The Sales Funnel Explained: How Branded Merchandise Drives Brand Awareness and Ultimately Sales

• 6th October 2023
• Blog / Brand / Branded windbreaks / Deckchairs / Promotional items

Building brand awareness and driving sales are top priorities for any company, and branded merchandise, including printed windbreaks and parasols, can play a pivotal role within your business’s sales funnel.

Before we dive into the role of branded merchandise in the sales process, let’s briefly define what the sales funnel is. The sales funnel is a visual representation of a customer journey, from initial awareness of your brand or product to the final conversion, whether that’s making a purchase, signing up for a newsletter, or taking another desired action. Typically, it is divided into several stages:

1. Awareness: At the top of the funnel, potential customers become aware of your brand or product through various marketing channels, such as social media, advertising, or word-of-mouth.
2. Interest: In this stage, individuals who are aware of your brand begin to show interest and engage with your content. They may visit your website, sign up for newsletters, or follow you on social media.
3. Consideration: At this point, prospects are actively considering your product or service. They may compare it with alternatives and seek more information to make an informed decision.
4. Conversion: The conversion stage is where the actual purchase happens. Customers decide to buy your product or service, becoming paying customers.
5. Loyalty and Advocacy: After a successful purchase, some customers become loyal to your brand and may even become advocates who promote your products or services to others.

Branded Merchandise and Brand Awareness

Now, let’s explore how branded merchandise can influence each stage of the sales funnel, starting with brand awareness.

1. Awareness Stage: At the top of the funnel, branded merchandise can be a powerful tool for creating initial brand awareness. Promotional products such as printed parasols in pub gardens or branded beach windbreaks can help your brand stand out and get noticed.
2. Interest Stage: As individuals become aware of your brand from seeing your branded products, they are more likely to show interest. High-quality and aesthetically pleasing branded merchandise can pique curiosity and encourage potential customers to learn more about your offerings.
3. Consideration Stage: Branded merchandise can be used strategically to provide additional information about your products.

Incorporating branded merchandise, such as printed parasols, into your marketing strategy can have a profound impact on the various stages of the sales funnel. From creating initial brand awareness to driving sales, the right merchandise can be a valuable asset. So, consider how branded merchandise can fit into your marketing efforts and watch it contribute to your brand’s awareness and sales growth.