So, your sales pipeline in Boostup is a mess. Or maybe it’s just “fine,” but you know it could be a lot better. Deals get stuck, sales reps skip stages, and you’re not sure if you can trust your forecast. Sound familiar? This guide is for you.
Customizing pipeline stages isn’t just a box to tick—done right, it means better deal tracking, fewer surprises, and way less time wasted in pipeline meetings. I’ll walk you through the real steps to make Boostup stages actually fit your sales process, not the other way around.
Ready? Let’s get your pipeline working for you, not against you.
Why customize pipeline stages in Boostup?
First, let’s get something out of the way: Boostup doesn’t magically fix your sales pipeline just by existing. It’s a good tool, but only if you set it up to match how your team actually works.
When you should customize: - Your reps are skipping steps, or always stuck in “Negotiation.” - You’re constantly asking “Wait, what does ‘Proposal Sent’ actually mean?” - Your forecast is a joke because deals are in the wrong stage. - You want to track deal progress the same way your team actually sells.
When you shouldn’t bother (yet): - You’re brand new to Boostup and still figuring out your process. - Your pipeline stages already make sense and reps follow them. - Your team is tiny and you don’t need much structure.
If the problems sound familiar, read on.
Step 1: Map your real sales process (before touching Boostup)
Don’t just copy some “best practices” pipeline you found online. If you skip this, you’ll end up with stages nobody uses—or worse, that hide real problems.
What to actually do: - Grab a pen, whiteboard, or doc. - Walk through how a deal really moves from prospect to close on your team. - List out the key steps—don’t overthink it, but be honest. - Ask your reps what actually happens (not just what’s supposed to).
Pro tips: - If you have more than 7 stages, you’re probably splitting hairs. - If you have less than 3, you’re not tracking enough. - Look for “dead zones” where deals stall—maybe you need a stage for that.
What to ignore: Fancy diagrams or generic templates. Focus on what your team actually does.
Step 2: Audit your current Boostup pipeline
Now, open up your Boostup account and look at the actual stages you have. Don’t assume they’re right.
Questions to ask: - Are there unused stages? (That’s a hint to delete.) - Are reps putting deals in the wrong stage just to move them forward? - Do the names make sense, or are they just “Discovery 1,” “Discovery 2,” etc.? - Are stages clearly defined, or does everyone have a different interpretation?
How to check: - Pull a pipeline report and see how deals are distributed. - Ask a couple of reps to show you how they move deals through the stages.
If you see confusion, it’s time to fix it.
Step 3: Get the right permissions
You can’t change pipeline stages in Boostup unless you have admin rights. No, there’s no workaround. If you’re not an admin, get one on board before you waste time planning.
Step 4: Edit, add, or remove pipeline stages in Boostup
Here’s where you actually make changes. Boostup’s interface is pretty straightforward, but you can get tripped up if you try to do too much at once.
How to update pipeline stages:
- Log in as an admin.
- Go to your “Settings” or “Pipeline Management” area (Boostup moves things around sometimes—if it’s not obvious, check their help docs).
- Find your current list of pipeline stages.
- For each stage:
- Rename it if needed (make it clear and unambiguous).
- Delete stages nobody uses.
- Add new stages you mapped in Step 1.
- Arrange the order to match your real sales flow (don’t just stick new ones at the end).
Naming tips: - Use simple, direct names (“Qualified,” “Proposal Sent,” “Contract Out”). - Avoid internal jargon or fluffy terms (“Level Set,” “Value Realization,” etc.). - If a stage’s meaning isn’t obvious, add a short description right in Boostup.
Pro tip: Less is more. If you’re arguing over whether to split a stage, you probably don’t need both.
Step 5: Define clear stage criteria (and write them down)
This is the step most teams skip, and it’s why pipelines become messy again in six months.
You need to decide: - What has to happen for a deal to move from one stage to the next? - Who is responsible for moving it? - What evidence or data should be attached (notes, docs, emails, etc.)?
How to do it: - For each stage, write a one-sentence rule (e.g., “Deal moves to ‘Proposal Sent’ once the customer receives a formal written proposal”). - Share these rules with your team—in writing. Put them in Boostup’s stage description field if you can.
Why bother? Without clear criteria, everyone does their own thing. The pipeline stops making sense, and your data’s worthless.
Step 6: Train your team (seriously)
Don’t just send out an email and hope for the best. If you want reps to use the new stages, you need to walk them through the changes.
What works: - Show real examples of deals at each stage. - Explain why you made the changes (and how it’ll help them, not just you). - Take questions—if a stage isn’t clear, fix it now.
What doesn’t:
- Telling everyone “the pipeline changed, check it out.”
- Making changes at the end of the quarter when everyone’s busy.
- Assuming everyone will read the documentation.
Pro tip: Have reps move a few deals together in a quick working session. You’ll catch problems fast.
Step 7: Monitor and adjust
You’re not done after launch. Use the first month as a trial run.
What to look for: - Are deals piling up in one stage? Figure out why. - Are reps still skipping stages or using them wrong? - Is your forecast more accurate, or still all over the place? - Are there new bottlenecks you didn’t expect?
How to adjust: - Make small tweaks, not giant overhauls. - Cut any stage nobody uses after a month. - If a stage is always skipped, either clarify its purpose or get rid of it.
Don’t:
- Change things every week (that just confuses everyone).
- Ignore feedback from your team—they see the real problems faster than you will.
Extra tips for better deal tracking in Boostup
- Automate when you can. If Boostup lets you auto-advance deals based on activity or data, use it sparingly. Automation’s great for busywork, but don’t let it mask real deal risk.
- Use required fields wisely. Forcing reps to fill out 10 fields to move a deal? That’s a good way to get fake data. Stick to what’s essential.
- Don’t chase 100% accuracy. Some deals will always fall through the cracks. Focus on making the pipeline directionally accurate, not perfect.
- Review quarterly, not yearly. Your sales process will change. So should your pipeline.
Keep it simple—and keep iterating
Customizing Boostup pipeline stages isn’t a one-and-done project. The goal isn’t to build a perfect pipeline, but one that actually helps you track deals and spot problems early. Start simple, fix what’s broken, and don’t be afraid to cut what doesn’t work.
Your future self (and your sales team) will thank you for keeping things real.