Sales · 7 min read

What is a sales pipeline?

A sales pipeline is a visual map of every deal you're working on and the stage it's at. It shows what you'll likely close and where deals get stuck.

Updated 12 October 2026 · By the SuperForge team

Sales team reviewing a whiteboard
Photo by Austin Distel on Unsplash

01Typical pipeline stages

StageWhat it means
LeadSomeone showed interest
QualifiedThey have the need, budget and authority
Meeting / demoYou've presented your offer
ProposalA quote or proposal is with them
NegotiationTerms are being agreed
Won / LostThe outcome

02Examples

  • Agency: Enquiry → Discovery call → Proposal → Contract → Won.
  • Real estate: Enquiry → Site visit → Negotiation → Token paid → Registered.
  • B2B wholesale: Lead → Sample sent → Quote → PO received → Won.

03Metrics to track

  • Pipeline value by stage.
  • Win rate.
  • Average deal size.
  • Sales cycle length.
  • Deals with no activity in 7+ days.

04Build one in minutes

SuperForge starts every workspace with a 6-stage drag-and-drop pipeline you can rename to match your process. See the free CRM.

05Questions

What is the difference between a sales pipeline and a sales funnel?

A pipeline shows the stages your deals move through from the seller's view; a funnel shows how many prospects drop off at each stage.

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