When I first launched my startup, I did what almost every founder does: I installed Google Analytics.
It’s the default. Everyone says you need it.
But after weeks of trying to use it, I realized something: I was drowning in dashboards and graphs, yet still couldn’t answer the only question that mattered to me:
👉 “Which post or link is actually bringing me new signups?”
The Problem With Google Analytics
Don’t get me wrong, Google Analytics is powerful. If you’re running a big e-commerce store or managing multiple ad campaigns, it’s probably the right tool.
But for a solo founder like me, it felt like trying to fly a Boeing 747 when all I needed was a bicycle.
Too many menus, metrics, and jargon.
Hard to set up funnels or events without hours of tweaking.
I just wanted clarity, but GA buried me in noise.
The truth? Most early-stage founders don’t need more data.
We need the right data.
What I Actually Needed
At the early stage, growth comes from experiments:
Posting on Reddit
Sharing a thought on X
Answering a question on Quora
Dropping your link in a directory
The question is: which of these experiments is working?
I didn’t need heatmaps, bounce rates, or conversion paths.
I just needed to know: “Did this specific post bring me signups?”
That’s it.
The Breaking Point
One morning, after wrestling with GA for the hundredth time, I realized I was spending more time learning an analytics tool than growing my startup.
That’s when it clicked:
If the tools don’t fit the stage I’m in, maybe I should build one that does.
Building My Own Traction Tool
So I built something lightweight:
Instead of setting up complex events, I create a custom link for every post or share.
I group these links into channels (e.g., Reddit posts, Twitter DMs, directories).
When someone clicks, I instantly know which post brought them in.
No dashboards. No endless graphs. Just clear answers to simple questions.
What I Learned
Ditching Google Analytics taught me something important about traction:
It’s not about tracking everything. It’s about tracking the few things that matter right now.
For me, one experiment showed that a single Reddit comment outperformed 10 polished blog posts. That insight shifted how I approached growth.
When you know exactly what’s working, you can stop guessing and start doubling down.
Closing Thoughts
If you’re an early-stage founder, don’t let complex tools slow you down.
Focus on clarity, not noise.
That’s why I ditched Google Analytics and why I built my own traction tool to grow with less guesswork.
👉 If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by analytics and just wanted to know which post is actually working, you’ll understand exactly why I built Reddimon
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