In the marketing funnel, which stage represents the customer’s intent to purchase?

• A. Awareness
• B. Interest
• C. Intent
• D. Loyalty

Answer: (C)

This question tests how to read where a customer stands in the funnel by their readiness to buy. The moment a shopper moves from exploring and comparing to taking concrete steps toward purchasing signals intent. Actions like comparing options, adding a product to the cart, requesting a quote, or starting checkout show they’ve formed a purchase plan and are about to convert. Awareness is just noticing the product, and Interest is gathering information without a purchase commitment. Loyalty comes after purchase, reflecting repeat use or advocacy, not the decision to buy. So, the stage that best matches “the customer’s intent to purchase” is the point where those purchase-oriented actions appear—intent.