> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.upstackdata.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Cost per Signup Started: Track Registration Intent Cost

> Track the average ad spend per signup started event. Calculate how much you spend to generate each registration initiation.

<Tip>
  Cost per Signup Started measures the average advertising spend required to generate one signup initiation event.
</Tip>

## Formula

<Info>
  **Cost per Signup Started** = **Channel Spend** ÷ **Signup Started Events**
</Info>

### Formula Components

| Metric                                                                     | Definition                              |
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------- |
| **Channel Spend**                                                          | Total advertising spend across channels |
| [**Signup Started**](/reference/metrics/funnel/conversions/signup-started) | Total signup initiation events          |

| Metadata        |                         |
| --------------- | ----------------------- |
| **Type**        | Currency                |
| **Data Source** | [Upstack Pixel](/pixel) |
| **Aggregation** | Ratio                   |

***

## Example

Your B2B SaaS spent **\$8,000** on ads and generated **400 signup started** events this month.

| Channel    | Spend       | Signups Started | Cost per Signup Started |
| ---------- | ----------- | --------------- | ----------------------- |
| Google Ads | \$4,000     | 180             | \$22.22                 |
| LinkedIn   | \$3,000     | 150             | \$20.00                 |
| Facebook   | \$1,000     | 70              | \$14.29                 |
| **Total**  | **\$8,000** | **400**         | **\$20.00**             |

***

## How It Works

This metric divides your total channel spend by the number of signup started events. It measures the cost of generating registration intent, helping you understand top-of-funnel acquisition efficiency before accounting for signup completion rates.

***

## When to Use

| Scenario              | Action                                   |
| --------------------- | ---------------------------------------- |
| Top-funnel efficiency | Measure cost to generate signup intent   |
| Channel comparison    | Identify best channels for signup intent |
| Budget allocation     | Optimize spend across channels           |
| Funnel economics      | Calculate full funnel acquisition cost   |

***

## Related Metrics

| Metric                                                                                       | Relationship                |
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------- |
| [Signup Started](/reference/metrics/funnel/conversions/signup-started)                       | Count of signup initiations |
| [Cost per Signup Completed](/reference/metrics/funnel/conversions/cost-per-signup-completed) | Cost for completed signups  |
| [Signup Started Value](/reference/metrics/funnel/conversions/signup-started-value)           | Value of signup initiations |

[See all Conversions metrics →](/reference/metrics/funnel/conversions)