KPIs Business

Whether you are running a small business or a huge corporation, you can’t rely on your gut feeling to see the kind of progress you have been making. In the business world, it’s important to keep a record of every single thing.

The good news is that there are many proven ways to monitor your overall performance, and KPIs are one of them. Business KPIs or Key Performance Indicators help keep track of all the progress your company has been making. More importantly, they measure whether the company has been able to achieve its goals or not.

Every person and business has their own set of goals to keep them in check and help them achieve their goals. It can’t be done without the help of business metrics because they keep you headed in the direction you want.

Here are a few business KPIs you can start tracking to help you improve your performance;

1.   The Number of Sales

It is highly essential to keep track of all your sales on a monthly basis because they give you insight into how well your business is doing. You can monitor every sale you make to find out what product or service people are interested in.

For example, if you’re running a business like carpet cleaning London, you can use the sales you generate each quarter as an indicator of your success. The number of sales you make is very important to check where you stand in the competition and help you take relevant actions to increase the number of your sales.

You can set the following KPIs if you want to measure your success in terms of sales revenue:

  • The number of monthly sales,
  • The percentage increase in the number of sales to new customers each month,
  • Percentage increase in monthly sales, etc

2.   Profit and Loss

Every business venture goes through ups and downs, but the only way to get back in the game is by measuring all the profit and loss you are making. Find out how much money is going into your extra expenditures and how much of it is because of the sales you have been making.

When you analyze and process the profit and loss margin, it helps you identify where most of your money has been going and whether you’re making enough of what you put in. It can help deal with issues that have a negative impact on your business.

You can track the following KPIs:

  • Quarterly profits
  • The quarterly cost of running your business
  • The amount of profit and loss you’re making after excluding the expenses per month

3.   Annual Sales Growth

We all keep your monthly progress in check, but if you want to track your growth as a business, you need to calculate annual sales growth. Most of the businesses depend on different seasons, so your annual progress will help you find out when you find out the months in which your business was flourishing.

For example, some businesses suffer a huge loss in winters, and keeping annual growth in check will help them pinpoint the exact months so they can come up with strategies.

  • Track your sales growth during a specific time period and compare it with the previous times you have had.

4.   Inventory

Every business has an inventory where you keep a check of all the products you bought and how much you sold. Tracking your inventory gross will tell you which product got sold out fast and which product didn’t get sold.

You can make necessary adjustments using this and offer special discounts on the products that didn’t make it through, so everything is in balance.
Track your:

  • Stock to sales ratio
  • Liquidity ratio
  • The rate at which you stock up the products customers demand the most

5.   Accounts Payable Rate

Every business has its different suppliers and manufacturers that help run the industry. It’s important to keep a record of all the money you spend on your suppliers. You can measure the accounts payable rate to find out how many transactions you have made and how much you pay your manufacturers. You can start by monitoring the following:

  • The quarterly overhead costs, including suppliers and staff
  • The costs per transaction in one month

6.    Number of Consumer Complaints

The number of consumer complaints is another important KPI because it helps you identify problems that your consumers are facing so you can fix them. It is important to receive feedback and act accordingly. Resolving any consumer complaints helps form a good relationship with them, so they keep adding up to your company’s growth.

For example, you can track:

  • The number of complaints in one quarter
  • The number of complaints resolved in one quarter

7.   Market Share

Market share is another indicator of success; the more market share you occupy, the larger your revenue is going to be. Tracking your market share will tell you your place in the competition. You can compare your business’s growth with the fellow business ventures to find out what steps you should take to boost your performance.
Market share KPIs include:

  • The percentage share of sales in the market
  • The number of products being sold each quarter as compared to competitor’s

8.   Customer Satisfaction

Your company depends on your customers and clients, so customer satisfaction should be one of your top priorities if you don’t’ want your competitor to succeed and take your customers from you.

With today’s technology, you can provide users feedback and online review forms to track all the improvements you need in your business. Customer feedback can help you in the long run, and you can track it by monitoring:

  • Customer satisfaction score
  • Employee response time and the positive impact on the customers

9.   Online Traffic

We’re living in a global village, so an online and social media presence is important if you want to promote your product and services. You can track how much traffic your business website got and how many times people engaged with your social media posts.

It helps measure your popularity among the users and what strategies you can use to increase the number of your audience.
Track the following:

  • Website visits in a quarter
  • Weekly post engagements on social media

10. Revenue Growth Rate

Every business has its own goals, and measuring revenue growth rate gives you an idea of what speed your business is growing. You can calculate your company’s income, sales, profit, and gross margins and determine if your overall performance is decreasing or increasing.

Financial KPIs are of the most important business performance indicators because you keep a record of everything, and you can find out the gaps. Track it using:

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  • The number of sales you have made during a specific amount of time
  • The net profit in a quarter

 


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Complete Guide to NSFAS Online Loan Application for South African Students (2025)

If you are a South African student looking to pursue higher education but are facing financial difficulties, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is one of the most accessible funding options available. NSFAS provides financial aid in the form of bursaries and loans to qualifying students at public universities and TVET colleges in South Africa.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the NSFAS loan application process, from eligibility requirements to application steps and frequently asked questions.


📌 What is NSFAS?

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is a government-funded financial aid scheme aimed at helping students from low- and middle-income households to access tertiary education without the burden of upfront fees.

NSFAS offers both bursaries and income-contingent loans:

  • Bursaries: For eligible students who meet academic and household income criteria (especially for TVET and university students).
  • Loans: For students who do not meet all bursary criteria or who are pursuing postgraduate qualifications not funded under bursary schemes.

✅ Who Qualifies for an NSFAS Loan?

To qualify for an NSFAS loan (especially for postgraduate students or programs not funded under the bursary system), you must:

  • Be a South African citizen.
  • Be financially needy, with a household income of less than R350,000 per year.
  • Have a valid South African ID.
  • Be enrolled or accepted to study at a public university or TVET college.
  • Not be funded through another bursary program that covers all expenses.
  • Maintain satisfactory academic progress (returning students).

📚 Courses Funded by NSFAS

NSFAS primarily funds undergraduate qualifications, but certain postgraduate programs (e.g., PGCE, postgraduate diplomas in education, and professional courses like LLB) may be considered under the NSFAS loan scheme, not bursaries.

If you’re studying:

  • Undergraduate degree or diploma: You are likely eligible for a full NSFAS bursary.
  • Postgraduate study: You may qualify for a loan, depending on the course and funding availability.

📄 Required Documents for NSFAS Application

When applying, make sure you have the following documents scanned and ready:

  1. Certified copy of your South African ID or Smart Card.
  2. Parent(s) or guardian(s) ID documents.
  3. Proof of income (latest payslips, UIF, or affidavit if unemployed).
  4. Consent Form signed by your parent(s)/guardian(s) to allow NSFAS to verify income.
  5. Proof of registration or acceptance at a public institution.
  6. Academic transcripts (for continuing or postgraduate students).

🖥️ How to Apply for an NSFAS Loan Online

Step-by-Step NSFAS Online Application Process (2025)

  1. Visit the NSFAS Website

    Go to: https://www.nsfas.org.za

  2. Create an Account

    • Click on “MyNSFAS” and register your profile.
    • You’ll need a valid email address and South African cellphone number.
    • Choose a strong password and verify your account via email or SMS.
  3. Login and Start the Application

    • After registration, log in to your MyNSFAS account.
    • Click on “Apply” to begin a new application.
  4. Fill in Your Personal Details

    • Input your ID number, name, surname, and other details exactly as they appear on your ID.
    • Provide household income information and living arrangements.
  5. Upload Required Documents

    • Upload all supporting documents in PDF or JPEG format.
    • Each document must be clear and under the size limit specified.
  6. Submit Your Application

    • Review your application for accuracy.
    • Click “Submit” and wait for a confirmation message.
  7. Track Your Application

    • Log in regularly to check your application status.
    • You will be notified via SMS and email at each stage of the process.

🗓️ Important NSFAS Dates (2025)

  • Application Opening Date: September 1, 2025
  • Application Deadline: January 31, 2026
  • Appeals Period: February 2026 (if rejected)
  • Disbursement: After registration and approval

Note: Dates are subject to change; always confirm on the official NSFAS website.


💸 What Does the NSFAS Loan Cover?

NSFAS funding typically includes:

  • Tuition fees
  • Registration fees
  • Accommodation (if living away from home)
  • Meals and transport
  • Learning materials (e.g., textbooks)

For loans, repayment is only required once you start working and earn above a threshold (around R30,000 annually, but subject to change).


🔄 NSFAS Loan Repayment

Repayments are:

  • Income-contingent – you only repay when you can afford to.
  • Administered by DHET (Department of Higher Education and Training).
  • Interest-bearing, but interest rates are low and favorable.

You can also apply for a partial loan conversion to a bursary if you perform well academically.


🔁 How to Appeal a Rejected NSFAS Application

If your application is rejected, you may submit an appeal via your MyNSFAS portal:

  1. Log into your MyNSFAS account.
  2. Click on “Track Funding Progress”.
  3. If rejected, click on “Submit Appeal”.
  4. Upload any missing or corrected documents.
  5. Provide a clear explanation or motivation.

📱 NSFAS Contact Information


📝 Final Tips Before Applying

  • Apply early to avoid system overload near the deadline.
  • Use your own email and cellphone number (do not use someone else’s).
  • Double-check that all your documents are certified and legible.
  • Keep a copy of your submission confirmation for reference.

By following this guide, you can confidently apply for NSFAS funding and move one step closer to achieving your academic and career dreams—without the burden of immediate financial pressure.