Measuring ROI of SaaS and Marketplace Partnerships Isn’t Optional—It’s Essential.

1. Start with Clear Objectives
   Define what success looks like for each partnership. Without specific goals—like increasing user acquisition by 20% or boosting revenue by 15%—you’ll struggle to measure ROI effectively. Goals align teams and clarify expectations.

2. Track Key Performance Metrics (KPIs)
   Common KPIs for SaaS and marketplace partnerships include customer acquisition cost (CAC), customer lifetime value (LTV), and conversion rates. Tracking these metrics over time will reveal which partnerships are paying off and which need improvement.

3. Monitor User Engagement
   Beyond acquisition, how engaged are users from each partnership? Are they repeat users, or do they churn quickly? High engagement and low churn rates signal that the partnership attracts the right audience.

4. Calculate Net Revenue Per Partnership
   It’s tempting to focus on top-line revenue, but the true ROI lies in net revenue after costs. Factor in the time, resources, and support costs invested in each partnership to understand its real value.

5. Set Up Periodic Reviews
   Partnerships aren’t static. Set quarterly or biannual check-ins to evaluate performance against goals. This keeps both parties accountable and allows for course correction if needed.

6. Use Attribution Models
   Implement attribution models like first-touch, last-touch, or multi-touch attribution. These models help trace customer journeys, highlighting the role each partnership played in acquisition or conversion.

In SaaS and marketplace partnerships, tracking ROI isn’t just a task—it’s a strategy.