19+ Important KPIs For Small Business Owners To Track

As a small business owner, you are always working to improve your business and make it more successful. But how do you know if you’re on the right track? That’s where key performance indicators (KPIs) come in. 📶

KPIs are values that measure the performance of your business against specific goals. By tracking your KPIs, you can get a real-time understanding of how your business is doing and identify areas where you can improve.

This article will help you understand the main KPIs that small business owners should track. We will explain formulas and provide tools that can help you manage this process more easily.

Why small businesses need KPIs?

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are measurable values that help you track progress towards achieving your goals. For you, a small business owner, tracking KPIs is crucial for several reasons:

• Measuring your progress and success: KPIs provide a clear and objective way to measure how well you are performing against your goals. By metrics over time, you can identify areas of strength and weakness, and make data-driven decisions to improve your business.
• Making informed decisions: KPIs can help with decision-making across your business, from marketing and sales to operations and finance. By understanding how your KPIs are trending, you can make better decisions about allocating resources, investing in new initiatives, and responding to changes in the market.
• Prioritizing efforts: KPIs can help you prioritize your efforts and focus on the most important activities that will drive growth and success. By tracking the metrics that matter most to you, you can identify areas where you can make the most impact.
• Areas for improvement: identify areas where you can improve your business. Track trends and compare your performance to benchmarks, so you can spot areas where make changes to increase efficiency, reduce costs, or improve customer satisfaction.
• Demonstrate your value to stakeholders: present the value of your business to stakeholders, such as investors, lenders, and partners. By tracking and reporting on key metrics, you can show how your business is performing and the impact that you are making.

Importance of KPIs for small business owners infographic made by author

Tracking KPIs is not just about numbers on a spreadsheet; it’s about using data to drive continuous improvement and achieve your business goals. By regularly monitoring your KPIs and taking action based on the insights they provide, you can position your small business for success in the long term.

19 KPIs for Small Business

Today, we’re diving into the world of KPIs, specifically focusing on the different types that are crucial for small businesses like yours. Let’s explore each category and its key metrics, so you can start tracking and optimizing your business’s performance like a pro:

1. Revenue Growth
2. Profit Margin
3. Return on investment (ROI)
4. Gross Margin
5. Expense Ratio
6. Customer Lifetime Value (CLV)
7. Customer Acquisition Cost
8. Customer Churn Rate
9. Average Order Value
10. Customer Satisfaction
11. Conversion Rate (CR)
12. Lead Generation Rate
13. Sales Cycle Length
14. Average Sale Size
15. Website Traffic
16. Social Media Engagement
17. Email Marketing Open Rate
18. Email Marketing Click-Through Rate
19. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Ranking

18 KPIs for small business owners cheat sheet, infographic made by author

Financial KPIs: Keeping Your Business in the Black

Financial KPIs paint a picture of your business’s financial health, giving you insights into its revenue, profitability, and cash flow.

Data dashboard with financial KPIs for small business owners example from Ajelix BI

1. Revenue Growth

This metric measures the percentage increase in your total revenue over time. It’s a great indicator of your business’s ability to attract new customers and generate sales. To calculate your revenue growth, use the formula:

Revenue Growth = (Current Revenue - Previous Revenue) / Previous Revenue

2. Profit Margin

This KPI represents your business’s profitability, showing how much of your revenue you’re turning into profit. Large profit margin indicates a more efficient and profitable business. To calculate your profit margin, use the formula:

Profit Margin = (Net Profit / Revenue) * 100

3. Return on investment (ROI)

Measure the profitability or efficiency of an investment. It expresses the net gain or loss on an investment relative to the cost of the investment. A positive ROI indicates that the investment was profitable, while a negative ROI indicates that it was a loss.

ROI = (Gain from Investment - Cost of Investment) / Cost of Investment * 100%

4. Gross Margin

This KPI measures your profit before deducting operating expenses. It represents the percentage of revenue that remains after covering the cost of goods sold. To calculate your gross margin, use the formula:

Gross Margin = (Net Sales - Cost of Goods Sold) / Net Sales

5. Expense Ratio

This KPI tracks the proportion of your revenue that goes towards operating expenses. A lower expense ratio indicates a more efficient use of resources. To calculate your expense ratio, use the formula:

Expense Ratio = (Operating Expenses / Revenue) * 100

Customer KPIs: Building a Loyal Following

Customer KPIs help you understand your customers’ behavior, acquisition, retention, and satisfaction.

6. Customer Lifetime Value (CLV)

This metric represents the average revenue generated by a single customer over their lifetime. A high CLV indicates a valuable customer base that contributes significantly to your business’s profitability. To calculate your CLV, you’ll need to estimate the average customer lifespan and their average order value.

CLV = (Average Order Value * Average Customer Lifespan)

7. Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC)

This KPI measures the average cost of acquiring a new customer. A low CAC indicates you’re efficiently attracting and converting potential customers into paying customers. To calculate your CAC, consider all the costs associated with acquiring new customers, such as marketing campaigns, advertising, and sales commissions.

CAC = (Total Customer Acquisition Costs / Number of New Customers Acquired)

8. Customer Churn Rate

This metric indicates the percentage of customers who stop doing business with you over a given period. A high churn rate suggests customer dissatisfaction and the need for improvement. To calculate your churn rate, divide the number of customers who churned by the total number of customers.

Churn Rate = (Number of Churned Customers / Total Customer Base) * 100

9. Average Order Value (AOV)

This KPI measures the average amount of money spent per customer order. A high AOV suggests customers value your products or services and may be willing to pay a premium. To calculate your AOV, divide your total revenue by the number of orders placed.

AOV = (Total Revenue / Number of Orders)

10. Customer Satisfaction (CSAT)

This metric measures the level of satisfaction customers have with your products or services. A high CSAT indicates a loyal customer base that is likely to repurchase and refer others. To measure CSAT, collect feedback through surveys, reviews, or direct interactions with customers.

CSAT = (Number of Responses of 4 or 5 / Total Number of Responses) * 100

Sales KPIs: Converting Leads into Customers

As a business owner, you want to ensure your sales processes are efficient and converting leads into paying customers. Here are some essential sales KPIs to track:

11. Conversion Rate (CR)

This metric measures the percentage of leads that convert into sales. A high CR indicates that your sales and marketing efforts are generating high-quality leads.

Conversion Rate = (Number of Paying Customers / Number of Leads) * 100

12. Lead Generation Rate

This KPI measures the number of leads you generate per unit of time. A high lead generation rate suggests that your marketing efforts are attracting a significant number of potential customers.

Lead Generation Rate = (Number of Leads / Total Marketing Efforts)

13. Sales Cycle Length

This metric tracks the average time it takes to close a sale, from initial contact to purchase. A shorter sales cycle indicates a more streamlined and efficient sales process.

Sales Cycle Length = (Total Number of Days / Total Number of Sales)

14. Average Sale Size

This KPI measures the average amount of money you generate per sale. A higher average sale size suggests that your products or services are valuable and in demand.

Average Sale Size = (Total Revenue / Number of Sales)

By tracking these sales KPIs, you can identify areas where your sales team can improve and make data-driven decisions to optimize your sales process, enhance conversion rates, and achieve greater sales success.

Marketing KPIs: Assessing The Impact of Campaigns

Effective marketing campaigns are essential for driving business growth. Here are some key marketing KPIs to track:

15. Website Traffic

This KPI measures the number of visitors to your website, indicating the reach of your marketing efforts.

Website Traffic = (Number of Website Visitors)

16. Social Media Engagement

This metric tracks the level of interaction with your brand on social media platforms, showcasing customer engagement and loyalty.

Social Media Engagement = (Number of Likes, Shares, Comments, etc.)

17. Email Marketing Open Rate

This KPI measures the percentage of emails opened by recipients, indicating the effectiveness of your email marketing campaigns.

Email Marketing Open Rate = (Number of Opened Emails / Number of Emails Sent) * 100

18. Email Marketing Click-Through Rate

This metric tracks the percentage of emails clicked on, indicating the interest in your email content and the likelihood of further engagement.

Email Marketing Click-Through Rate = (Number of Clicked-Through Links / Number of Emails Sent) * 100

19. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Ranking

This KPI measures the position of your website on search engine results pages (SERPs), reflecting the visibility and relevance of your website to search queries.

SEO Ranking = (Position of Your Website on SERPs)

By monitoring these marketing KPIs, you can assess the effectiveness of your campaigns in driving website traffic, increasing customer engagement, and improving brand awareness. You can then make informed decisions to refine your marketing strategies, achieve your business goals, and ultimately drive business growth.

How To Select The Right KPIs for Your Business?

Infographic with 4 steps on how to select the right KPIs for your business, created by author

How To Track And Analyze KPIs?

Tracking and analyzing key performance indicators (KPIs) is essential for small businesses to make informed decisions, measure progress, and achieve their goals. Here are 8 steps on how to track and analyze KPIs for your small business:

1. Identify and Select Relevant KPIs

Assess your business goals, industry dynamics, and target market to identify the most relevant KPIs. Prioritize metrics that align with your objectives and have a significant impact on business success.

2. Establish Data Collection Methods

Determine the data sources that provide accurate and reliable information for tracking your selected KPIs. This may involve using internal systems, external tools, or manual data collection methods.

3. Set Baselines and Targets

Establish baseline values for each KPI to represent your current performance level. Set SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) targets for each KPI, indicating the desired improvement or achievement.

4. Track and Record Data Regularly

Implement a system for collecting and recording data for your chosen KPIs regularly. This could involve daily, weekly, monthly, or quarterly intervals depending on the nature of the KPI and the need for granularity.

Infographic with 8 steps on how to analyze and track KPIs for small business, created by author

5. Analyze and Compare Data

Use data analysis tools or spreadsheet software to analyze the collected data. Compare current performance against baselines and targets, identifying trends and patterns over time.

6. Identify Opportunities for Improvement

Based on the data analysis, identify areas where performance is below targets or where there are opportunities for improvement. Formulate action plans to address these areas and achieve your goals.

7. Continuous Monitoring and Adjustment

Regularly monitor KPI performance and adjust your strategies and targets as needed. The business environment is dynamic, so KPI tracking is an ongoing process.

8. Suggested Tools for KPI Tracking:

• Ajelix BI: Connect your data in one place and create nice-looking dashboards with ease.
• Google Analytics: Tracks website traffic, user behavior, and marketing campaign effectiveness.
• Power BI: Use advanced data analytics capabilities from various sources.
• HubSpot CRM: Tracks sales pipeline, lead generation, and customer interactions.
• Zoho Analytics: Write SQL’s, chat with AI, and create dashboards for KPI tracking.
• Zendesk: Tracks customer support interactions, satisfaction, and feedback.
• QuickBooks: Tracks financial performance, income, expenses, and profitability.
• Excel or Google Sheets: Use spreadsheets to manually track and analyze data.

Remember, KPI tracking is an ongoing process that requires consistent effort and adaptation. By carefully selecting, tracking, analyzing, and acting on KPI data, small businesses can make data-driven decisions to enhance their performance and achieve sustainable growth.

Conclusion

In summary, tracking these KPIs provides you with actionable insights for small business success. Regularly assess, adjust, and optimize your metrics, ensuring your business symphony is always playing in tune with your goals.

• Twitter
• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• Instagram
• YouTube

Ready to measure your KPIs with Ajelix BI?