Ending Soon! Save 33% on All Access

The Key to Converting Online Sales Leads: Speed Sales are the lifeblood of any business. When you get a lead, act fast to convert him or her into a paying customer.

By Jason Fell

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

When a sales lead rolls in via your website, there's a process to converting that lead into money for your business. As Entrepreneur.com contributor Grant Cardone points out, it can take up to eight follow up attempts just to qualify the lead, and 80 percent of all transactions require five to 12 follow-ups.

Wow. That's a lot. And if you're slow to get this process started, your lead could wind up taking his or her business elsewhere.

"The faster you can respond, the better chance of converting and qualifying [a sales lead]," Cardone says. "The first company that follows up gets 50 percent of the business."

And the key to increasing your speed in following up with leads is to utilize every communication tool you have available. Don't just rely on phone calls and leaving voicemails. Email. Text. Send smoke signals and carrier pigeons if you have to.

"If you have the data to text a client within the first five minutes of contact, your chances of conversion go up almost 300 times," Cardone says.

Then, as soon as you get that lead, ask for the business, Cardone says. For more insight on converting sales leads, check out the short video above.

Related:

Your Survival Depends on Following Up on Internet Leads -- Fast

Grant Cardone's 5 Tips for Closing the Big Sale on the Phone

Jason Fell

VP, Native Content

Jason Fell is the VP of Native Content, managing the Entrepreneur Partner Studio, which creates dynamic and compelling content for our partners. He previously served as Entrepreneur.com's managing editor and as the technology editor prior to that.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Business News

'Creators Left So Much Money on the Table': Kickstarter's CEO Reveals the Story Behind the Company's Biggest Changes in 15 Years

In an interview with Entrepreneur, Kickstarter CEO Everette Taylor explains the decision-making behind the changes, how he approaches leading Kickstarter, and his advice for future CEOs.

Business Ideas

87 Service Business Ideas to Start Today

Get started in this growing industry, with options that range from IT consulting to childcare.

Business Models

How to Become an AI-Centric Business (and Why It's Crucial for Long-Term Success)

Learn the essential steps to integrate AI at the core of your operations and stay competitive in an ever-evolving landscape.

Marketing

5 Steps to Preparing an Engaging Industry Presentation

You can make a great impression and generate interest with an exciting, informative presentation. Find out my five secrets to creating an industry presentation guaranteed to wow.