Sales Cycle
The sequence of stages a prospect goes through from initial contact to closed deal.
Definition
The sales cycle encompasses all steps in converting a prospect to a customer: prospecting, initial contact, qualification, presentation, handling objections, negotiation, and closing. Sales cycle length varies by deal size, industry, and complexity—from days for simple purchases to months or years for enterprise deals.
Why It Matters
Understanding your sales cycle helps with forecasting, resource planning, and identifying bottlenecks. Shorter cycles improve cash flow and efficiency. Tracking cycle length by segment reveals which deals close faster and why.
Examples
- SMB SaaS: 14-30 day average sales cycle
- Mid-market: 30-90 day average sales cycle
- Enterprise: 6-12+ month sales cycle
How Bullseye Helps
Bullseye shortens sales cycles by enabling earlier engagement. When you reach out while prospects are actively researching—not after they've already decided—you influence the evaluation rather than react to it.
Related Terms
Lead Scoring
A methodology for ranking prospects based on their likelihood to become customers using demographic and behavioral criteria.
Sales Intelligence
Data and insights that help sales teams identify, understand, and engage with potential customers more effectively.
Pipeline Velocity
A metric measuring how quickly deals move through your sales pipeline and convert to revenue.
Sales Qualified Lead (SQL)
A prospect that has been vetted by the sales team and deemed ready for direct sales engagement.
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Related Use Cases
Lead Generation
Generate leads from your website without forms by identifying anonymous visitors.
Sales Intelligence
Real-time intelligence on website visitors for proactive sales outreach.
Account-Based Marketing (ABM)
Identify individuals from target accounts visiting your site for ABM programs.
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