We needed post-subscription signals but did not want to build a full data stack. By keeping onboarding and checkout on the web we captured richer downstream events and could tie them back to the original campaign and offer.
The web funnel analytics showed early usage patterns that predicted churn. That let us run targeted win-backs and adjust pricing for better LTV without complex ETL work.
If you wanted one metric to monitor first after a paid sign up what would it be and why?
I track first week active time. If users are not opening or not using key features in the first week they usually churn.
The web funnel helped us map that early activity back to the campaign that drove the user so we could tweak targeting and the onboarding sequence.
I watch 7 day retention and initial depth of use.
Using web funnel analytics I can tie those signals back to offers and creatives. That lets me optimise for long term revenue not just conversion. Fix the early usage habits and LTV follows.
For me it was 7 day retention.
It tells you quickly whether people get value after paying and gives a direct way to test onboarding changes.
First week retention
It predicts ltv
Start with a short retention window tied to key actions. I prefer 7 day active users on the core feature that drives value. If paid users do not reach that threshold you will struggle with LTV. With web funnel analytics you can correlate that early behavior to campaign and offer and then optimise the funnel. That approach is faster than waiting for long term cohorts.
I would monitor first week usage.
It shows if the onboarding worked.