title: "Setup Your CRM Pipeline"
Set Up Your CRM Pipeline
This guide helps business users create a clear pipeline so leads are tracked, assigned, and moved efficiently.
Step 1: Open Pipelines / CRM
- Instruction: Click CRM or Pipelines in the left menu, then Create Pipeline.
- Expected: A pipeline canvas or list appears where you can add and reorder stages.
- Why it matters: A visible pipeline structure lets you map your sales process and measure progress.
- Troubleshooting: If the canvas fails to load, refresh and confirm your permissions.
Step 2: Add a few clear stages
- Instruction: Add stages like New Lead, Contacted, Qualified, Proposal, Won.
- Expected: Each stage displays as a column or list and can accept new leads.
- Why it matters: Clear stages simplify handoffs and reporting.
- Troubleshooting: Consolidate similar stages if reporting becomes noisy.
Step 3: Set the default entry stage
- Instruction: In pipeline settings, set the default stage where new leads land (usually New Lead).
- Expected: New contacts created by forms or imports appear in the chosen stage.
- Why it matters: Ensures leads enter the correct workflow for timely follow-up.
- Troubleshooting: If contacts land in the wrong stage, verify form mappings and import settings.
Step 4: Assign owners or teams
- Instruction: Assign an owner or enable round-robin assignment so leads are distributed automatically.
- Expected: Incoming leads are assigned and show up on assignees' dashboards.
- Why it matters: Ownership drives accountability and faster follow-up.
- Troubleshooting: If assignments fail, check user availability and role permissions.
Step 5: Add simple automations
- Instruction: Create automations that notify owners on stage changes or move stalled leads into nurture flows.
- Expected: Owners receive notifications and the automation runs when conditions are met.
- Why it matters: Automations reduce manual work and prevent stalled deals.
- Troubleshooting: Test automations with a sample lead and inspect automation history if steps fail.
Step 6: Test with a sample lead
- Instruction: Create a test lead, watch it land in the default stage, and trigger stage changes to validate automations.
- Expected: The test lead moves through the pipeline and triggers any configured notifications or tags.
- Why it matters: Testing verifies mapping and automation behavior before using production traffic.
- Troubleshooting: If the test fails, check logs and field mappings.
What success looks like
- Leads consistently appear in the correct stage and are assigned to owners.
- You can filter by stage to prioritize outreach and see stage conversion rates.