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eBay·Product Manager·Onsite - Product Sense / Strategy·Senior

Senior
May 2026

Summary

PM interview at eBay, just one question but it was a meaty one about metrics for a new e-commerce launch. Pretty standard product analytics territory but easy to fumble if you go too broad.

Questions Asked (1)

Q1

If you just launched a new e-commerce website, what metrics would you track and why?

Product Analytics & MetricsProduct Strategy
Author's notes

I went straight to conversion rate and GMV which felt right but then I realized I was skipping the funnel entirely.

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AI HintsAI Generated

Suggested Approach

Start by framing metrics around the customer journey and business goals, then prioritize a few key metrics for a new site. Explain how you'd use them to make decisions and iterate quickly.

Pro tip: For a new site, focus on leading indicators of product-market fit and retention, not just vanity metrics. Mention that you'd set up a metrics hierarchy with a North Star metric and guardrail metrics to avoid unintended consequences.

1. Define business objectives

Clarify the primary goals of the new e-commerce site, such as customer acquisition, activation, retention, or revenue. This ensures metrics align with strategic priorities.

2. Map the customer journey

Break down the user experience into stages: awareness, acquisition, activation, retention, referral, and revenue (AARRR). Identify key metrics for each stage.

3. Select a North Star and supporting metrics

Choose a single North Star metric that best captures core value delivery (e.g., number of purchases). Then select supporting metrics that drive it, such as conversion rate and average order value.

4. Prioritize metrics for early-stage focus

For a new site, emphasize metrics that indicate product-market fit and early traction, like activation rate, repeat purchase rate, and customer acquisition cost. Avoid over-indexing on vanity metrics.

5. Establish a measurement plan

Outline how you'll track these metrics (e.g., analytics tools, dashboards), set targets, and use them to inform iterative improvements.

Key Points to Mention

  • Conversion rate (from visit to purchase) as a core health metric
  • Customer acquisition cost (CAC) and lifetime value (LTV) ratio to ensure sustainable growth
  • Activation metrics like sign-up rate and first purchase rate
  • Retention metrics such as repeat purchase rate and churn
  • Average order value (AOV) and cart abandonment rate
  • Traffic sources and channel effectiveness to optimize marketing spend

AI-generated suggestions, not part of the candidate's original notes. May be inaccurate — verify before relying on them.