What it means
In affiliate marketing, cost per acquisition (cpa) the total cost to acquire one customer through affiliate marketing, including commissions and program overhead. A key metric for measuring affiliate program efficiency.
Why it matters
Whether you're launching a new affiliate program or scaling an existing one, understanding cost per acquisition (cpa) helps you make better decisions about commission structures, partner recruitment, and growth tactics. Most SaaS founders run into this concept early and benefit from a clear mental model before they start building.
See also
Related terms in the affiliate marketing glossary that connect to cost per acquisition (cpa):
- Cost Per Click (CPC) -- A payment model where affiliates earn a fixed amount for each click on their affiliate link, regardless of whether th...
- Cost Per Lead (CPL) -- A payment model where affiliates earn a commission for each qualified lead they generate, such as a form submission, ...
- Coupon Code -- A discount code assigned to an affiliate that tracks conversions even without a tracking link click. Customers enter ...