Metrics that matter: What early-stage founders should actually be tracking

Learning goal

It’s easy to get distracted by numbers that look good but mean nothing.
Likes, page views, or downloads might feel exciting, but they don’t always reflect progress.

What truly matters are the numbers that show whether your startup is solving a problem, gaining traction, and moving toward sustainability.
Tracking the right metrics helps you make smarter decisions, pitch better, and grow with focus.

Why it matters

1. Not all metrics are created equal
   Vanity metrics make you feel good (likes, followers, app installs).
   Real metrics help you learn, improve, and grow.

Ask yourself:
“Does this number help me make a decision?”
If not, it’s probably not worth tracking—at least not yet.

2. Three key metric categories to track early
   engagement – are people using what you built?

• retention rate

• session length

• activation (for example, percent of users who complete a key action)

growth – are more people discovering and trying your product?

• new users or signups per week

• referral rate

• conversion rate from interest to use

revenue (or intent to pay) – are people willing to pay or commit?

• pre-orders

• average revenue per user (ARPU)

• number of paying users

You don’t need to track everything. Just pick 1 to 2 metrics in each category that reflect your current goal.

3. Set a baseline, then improve
   Your first numbers might not be impressive, and that’s okay.
   What matters is improvement.
   If you’re retaining 20 percent of users today, aim for 30 percent next month.

Track weekly, review trends, and ask:
“What can I do this week to move that number?”

4. Share metrics with your team (and investors)
   Good metrics make for better conversations.
   They show progress.
   They reveal what’s working.
   They highlight what to fix.

Share them in simple dashboards, team check-ins, or mentor syncs.

Quick checklist

• You’ve picked a few key metrics tied to your current goal

• You’re tracking learning, usage, or revenue, not just noise

• You review your numbers regularly and adjust your actions

• You’re sharing insights with your team or mentors

• You’re improving week by week, not guessing

What to do next / StellarPH tip

Pick one key metric this week and make it your team’s focus. Even if it’s small, move it. Then share what you learned.

The right metrics don’t just show growth, they drive it.