The optimal number varies. Here's why: 1. Business and complexity: The ideal number of stages depends on your specific business and the complexity of your sales cycle. A simpler B2C sale might have fewer stages than a complex B2B enterprise sale. 2. Focus on clarity: While having enough stages to track progress is important, avoid creating too many stages that become cumbersome and hinder clear visualization of your pipeline. 3. Customize for your needs: The stages listed in the blog post can be a starting point. Don't be afraid to customize them to reflect your specific sales process and terminology.