Analytics make optimizing the "viral loop" much easier, as described by Dave McClure: http://500hats.typepad.com/500blogs/2007/09/startup-metrics.html http://50

Analytics make optimizing the "viral loop" much easier, as described by Dave McClure: http://500hats.typepad.com/500blogs/2007/09/startup-metrics.html http://500hats.typepad.com/500blogs/2007/09/startup-metrics.... Of course when you can break this down by feature and integrate multivariate tests, ad campaigns (inbound and outbound if that is your thing,) and so on.. the numbers can get complex, quickly. Opinion & gut-based decisions are a terrible way to run a business. Numbers! You should be analyzing your numbers from day 0. I don't think that analytics should be an "eventually" thing, it should be deeply ingrained in your corporate culture from the start.