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Average Sales Cycle Length by Industry: 2025

Our team conducted a comprehensive study of the average sales cycle length by industry, with further segmentation based on the sales cycle stage. We have also presented information for the average sales cycle length based on the company size of the prospect, the sales channel, and the complexity of the product. 

You’ll notice that we have left product prices off our list of analyses. While we examined this metric, we concluded that there was insufficient data to segment based on price point, as price point does not directly influence the sales cycle length, but rather the percentage of price to the prospect’s revenue. 

 

Average Sales Cycle Length by Industry & Pipeline Stage

We’ve compiled the average sales cycle length by industry, further broken down by pipeline stage to help sales teams set realistic expectations and spot potential bottlenecks.

The Average Sales Cycle Length by Industry & Pipeline Stage – 2025

Industry Initial Contact (days) Proposal (days) Negotiation (days) Closing (days) Total (days)
Software 14 30 25 21 90
Manufacturing 18 45 35 32 130
Healthcare 22 35 40 28 125
Financial Services 16 28 30 24 98
Retail 10 20 22 18 70
Technology 20 38 33 30 121
Consulting 17 32 28 26 103
Education 25 40 32 29 126
Real Estate 15 36 30 24 105
Telecommunications 14 33 29 27 103
Hospitality 12 25 26 22 85
Logistics 20 35 34 28 117
Energy 30 50 40 35 155
Pharmaceuticals 28 45 42 38 153
Automotive 16 33 28 27 104
Construction 22 42 37 33 134
Media & Entertainment 18 38 31 28 115
Agriculture 27 48 30 29 134
Non-Profit 35 55 38 34 162
Insurance 20 40 35 32 127

 

Average Sales Cycle Length by Company Size

Below, you’ll find sales cycle durations organized by prospect company size, giving industry-agnostic insights for targeting different market segments.

The Average Sales Cycle Length by Company Size – 2025

Prospect Company Size Initial Contact (days) Proposal (days) Negotiation (days) Closing (days) Total (days)
1-10 Employees 7 14 10 7 38
11-50 Employees 10 20 15 12 57
51-200 Employees 14 25 20 18 77
201-500 Employees 18 30 25 22 95
501-1000 Employees 22 35 30 28 115
1001-5000 Employees 28 40 35 32 135
5001-10,000 Employees 35 45 40 38 158
10,001+ Employees 40 50 50 45 185

 

Average Sales Cycle Length by Sales Channel & Complexity of Product

In the table below, we analyze how different sales channels and product complexity levels impact sales cycle duration, revealing the significant advantages of inbound versus outbound approaches.

The Average Sales Cycle Length by Sales Channel & Complexity of Product – 2025

Sales Channel Low Complexity (days) Medium Complexity (days) High Complexity (days)
SEO 28 50 75
Google Ads 34 55 80
Email Marketing 42 60 85
Cold Calling 60 85 110
Social Media Outreach 48 72 95
Direct Mail 65 90 120
Content Marketing 38 68 95
PPC (other than Google Ads) 36 62 92
Trade Shows 80 100 150
Webinars 45 80 130
Partnerships/Affiliates 30 60 105
Referrals 20 35 60

Our findings were particularly interesting, as inbound channels drastically cut the sales cycle length, whereas outbound channels extended it, requiring a greater degree of rapport to be built before true selling could occur.

 

Sales Cycle Length by Deal Size (ACV)

The following data shows the correlation between deal size and sales cycle length, confirming that larger contracts typically require more time and resources to close.

The Sales Cycle Length by Deal Size (ACV) – 2025

Deal Size (ACV) Average Sales Cycle (days)
< $1,000 25
$1,000 – $5,000 40
$5,000 – $10,000 55
$10,000 – $50,000 75
$50,000 – $100,000 120
$100,000 – $250,000 170
$250,000 – $500,000 220
> $500,000 270

What we found confirms a key sales principle: larger deals nearly always demand more time and resources to close. Small-ticket deals under $10,000 often close within weeks, while enterprise-level deals can take nearly a year to finalize. 

Understanding this correlation allows teams to more accurately forecast sales and allocate appropriate resources based on potential value.

 

How to Shorten Your Sales Cycle Length

The length of the sales cycle depends on how long it takes for the prospect to become fully convinced that you are the solution to their want, need, or desire. This generally happens in two stages, as the prospect must trust you personally first, and then they must trust that your delivery mechanism will achieve their desired result. 

Trust Milestones
Trust in You Buyers assess you before they assess your offer.
Position yourself as an expert who understands their world.
Relevance shows you’ve done your homework.
Feeling understood reduces friction and speeds up the sale.
Trust in Your Process Buyers need proof that your system works, not generic promises.
Each sales asset should remove a specific fear or doubt.
Clear process steps reduce hesitation and delays.
The more your process aligns with theirs, the faster they buy.

For example, let’s pretend for a moment you own a manufacturing company making small components to assemble final products for other companies. A prospect must initially believe that you are trustworthy before they allow you to sell them on the promise that your company can make their needed components to spec, deliver on time, etc. 

To do this, the most important factors are what we refer to as sales assets. A sales asset is comprised of any sources of proof that you can deliver what you say you can deliver. The following are examples of sales assets:

*Each of the above is linked to an example

 

Why Sales Assets Need to Be Specific

Each sales asset functions as evidence that validates your ability to deliver promised results. The primary function of every sales asset is risk reduction for the buyer. Elite sellers distinguish themselves through specificity in their proof points:

  • The more specific your proof is to the buyer’s exact situation, the more powerful it becomes
  • Generic trust signals provide minimal reassurance to discerning buyers
  • When sales assets directly address unique challenges, they build genuine confidence
  • Your goal extends beyond demonstrating understanding—paint a clear picture of successful outcomes

Consider this practical example: A widget manufacturer might possess extensive client testimonials across various industries. However, when selling to agricultural businesses, testimonials specifically from other farmers who achieved measurable improvements carry significantly more persuasive weight.

The closer your proof mirrors the prospect’s exact situation, industry, and challenges, the faster you progress toward closing the sale. This principle applies across all sales assets: case studies from similar company sizes, testimonials from identical use cases, and process explanations that address specific implementation concerns all accelerate the trust-building process that drives sales cycle velocity.

 

Further Reading & Next Steps

Our team specializes in developing sales assets and strategic content to convert prospects into customers. We take the time to learn the aspects of your business that are the true selling points and convey that to prospects during the sales process in the right order, at the right time. To learn more about this, see the following further reading:

For any further questions, we invite you to contact us on our Contact Us page.

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