What kind of data should I track first?

The Short Answer

Start with four basics: where your customers come from, what it costs to get them, what they buy, and whether they come back. These four answer the most important questions about whether your business is working and where to invest next. Master them before you add anything more sophisticated.

Resist the Urge to Track Everything

It is tempting to measure dozens of things, but more metrics usually mean less clarity. Early on, a handful of numbers you actually understand and act on will serve you far better than a crowded dashboard you ignore. Start narrow, build the habit, and expand only when a real question demands it.

The Four to Start With

Source: where did each customer come from, so you know which channels actually work? Cost: roughly what does it take in time or money to acquire one, so you know what is sustainable? Purchase: what did they buy and for how much, so you see which offers drive value? Retention: did they come back or refer someone, so you know if you are building something durable? These four cover acquisition, economics, and loyalty.

Why These Four

Together they tell you the essential story of your business: whether you can attract the right people, whether you can do it profitably, what they value, and whether they stay. Almost every early growth decision traces back to one of these numbers. Get them right and you have a foundation to build on.

Keep It Simple to Start

A spreadsheet is plenty at first. The discipline of recording these four consistently matters more than any tool. Once the habit is solid and your questions grow, you can layer in more detail.

Where to Start

The Growth Navigator free tier helps you set up these core numbers around a clear offer. The Pro tier ($747/mo) adds a deeper diagnostic. Start free.