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CAC (Customer Acquisition Cost) - Definition, Formula, and Importance

What is CAC (Customer Acquisition Cost)?

Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC) measures the total expense required to attract and convert a new customer, including marketing, sales, and related costs. It’s calculated by dividing total acquisition expenses by the number of new customers gained during a specific period. This metric helps businesses evaluate marketing efficiency and return on investment in customer growth strategies.

What Goes Into It?

Marketing Costs

  • Advertising spend
  • Content creation
  • Social media campaigns
  • Email marketing

Sales Expenses

  • Sales team salaries
  • Commission payments
  • CRM software
  • Sales tools and training

The Math

CAC = Total Acquisition Costs ÷ New Customers

Example: Spent $10,000 on marketing/sales, got 100 new customers CAC = $10,000 ÷ 100 = $100 per customer

Why It Matters?

Shows if marketing is efficient
Helps price products right
Indicates business health
Guides growth decisions

Making It Better

Smart Targeting

Focus on audiences most likely to convert. Don’t waste money on wrong prospects.

Better Conversion

Improve your sales funnel. Make it easier for interested people to become customers.

Use Technology

Automate where possible. Track what works. Cut what doesn’t.

Common Issues

  • Hard to track all costs accurately
  • Long sales cycles complicate measurement
  • Multiple touchpoints make attribution tricky

Industry Differences

B2B usually has higher CAC than B2C
  • B2B: Longer sales cycle, more touchpoints
  • B2C: Faster decisions, lower touch
Remember: Good CAC varies by industry. Focus on trends and improvement rather than absolute numbers.

Mrs. Manju Diyya

Vice President – Tech
She is a versatile professional with a robust educational foundation spanning both the realms of chemical engineering and physical sciences. She holds degrees from esteemed institutions such as JNTU for Chemical Engineering and Osmania University for Physical Sciences. Additionally, she has expanded her expertise by earning a certification in Data Science from Intellipaat in collaboration with IIT, Chennai. With a solid background in both academia and practical application, she demonstrates a profound understanding of data science, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). She is a dynamic individual characterized by her analytical mindset and a proven ability to drive meaningful outcomes through data-driven methodologies.

Mrs. Yuhana Hassan

Associate Vice President – Strategic Planning & Business Expansion
With almost a decade of distinguished experience in senior business management, she brings a wealth of expertise in overseeing different divisions within the IT sector. Known for her strategic thinking and deep understanding of global market trends, she has successfully expanded businesses across vibrant markets in South East Asia and the Middle East. As a leader, she has led efforts in brand development and strategic planning, driving organizational growth and positioning the company as a market leader. Beyond her strategic role, her dynamic leadership style and unwavering commitment to excellence continuously boost our company’s performance.

Chandra Babu T

Lead – Business Development
IT professional with 20+ years of experience in program management, product management, delivery management, pre-sales, and process management. Started career as a Java developer from there onwards rose to different positions in companies like Birlasoft and Unisys Global Services. Major projects are involved in GE Money, Angola National ID, United Airlines, SIDBI Bank’s Enterprise Loan Management System, Bayshore Community Healthcare Services & Health Serve, etc.

Jeelani Sheik

Chief Marketing Officer
Jeelani Sheik, a seasoned marketing leader with 20+ years in the IT industry, specializes in digital marketing and product development. His expertise lies in leveraging data-driven insights in digital marketing to produce the best possible results within budget constraints, fueling growth for small enterprises and startups. Beyond marketing, Jeelani’s proficiency extends to delivery management, strategic planning, and process development, evident in his track record of establishing and scaling delivery centers, fostering key relationships, and leading transformative programs during his tenure in TCS and Tech Mahindra. As Spryple’s CMO, he drives innovative marketing strategies, enhancing brand visibility and spearheading growth.

Srinivas Somisetti

Chief Product Officer
Srinivas, an experienced IT leader with over 20+ years of expertise, focuses on product and project/operations management. He ensures top-notch software quality in various sectors such as HRMS, healthcare, ERP, and general insurance, serving major clients in India, Middle East and the USA. Starting his HRMS journey in 2001, Worked for Temple Technologies, 3i Infotech, Saahi Systems and Tetrasoft companies, played SME Role in conceptualizing and Developing HRMS Solutions in his previous companies and also took the ownership of multiple HRMS implementation systems. Proficient in both Waterfall and Agile methodologies, especially Scrum, he has played a key role in establishing quality processes, contributing to achieve CMMI level 3 in multiple organizations. He continues to support startups, offering assistance from their inception. He also excels in developing e-commerce platforms and news portals. Beyond IT, he manages his family’s school business.

Sree Lahari Raavi

Co-Founder SPRYPLE HR
Over the course of the last 10 years, her unwavering dedication and unparalleled expertise have played a pivotal role in transforming our startup’s trajectory. In these 10+ years of her startup journey, she has guided the teams in developing applications in Healthcare Technologies (Sanela Healthcare). In addition to this, she has managed the delivery of client projects like NDTCO and Hibbett. Her tenure at Accenture, serving esteemed clients such as Zurich Financial Services, underscores her depth of experience and her capacity to navigate complex challenges with finesse.

Mr. Sriganesh Sivasubramanian

Sr.Vice President – HR Lead
HR professional with a Master’s Degree in Commerce and an Executive Post Graduate Diploma in HR Management. Had been with IT majors and MNCs, viz. HCL Technologies, Deloitte Consulting, Tech Mahindra, and Sanela Technology for over 35 years in a managerial capacity for Talent Management, Talent Acquisition, Talent Development, and Global Mobility Management. Green belt certified process improvement specialist from Deloitte .

Mr. Venkateswarlu Boora

Chief Executive Officer
Venkateswarlu Boora, as the founder and CEO, being a Techpreneur, has transformed the HRMS & Payroll solutions landscape. Started journey with Healthcare Technology Solutions. He is known for his customer-centric approach followed by relentless innovations in Information Technology. In his 25 years of IT journey, worked for MNCs like TCS, Accenture, and served major clients like Zurich Financial Services, Bank of America, AC Nielsen, CVS Caremark, Ericsson, and HR across North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific. In his journey as a techpreneur, he established teams and provided many IT solutions for both Public and Private sectors in India, Malaysia, and the USA. His ventures, Sanela Healthcare Software and Sreeb Technologies, proudly count ISRO, NDTCO, and Hibbett among their esteemed clients.