage:
- Encourage customers to leave reviews and testimonials on your website and social media channels.
- Offer referral programs that incentivise customers to refer friends and family.
- Create social media campaigns encouraging customers to share their experiences with your brand.
The Role of PPC in The Customer Journey
PPC (pay-per-click) advertising can be an incredibly powerful tool for businesses to target their customers at every stage of the customer journey funnel.
- In the awareness stage, a well-targeted PPC campaign can help introduce your brand to new audiences who may not be aware of your product or service. By using targeted keywords and demographics, you can get your brand in front of the right people at the right time.
- In the consideration stage, you can use PPC ads to showcase the unique value proposition of your product or service and how it compares to your competitors.
- In the decision stage, PPC ads can help drive conversions by offering special discounts or incentives to push customers towards making a purchase.
- And finally, in the advocacy stage, you can use PPC ads to retain and engage your existing customers by promoting new products, services, or loyalty programs.
By creating a strategic PPC campaign that targets your customers at every stage of the customer journey, you can increase brand awareness, drive conversions, and, ultimately, grow your business.
(Read more about the role of AI for digital marketers.)
Finding the “When”
The customer journey funnel is a crucial aspect of any business. By understanding the various stages of the funnel and optimising your sales process, you can increase conversions, build customer loyalty, and grow your business. The role of targeted, carefully crafted PPC ads is an essential tool for advertisers and brands alike.
Find out more on how to maximise your ROI and automate PPC decisions.