Use these to interpret the number before you change budget.
When should I trust this ROI number?
Trust it when cost and attributed revenue cover the same window. If attribution is partial or the sales cycle is longer than the campaign, treat the result as directional and pair it with LTV or break-even.
What should count as marketing cost?
Include media, creative, tools, and the people time that ran the work. Leaving out agency fees or internal hours makes ROI look healthier than the business can defend.
What ROI is worth scaling for a values-led brand?
A common planning floor is about 100% (2:1). Stronger brands often aim higher once margins, retention, and brand risk are in the model. Benchmarks are directional, not a guarantee.
ROI looks strong. What should I check next?
Confirm channel ROAS, conversion quality, and break-even timing before you raise budget. Strong ROI with weak retention or long payback can still be a bad scale decision.
How is ROI different from ROAS?
ROAS compares ad spend to revenue from ads. ROI can include broader marketing cost and is usually shown as a percentage. Use ROAS to judge paid channels; use ROI for the fuller investment question.