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David🚀
David🚀

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Why I Ditched Google Analytics for My Startup and Built My Own Traction Tool

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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