The most common different types of sales channels include direct sales (selling to customers yourself), indirect sales (through partners, distributors, or resellers), online sales (e-commerce, marketplaces), wholesale, retail, and hybrid models that combine several of these. The right mix of different sales channels depends on your product, target audience, and growth goals.

An effective sales distribution strategy starts with understanding your customer, selecting the right selling channels, training your partners properly, and tracking performance with clear KPIs. Many companies fail because they skip the training and alignment steps. That's exactly where our program at RoofTop Sales fills the gap — we help you build and execute a channel strategy that delivers measurable results.

A sales channel focuses on how you sell — the methods and touchpoints used to close deals with customers. A distribution channel focuses on how you deliver — the logistics and intermediaries that move your product from production to the end buyer. In practice, sales channel distribution often combines both, since your partners handle selling and delivery together.

Channel conflict happens when multiple partners compete for the same customers or undercut each other on pricing. You can reduce it by clearly defining territories, setting consistent pricing policies, aligning incentives, and maintaining open communication across your selling channels. Our distribution channel sales training gives leaders the frameworks to proactively manage and prevent conflict.