How to Create Multiple Sales Pipelines in Bigin?
What Does This Guide Cover? (Quick Summary)
Most businesses sell in more than one way, so a single pipeline soon feels too crowded. Bigin by Zoho CRM solves this with Team Pipelines and sub-pipelines. This guide explains the difference between the two, shows how to create each one, and covers stages, fields, permissions, and plan limits. It also explains how to move records, rename stages, and delete pipelines safely. Follow these steps to give every sales process its own clear pipeline.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Goal | Run several sales processes in one Bigin account |
| Main tools | Team Pipelines and sub-pipelines |
| Who can create them | Users with the Administrator profile |
| Where to work | The Pipelines module |
| Key limits | Stages per pipeline, pipelines per plan, fields per sub-pipeline |
Why Should You Create Multiple Pipelines in Bigin?
A single pipeline forces every deal through the same stages. That approach fails when you sell different products, serve different customer types, or run separate teams. Retail deals may close in days, while corporate deals need proposals, legal review, and several approvals.
Zoho explains the problem plainly. Most CRMs offer homogeneous pipelines that visualize only one type of record, so users can manage only one type of customer operation in the tool. Bigin’s multi-dimensional approach lets you build dedicated pipelines for different business processes, each with its own fields, record types, stages, and profile permissions.
What Business Benefits Do Multiple Pipelines Deliver?
- Clearer stages: Each process shows only the steps that matter to it.
- Better reporting: Conversion and revenue data stay separate by process.
- Focused teams: Each team sees the pipeline that fits its work.
- Less clutter: Deals no longer sit in irrelevant stages.
- One source of truth: All customer data stays inside a single Bigin account.
What Is the Difference Between Team Pipelines and Sub-Pipelines?
Bigin uses two levels, and the difference matters when you plan your setup. Zoho’s announcement describes sub-pipelines as the earlier multi-pipeline feature that sits inside each Team Pipeline.
What Is a Team Pipeline?
A Team Pipeline covers a whole business operation, such as sales, onboarding, support, or refunds. Each Team Pipeline can store its own kind of record. For example, Zoho describes Zylker Cars using Team Pipelines for Sales, Service, Testimonials, Refunds, and Test Rides, which store Deals, Job cards, Testimonials, Refunds, and Test Rides. Each Team Pipeline can have its own fields, stages, and profile permissions.
What Is a Sub-Pipeline?
A sub-pipeline sits inside a Team Pipeline and differs by stages. Use sub-pipelines when one business process has different stage sets. Zoho’s example gives Zylker Cars two sub-pipelines inside its Sales Pipeline, one for retail sales and one for corporate sales.
| Feature | Team Pipeline | Sub-Pipeline |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | A distinct business operation | A variation of one process |
| Records | Its own record type | Same record type as its parent |
| Stages | Own stages | Own stages |
| Fields | Own fields | Shared within the Team Pipeline |
| Permissions | Set by profile | Inherited from the Team Pipeline |
Which One Should You Choose for Multiple Sales Pipelines?
If you simply sell in two or three different ways, create sub-pipelines inside one Sales Team Pipeline. If you also run non-sales processes, such as onboarding or support, add separate Team Pipelines. Plan this structure on paper before you build anything.
What Limits Apply to Pipelines in Bigin?
Check the limits first, since they shape your design.
Which Pipeline Limits Does Bigin Set?
Zoho’s help page lists these availability rules and limits:
| Limit | Detail |
|---|---|
| Team Pipelines per org | Express: 3; Premier: 5; a higher tier lists 15, including 4 default pipelines. |
| Add-on | Extra Team Pipelines cost 5 USD each |
| Sub-pipelines | Up to 5 multiplied by the number of Team Pipelines |
| Stages per pipeline | Up to 25, including default stages |
| Open stages | At least 2 required |
| Closed stages | Up to 5, or none |
| Custom fields | Up to 25 per sub-pipeline |
For example, an organization with three Team Pipelines can create up to 15 sub-pipelines. The number per Team Pipeline can vary, so one pipeline may hold two sub-pipelines while another holds five.
Why Should You Confirm Limits in Your Account?
Zoho changes plans and limits over time, and older announcements list different numbers. Confirm the current figures in your account or with Zoho before you finalize your structure.
How Do You Create a Team Pipeline from Scratch?
Only users with the Administrator profile can create Team Pipelines. Bigin also creates a default Team Pipeline from the template you pick during sign-up, so you start with one already in place.
Step 1: How Do You Start the New Pipeline?
Open the Pipelines module, click the Add button, and select New Team Pipeline. In the Create from scratch section, click Start Creating.
Step 2: How Do You Fill in the Basic Info?
Enter the pipeline name, choose an icon, and enter names for the records in plural and singular, such as “Deals” and “Deal.” Then select the profiles that can access this pipeline. This permission step controls who sees the pipeline, so choose carefully.
Step 3: How Do You Define the Stages?
In the Stages section, enter the open stages and closed stages. Use the add and delete icons to adjust the list. Remember the rules: keep at least two open stages, and use no more than five closed stages. A typical sales pipeline might use Qualified, Proposal Sent, Negotiation, Closed Won, and Closed Lost.
Step 4: How Do You Choose the Fields?
In the Fields stage, remove fields you do not need and add fields from the unused column. You can also create custom fields with the Custom Field button. If your deals involve products, add the Associated Products section, which lets you enter line items with quantity, price, and discount.
Step 5: How Do You Save the Pipeline?
Click Save. Your new Team Pipeline appears in the Pipelines module, ready for records.
How Do You Clone a Pipeline from a Template?
Templates speed up the process. Open the Pipelines module, click the Add button, choose New Team Pipeline, and click Pick a Template in the Clone from a Template section. Select a template and click Use this Template. You can customize the result afterward.
How Many Templates Does Bigin Offer?
A Zoho community announcement from 2023 mentioned more than 25 predefined pipeline templates covering many use cases. The library may have changed since then, so browse the current list in your account. Templates work well when your process resembles a common pattern, such as real estate or services.
How Do You Create Sub-Pipelines Inside a Team Pipeline?
Sub-pipelines give you multiple sales pipelines inside one Team Pipeline. Follow these steps:
- Open the Pipelines module and select the Team Pipeline.
- Click the plus button at the bottom of the page.
- Enter the sub-pipeline name.
- Define the open and closed stages.
- Save your changes.
What Does a Real Example Look Like?
Zoho’s real estate use case shows the idea. Zylker Homes creates a Sales Team Pipeline with two sub-pipelines, “Sell property” and “Buy property,” because the stages differ slightly. They then add separate Team Pipelines for rentals and marketing campaigns. You can copy this pattern for your own business.
How Do You Rearrange Sub-Pipelines?
Drag and drop sub-pipelines to change their order. Put the pipeline your team uses most at the front, so people open it first.
How Do You Manage and Edit Pipelines After You Create Them?
Your process will evolve, so Bigin lets you edit pipelines without starting over.
How Do You Rename, Add, or Reorder Stages?
Hover over the Team Pipeline, click the more icon, and select Manage Stages. From there, you can rename a stage, add a new one, replace a stage with one from another pipeline, or drag stages into a new order. When you rename a stage that exists in several pipelines, Bigin asks whether the change applies only to the current sub-pipeline or to all of them.
How Do You Explain Stages to New Users?
Add a stage description of up to 255 characters. The description appears below the stage name and as a tooltip, so new team members understand each stage quickly. Write one short sentence that states the purpose and the expected action.
How Do You Move Many Records at Once?
Select several records from any pipeline and move them to a different stage, sub-pipeline, or Team Pipeline. This bulk move helps when you restructure your process. Bigin also offers a Connected Records feature that moves records automatically from one Team Pipeline to another.
What If a Sub-Pipeline Needs to Become a Team Pipeline?
You can convert any sub-pipeline into a Team Pipeline. Provide the details needed to create a pipeline, and add the fields you require. This option helps when a side process grows into its own operation.
How Do You Control Who Sees Each Pipeline?
Permissions keep sales data in the right hands. Each Team Pipeline has access settings by profile. For example, Zoho describes giving a service team access to the Service pipeline alone, without access to Sales, Testimonials, Refunds, or Test Rides.
What Permission Strategy Works Best?
Give each team access to its own pipeline only. Allow managers broader access, and keep administrators limited to a few trusted people. Review these settings whenever someone changes roles.
How Do You Keep the Pipeline View Readable?
Use the Customize Cards option to choose up to six fields for each card. Collapse stages you do not need, and resize columns for comfort. A clean view helps reps update deals quickly.
How Do You Delete a Pipeline Safely?
Deleting a pipeline has serious consequences. Zoho states that deletion permanently removes the records in the pipeline, plus its workflows, email templates, tags, Email-In aliases, and stage transition rules.
What Should You Do Before You Delete?
Export the records first, then move any deals you want to keep into another pipeline. Hover over the Team Pipeline, click the more icon, and select Delete pipeline. Tick the confirmation box and click Delete Pipeline. To remove a sub-pipeline, hover over it, click the more icon, and choose Delete.
What Are the Best Practices for Multiple Pipelines?
A few habits keep your structure healthy.
How Do You Avoid Over-Complicating Your Setup?
- Start small: Create only the pipelines you need today.
- Use clear names: Name pipelines after the process, not the person.
- Limit stages: Keep each pipeline to a manageable number of stages.
- Align fields: Add only the fields your team actually fills in.
- Review quarterly: Remove unused stages and pipelines.
How Do You Measure Results Across Pipelines?
Track conversion rates, deal values, and cycle times for each pipeline separately. Bigin by Zoho CRM keeps all pipelines in one account, so you can compare them side by side. Use those comparisons to decide where to invest your team’s time.
How Can Solution for Guru Support Your Bigin Pipeline Setup?
Designing several pipelines takes planning, especially when permissions, fields, and automations interact. Solution for Guru is a CRM and software implementation consultancy that helps businesses map their sales processes, configure Bigin, and train their teams. Its specialists can design your pipeline structure, define stages and fields, and set up permissions correctly from the start. Professional planning reduces rework and keeps your reporting reliable.
What Are the Key Conclusions About Multiple Pipelines in Bigin?
Bigin handles multiple sales processes through Team Pipelines and sub-pipelines. Use Team Pipelines for separate operations, and use sub-pipelines for stage variations inside one process. Respect the limits on stages, fields, and pipelines, set permissions by profile, and export data before you delete anything.
Bigin by Zoho CRM gives small teams a flexible structure without the complexity of a large CRM. Start with a simple design, review it regularly, and adjust as your business grows. Confirm current limits and menu names in your account before you build, since Zoho updates its plans and features often.
Frequently Asked Questions
The limit depends on your edition. Zoho’s help page lists 3 Team Pipelines for Express and 5 for Premier, and it allows up to five sub-pipelines for each Team Pipeline in your organization. Extra Team Pipelines cost 5 USD each as an add-on. Confirm the current figures in your account.
Yes. You can select multiple records and move them to a different stage, sub-pipeline, or Team Pipeline. Bigin’s Connected Records feature can also move records between Team Pipelines automatically.
