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# How to add, rename, reorganize or delete stages in a pipeline?

# How to add, rename, reorganize or delete stages in a pipeline?

**Reading time:** 2 min

**Quick summary:** Each pipeline contains stages (columns). You can fully customize them: add, rename, reorganize by drag-and-drop, or delete according to your needs.

---

## Default stages

When pipeline is created, Novalya automatically generates **3 stages** with generic names:
- Stage 1
- Stage 2
- Stage 3

| These stages are a starting point you can immediately customize.

---

## Rename a stage

**To rename existing stage:**

1. On concerned stage, click **⋯** menu (three dots)
2. Click **"Rename"**
3. Enter new name
4. Validate

| Change is immediate.

### Effective stage name examples

**For sales pipeline:**
- Contacted
- Quote sent
- Negotiation
- Won
- Lost

**For MLM pipeline:**
- Cold prospect
- Interested
- Presented
- Distributor
- Leader

**For tracking pipeline:**
- To contact
- Conversation ongoing
- 7-day follow-up
- 30-day follow-up
- Archive

---

## Add a stage

**To create new stage:**

1. Click **"Add stage"** (button visible in pipeline)
2. Give stage a name
3. Validate

| New stage immediately appears at end of pipeline.

### Best practices

**Recommended number of stages:** **3 to 6 stages** per pipeline

**Why not have too many:**
- Too many stages = unnecessary complexity
- Hard to maintain clear organization
- Risk of contacts "lost" in micro-stages

| If you need more granularity: Rather create new pipeline.

---

## Reorganize stages

You can reorganize stages via **drag-and-drop** to adapt order to your process.

**How to do it:**

1. Click and hold on stage name
2. Drag left or right
3. Release at desired position

| Order changes immediately. Contacts stay in their stages - only visual order changes.

### Reorganization example

**Before:**
```
Contacted → Follow-up → Conversation → Converted
```

**After logical reorganization:**
```
Contacted → Conversation → Follow-up → Converted
```

---

## Delete a stage

**To delete a stage:**

1. Click **⋯** menu (three dots) on stage
2. Click **"Delete"**
3. Confirm deletion

| Stage is deleted.

### What happens to contacts in this stage?

When you delete stage containing contacts:

Contacts are **automatically moved** to another stage in same pipeline (usually first stage).

|| Verify stage is empty or that you're ready to move contacts before deleting.

### Warning

||| Depending on your organization, only delete stage if you no longer need it. Deleting key stage can complicate your tracking.

| Recommendation: Rather than delete, **rename or reorganize** if stage no longer fits.

---

## Best practices (recommended)

### Efficient organization

**Simple and effective example (4 stages):**

```
Pipeline "Prospects"
├─ Contacted
├─ Conversation
├─ Follow-up needed
└─ Converted
```

**Why it works:**
- Clear and linear
- Easy to maintain
- Covers entire journey

---

**Advanced example (6 stages):**

```
Pipeline "Sales pipeline"
├─ Incoming lead
├─ First contact
├─ Quote sent
├─ Negotiation
├─ Won
└─ Lost
```

**Why it works:**
- Detailed without being complex
- Allows precise tracking
- Won/Lost separation for analytics

---

### To avoid

**Too many stages (10+):**
```
❌ Contacted → Responded → Interested → Very interested → 
   Quote requested → Quote sent → Quote reviewed → 
   Quote modified → Negotiation → ...
```

**Why it's problematic:**
- Useless micro-stages
- Hard to maintain
- Contacts "lost"

**Solution:** Group into broader stages or use notes in contact profile.

---

## Concrete examples by sector

### Coach / Consultant

```
Pipeline "Coaching prospects"
├─ Discovery call scheduled
├─ Call completed
├─ Proposal sent
├─ Customer
└─ Not converted
```

---

### MLM / Direct sales

```
Pipeline "Distributors"
├─ Initial contact
├─ Presented
├─ Registered
├─ Training in progress
├─ Active
└─ Inactive
```

---

### E-commerce

```
Pipeline "Customers"
├─ First purchase
├─ Recurring customer
├─ VIP (3+ purchases)
├─ 30-day inactive
└─ Churn
```

---

## FAQ

**How many stages can I create per pipeline?**

There's no technical limit. However, we recommend **3 to 6 stages** to keep clear and efficient organization.

**Can I have stages with same name in different pipelines?**

Yes. Each pipeline is independent. You can have "Contacted" stage in multiple different pipelines.

**Are stages shared between Facebook and Instagram?**

No. Facebook CRM and Instagram CRM are **separate**. Facebook pipelines and stages don't exist on Instagram and vice versa.

**Can I copy complete pipeline with its stages?**

No, not directly. You must manually recreate pipeline and its stages. However, once created, you can easily reuse same structure.

**Do contacts change stages automatically?**

No. Contacts **never** change stages automatically. You must move them manually or via CRM campaign.

---

|| **Related articles:**
|| - How to create a pipeline and choose its color?
|| - How to manually move a contact between stages?
|| - How to send a campaign from CRM?
|| - What's the difference between pipeline, tag and stage?

---

## Need help?

If you have questions about stage management, our support team is available:

- **Email:** support@novalya.com
- **Ticket Center:** Available from your Novalya space

Our team aims to reply within 24 hours on business days.