To ease your mind off this, we will take you through the world of Kickstarter fulfillment companies and discover some core factors and potential problems with Kickstarter fulfillment and the importance of a reliable partner who can help you with that.

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Part 1. What is Kickstarter Fulfillment?

Kickstarter Fulfillment is the active bridge that fills the gap between Kickstarter’s successfully funded campaign and the backers who face challenges in receiving a reward as per their backing. Once the fund rises to the required amount for the campaign, the creators embark on a production, packaging, and shipping journey to fulfill their commitments to backers.

The most critical steps in Kickstarter fulfillment services are careful planning, talking with people, and ensuring supporters get what they were promised. Kickstarter Fulfillment shows that the person behind the project is serious about keeping their promises from the campaign and helps keep trust and happiness among Kickstarter supporters.

Part 2. Benefits of Using Kickstarter Fulfillment Services

Using Kickstarter fulfillment services from 3^rd party companies can make things much easier for creators when rewarding their supporters. Let’s explore the main advantages.

1. Time Optimization

Instead of wasting their time and energy on the complexity of shipping logistics, creators can utilize their power in their primary abilities and skills that boost their work. They can work on product creation and project management by outsourcing fulfillment to specialists.

2. Cost Efficiency

Many shipment services have established quite good acquaintances with fulfillment services, and this is an excellent perk for them because they can easily negotiate between shipping rates. Your more cost-effective packaging choices will automatically lower delivery costs, which is a better way to save money.

3. Inventory Management

In this busy routine, we mostly forget our essential work, and when it comes to maintaining business inventory, we don’t pay much attention until it is too late. Inventory management is a great feature to take you out of this stress. You don’t need to keep an eye 24/7 on your inventory.

4. Customer Support

A great reason to enhance Kickstarter fulfillment services and boost backer experience is to have excellent customer support. Having support is vital for every business. This is the primary key factor that eliminates most of the hurdles and barriers just by talking.

5. Peace of Mind

Many e-commerce businesses face hurdles at the initial stage, and most often, they even get scammed by unauthorized fulfillment partners just because they are concerned with money. So, going for Kickstarter fulfillment will remove all your doubts and prevent you from being scammed. This mental ease allows a creator to have some room to work on other projects.

6. Flexibility

Every creator deals in different e-commerce category products, and a wise backer knows how they should deal with the different types of products. First and foremost, Kickstarter fulfillment companies offer different sizes of packages, packing, and picking processes. Having such flexibility will automatically make every hurdle go away.

Part 3. Choosing Among Kickstarter Fulfillment Companies

Selecting a suitable company from the Kickstarter fulfillment companies is very important. The success of the project depends upon the company you chose. Here are some essential aspects to consider before making this critical decision.

Tip: To fulfill your Kickstarter campaign, you can rely on 3PL services like NextSmartShip.
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1. Experience and Reputation

Before you get started with any company, look at the fulfillment company’s track record and history of at least two years. Look for well-known suppliers with a good reputation in the crowdfunding community. Don’t forget to read reviews and feedback from old clients. You can also ask for suggestions from the Kickstarter community.

2. Specialization

Consider whether the fulfillment provider specializes in Kickstarter projects or crowdsourcing campaigns. Specialized providers are generally more familiar with crowdfunding fulfillment’s requirements and obstacles.

3. Shipping Expertise

Dig deep and search for the delivery experience of the company, mainly if your campaign includes overseas clients. Examine their knowledge of customs procedures, international shipping, and dependable carrier relationships.

4. Cost Structure

Review the company’s pricing model. Understand their fee structure, including pick and pack fees, storage costs, and shipping rates. Compare these costs with your budget to ensure they align.

5. Technology and Integration

Look for a fulfillment firm that provides technological solutions that interface with crowdfunding sites like Kickstarter. Such connections can help streamline the fulfillment process, including the import of backer information and order tracking.

Part 4. The Process of Kickstarter Fulfillment

Kickstarter fulfillment companies ensure that they globally have fulfillment centers set up so they can first pick products or items from the manufacturing hub. These companies then distribute the goods among their other warehouses near the customer base. So whether customers are based locally or globally, Kickstarter fulfillment locations are paramount and must be as near as possible.

To fulfill these promises, here are some critical steps that must be taken care of.

1. Pre-campaign Planning

When you know the specific dates your product will be ready, you need to have an explicit agreement with your suppliers or 3^rd Party Logistic companies regarding bottlenecks, lead times, and what costs will incur. Only then can you forecast how many orders are possible to be shipped.

2. Communication with The Backers

Keep your backers in the loop of the progress of the final product, and once it is finalized, how will it ship, and how long will these goodies take to reach them? Employing survey tools to gather backer perceptions and expectations should be fully understood.

3. Inventory Management and Storage

Allow a 3PL to pick the final product from the manufacturing line and get it to the warehouses, where they are packed according to the delivery channel used. Ensuring the best possible quality packaging is provided is the paramount job of Kickstarter fulfillment.

4. Shipping and Logistics

Proper packing, such as batch or wave packaging, is the bread and butter of a 3PL that can easily handle your Kickstarter fulfillment services for your local and international backers.

Internationally, shipping has more nuances as Kickstarter fulfillment companies need to track, monitor, and even anticipate delays in the final arrival.

Furthermore, custom clearance and tax payment all fall under these fulfillment companies, which you should know and bargain beforehand.

Part 5. Potential Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

Finally, getting your product out and into the hands of your backers and customers may be a super rewarding journey. You must always be aware of the potential pitfalls and disasters.

Understanding these issues and taking the help of an experienced Kickstarter fulfillment agent is critical to giving the best service to your customers. At this point, you must choose a reliable and experienced company that can professionally handle these things.

Common Challenges and Mistakes in Kickstarter Fulfillment

Let’s now have a look at the common challenges you might face!

Shipping Delays – There might be delays due to unforeseen issues from production or things getting stuck at customs, which can cause your backers to be disappointed. Always communicate these issues with them and instead have proper documentation and compliance data to avoid these issues.

Overpromising – Start with setting a minimum viable product that your customers are well aware of and only then promise addons. These promises can include additions to the original plan based on time, research, and more funding. When transparent about these limitations and how to overcome them, your backers will understand and accept any delay to get the best product.

Underestimating Costs – Costs can be the biggest bane to the failure of your Kickstarter fulfillment, causing overbudget. Keep realistic production and tiered rewards to keep everything under budget.

Poor Communication – be clear in your progress and give regular updates even if you are pushed back due to an unforeseen issue and need time to resolve. Your trust can be broken if you aren’t correctly communicating such updates with your clients. Keep open communication channels, even mentioning challenges and progress timelines, and above all, keep transparency paramount.

Inventory Management – Never overstock and even understock, as it can disrupt Kickstarter fulfillment. Allow your Kickstarter fulfillment services to take care of these issues and gain benefit from their experience.

Put Your Trust in Kickstarter Fulfillment Companies – Search for and communicate with renowned Kickstarter fulfillment agents who know and understand these nuances, plus know who to work around them. NextSmartShip is one of them! NSS negotiates with customs and logistic companies to get the product in time, pack it, and ship it much faster than if you had done it yourself. Visit their website and learn why they have excelled at their trade.
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Conclusion

In this article, we went through why you need reliable Kickstarter fulfillment services and how they can help mitigate the issues that you may have. When you have significant backing from Kickstarter fulfillment companies such as NextSmartShip, you instead worry about backer communication and finishing your product on time.

The post Get Your Kickstarter Fulfillment in Order with Best Tips and Tricks appeared first on NextSmartShip: Global Order Fulfillment for DTC Brands.

While fulfillment is a common concept across e-commerce, Indiegogo introduces unique nuances. Backers invest in visions, heightening their expectations. The platform’s diverse range of projects, from tech to art, demands varied fulfillment strategies. Moreover, with support pouring in from 235 countries, international shipping and customs become key considerations. As we delve deeper, we’ll explore how to navigate this post-campaign landscape effectively.

Part 1. What is Indiegogo Fulfillment

While the excitement of a successful Indiegogo campaign is unparalleled, it’s only half the journey. The next crucial step is fulfilling the promises made to backers. Indiegogo fulfillment isn’t just about shipping products; it’s a comprehensive process that ensures each backer receives their reward as envisioned.

Part 2. Benefits of Specialized Indiegogo Order Fulfillment

Navigating this post-campaign phase requires a keen understanding of both the platform’s nuances and backers’ expectations. Here’s where specialized Indiegogo order fulfillment comes into play, offering creators several distinct advantages:

Timely Deliveries: With systems in place to handle large order volumes, backers are assured of receiving their rewards on schedule.

Enhanced Backer Satisfaction: A streamlined fulfillment process leads to positive backer experiences, fostering trust and potential support for future projects.

Cost Efficiency: Utilizing established shipping networks can result in significant savings, optimizing the campaign’s overall budget.

Reduced Errors: Expertise in fulfillment minimizes mistakes, ensuring accurate order processing and fewer returns.

By tapping into these benefits, Indiegogo creators can transition from successful fundraising to successful fulfillment, solidifying their reputation and ensuring backers’ satisfaction.

Part 3. Choosing the Right Indiegogo Fulfillment Service

Selecting an appropriate fulfillment service is paramount to the post-campaign success of any Indiegogo project. With myriad options available, it’s essential to find a service that aligns with your campaign’s specific needs. One such standout option is NextSmartShip.

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Experience with Indiegogo Campaigns

Familiarity with the unique requirements of Indiegogo projects is crucial. Services with this expertise can provide invaluable insights, ensuring smooth fulfillment processes.

Scalability

Whether catering to hundreds or thousands of backers, it’s vital for a service to scale its operations, ensuring consistent quality.

Global Reach with 100+ Shipping Routes

Given Indiegogo’s international audience, a service offering over 100 shipping routes ensures rewards reach backers worldwide, navigating customs and regional regulations seamlessly.

Integration Capabilities

Seamless integration with the Indiegogo platform, coupled with advanced systems, ensures real-time data exchange and accurate order processing.

Cost Structure and Free Storage

Transparent pricing with added benefits like 60 days of free storage can significantly reduce overhead costs.

Value-Added Services

Beyond standard fulfillment, offerings such as custom packaging, green packaging, product photographing, and marketing inserts can enhance the unboxing experience for backers.

Customer Support

A responsive support team ensures any challenges are addressed promptly, guaranteeing smooth operations and backer satisfaction.

By carefully evaluating these factors and considering specialized services with features like those offered by NextSmartShip, Indiegogo creators can ensure their campaign’s success extends beyond fundraising, delivering on promises made to backers efficiently and effectively.

Part 4. Case Study: A Successful Indiegogo Campaign and its Fulfillment Journey

Navigating the complexities of Indiegogo fulfillment becomes clearer when we delve into a real-world example. Let’s explore the journey of a popular kids’ product campaign and its post-fundraising challenges and triumphs.

The Campaign: “Interactive Learning Toy for Kids”

An innovative campaign introduced an interactive learning toy designed to make education engaging for children. The product quickly resonated with backers, surpassing its funding goal within a short span.

The Challenge

With a global backer base, the campaign faced the intricate task of shipping thousands of interactive toys. Each order came with its unique specifications, from special packaging requests to varied shipping destinations.

The Fulfillment Strategy with NextSmartShip

Recognizing the challenges ahead, the campaign organizers turned to NextSmartShip for a streamlined fulfillment solution.

Cost Efficiency: Leveraging NextSmartShip’s resources, the campaign achieved a 30% cost saving on fulfillment expenses.

Enhanced Shipping Speed: The partnership led to a 20% improvement in shipping speed, ensuring timely delivery to eager backers.

Multiple Fulfillment Centers: By utilizing three different fulfillment centers offered by NextSmartShip, the campaign could strategically distribute products, ensuring efficient deliveries while optimizing shipping costs.

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The Outcome

Thanks to the strategic collaboration with NextSmartShip, the campaign not only met but exceeded backer expectations. The success story serves as a testament to the importance of a seamless fulfillment experience in crowdfunded projects.

Conclusion: The Role of Fulfillment in Indiegogo Campaigns

The journey of an Indiegogo campaign doesn’t end once the fundraising target is hit. In many ways, it’s just the beginning. The true test of a campaign’s success lies in its ability to deliver on its promises, ensuring that every backer receives what they were promised, in the condition they expect, and within the timeframe they were assured.

Fulfillment is more than just a logistical challenge; it’s a testament to a campaign’s integrity and commitment to its backers. A smooth and efficient fulfillment process can enhance a campaign’s reputation, leading to positive reviews, increased trust, and potential support for future endeavors.

Partnering with the right fulfillment service, one that understands the unique challenges of Indiegogo campaigns, can make all the difference. From managing inventory and shipping logistics to handling returns and customer inquiries, a dedicated fulfillment partner can alleviate many of the post-campaign stresses.

As the crowdfunding landscape continues to evolve, the importance of fulfillment remains constant. For creators, it’s a reminder that while raising funds is crucial, delivering on promises is paramount. For backers, it’s an assurance that their support and trust are valued and respected.

FAQs about Indiegogo Fulfillment

1. What is Indiegogo fulfillment?

Indiegogo fulfillment refers to the process of delivering the promised rewards or products to the backers who supported a campaign on the Indiegogo platform.

2. How is Indiegogo fulfillment different from regular e-commerce fulfillment?

While the core concept is similar, Indiegogo fulfillment often involves a one-time, large-scale shipping of rewards to backers from various countries, unlike regular e-commerce that deals with ongoing orders.

3. Can I handle fulfillment on my own?

Yes, but it can be challenging, especially for large campaigns. Partnering with a specialized fulfillment service can streamline the process, ensuring timely and accurate deliveries.

4. How do I choose the right fulfillment service for my Indiegogo campaign?

Consider factors like experience with Indiegogo campaigns, scalability, global reach, integration capabilities, cost structure, and customer support.

5. What if there are issues with customs when shipping internationally?

A knowledgeable fulfillment partner can guide you on customs documentation and compliance, minimizing potential delays or issues.

6. How can I ensure my backers are kept informed during the fulfillment process?

Regular updates through the Indiegogo platform, emails, or automated tools can keep backers informed. Transparency is key to maintaining trust.

7. What happens if a backer wants to return or exchange their reward?

Having a clear return and exchange policy is crucial. Efficient fulfillment services can handle these logistics, ensuring a smooth process for both creators and backers.

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Part 1. What is Crowdfunding Fulfillment?

Crowdfunding fulfillment refers to the process of delivering the promised rewards or products to the backers who supported a crowdfunding campaign. It’s not just about shipping a product; it encompasses everything from inventory management, order processing, packaging, and finally, shipping. While the excitement of a successful campaign is exhilarating, the subsequent responsibility to fulfill hundreds or even thousands of orders can be daunting.
Tip: Selecting the right crowdfunding fulfillment service is crucial for your crowdfunding business. Consult with us to get a custom quote.
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Part 2. How Crowdfunding Fulfillment Differs from Traditional Order Fulfillment

While both crowdfunding and traditional order fulfillment aim to deliver products to customers, there are distinct differences:

Volume and Predictability: Traditional businesses often have a steady flow of orders, allowing them to predict and manage inventory. In contrast, crowdfunding campaigns can have a massive influx of orders in a short time, making it challenging to manage.

Diversity of Orders: Crowdfunding campaigns often offer multiple tiers or reward levels, each with different products or combinations. This can complicate the fulfillment process, as each backer’s order might be unique.

Backer Expectations: As mentioned earlier, backers are emotionally invested in the product. They’ve followed the journey from idea to realization. Their expectations regarding product quality, packaging, and timely delivery are often higher than regular customers.

Communication: Crowdfunding backers appreciate transparency and regular updates. Whether it’s a production delay or a shipping update, communication plays a pivotal role in keeping backers satisfied.

In the upcoming sections, we’ll explore the key components of crowdfunding fulfillment, offering insights and best practices to ensure that campaign creators can meet and exceed backer expectations.

Part 3. Key Components of Crowdfunding Fulfillment

Successfully delivering on the promises made during a crowdfunding campaign requires a deep understanding of the various components involved in the fulfillment process. Let’s explore these components in detail:

Pre-campaign Planning

• Product Readiness: Before launching the campaign, ensure that the product design is finalized and ready for mass production. This reduces the risk of post-campaign delays.
• Supplier Agreements: Establish clear agreements with suppliers and manufacturers. Understand lead times, costs, and potential bottlenecks.
• Forecasting: Estimate the number of orders you might receive. This helps in preparing for inventory requirements and setting realistic delivery timelines.

Backer Communication and Management

• Regular Updates: Keep backers informed about the progress of the campaign, production updates, and any potential delays.
• Feedback Loop: Create a channel for backers to ask questions or voice concerns. Addressing these promptly can prevent dissatisfaction and build trust.
• Survey Tools: Use tools to gather shipping information, product preferences, or any other details required for fulfillment.

Inventory Management and Storage

• Warehousing: Determine where the products will be stored before shipping. Consider factors like location, cost, and accessibility.
• Stock Levels: Monitor stock levels to ensure there’s no shortage. This is crucial if the campaign offers multiple product variants or combinations.
• Quality Control: Implement rigorous quality checks. Backers expect to receive products in perfect condition, and quality control helps ensure this.

Order Processing and Packaging

• Efficient Systems: Use automated systems to streamline order processing. This reduces errors and speeds up the fulfillment process.
• Packaging: Ensure products are packaged securely to prevent damage during transit. Consider branded packaging to enhance the unboxing experience for backers.

Shipping and Logistics

• Shipping Partners: Collaborate with reliable shipping partners who can handle both domestic and international deliveries.
• Tracking: Provide backers with tracking numbers so they can monitor their package’s journey.
• Customs and Duties: For international shipments, be aware of customs regulations and duties. Inform backers about potential additional costs or delays.

By understanding and effectively managing these components, campaign creators can ensure a smooth fulfillment process, leading to satisfied backers and a strong foundation for future endeavors.

Part 4. Crowdfunding Fulfillment Service: Why You Need One

Successfully managing a crowdfunding campaign is a commendable achievement, but the journey doesn’t end once the funding goal is met. The real challenge often lies in the post-campaign phase: delivering on the promises made to backers. This is where a dedicated crowdfunding fulfillment service can make a significant difference.

Volume: A successful campaign can result in hundreds or even thousands of orders. Managing such a volume without a streamlined system can be overwhelming.

Complexity: With various reward tiers, product combinations, and shipping destinations, each order can have its unique requirements.

Logistics: Handling shipping, especially international shipping, requires expertise in customs, duties, and local regulations.

Customer Service: Addressing queries, handling returns, and managing feedback are all integral to the fulfillment process.

Part 5. Benefits of Using a Dedicated Crowdfunding Fulfillment Service

Expertise: These services specialize in handling the unique challenges of crowdfunding fulfillment, ensuring that common pitfalls are avoided.

Scalability: Whether you have a hundred orders or ten thousand, a fulfillment service can scale operations to meet demand.

Cost-Efficiency: Leveraging established networks and bulk rates, these services can often provide cost-effective shipping and storage solutions.

Time-Saving: With a trusted partner handling fulfillment, campaign creators can focus on product development, marketing, and future projects.

Enhanced Backer Experience: Professional packaging, timely delivery, and efficient customer service can significantly enhance the overall experience for backers.

Part 6. Choosing the Right Crowdfunding Fulfillment Partner

In the world of crowdfunding, where backers’ trust and satisfaction are paramount, choosing the right fulfillment partner is crucial. The right partner can ensure that your products reach backers on time, in perfect condition, and without any hitches. One such reliable partner in the fulfillment landscape is NextSmartShip.

NextSmartShip

NextSmartShip stands out in the crowded fulfillment market with its unique offerings tailored to the specific needs of crowdfunding campaigns. Whether you’re a budding entrepreneur or an established business venturing into crowdfunding, NextSmartShip offers solutions that cater to all.

Key Features:

No MOQ & No Start-Up Fee: Understanding the varied scales of crowdfunding campaigns, NextSmartShip eliminates the barriers of minimum order quantities (MOQ) and start-up fees. This makes it an ideal choice for both small businesses and medium-sized enterprises.

Flexible Shipping Lines: Catering to diverse shipping needs, NextSmartShip offers a range of options from economic and expedited to express shipping lines. This flexibility ensures that backers, no matter where they are located, receive their rewards promptly and cost-effectively.

Free Storage for Two Months: Cash flow can be a concern post-campaign. Recognizing this, NextSmartShip offers free storage for up to two months in their global warehouses, providing campaign creators with a buffer to organize their fulfillment strategy.

Value-Added Services: Beyond just shipping, NextSmartShip provides a suite of value-added services to enhance the backer experience:

• Pick & Pack: Precision in selecting and packaging items for each backer.
• Kitting: Combining various products into a single package, ideal for campaigns with multiple reward tiers.
• Custom Packing: Tailored packaging solutions to ensure products reach backers in pristine condition.
• Photographing: High-quality product photography services for marketing or quality control purposes.
• Marketing Inserts: Enhance the unboxing experience with promotional materials, thank-you notes, or other marketing inserts.

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In the intricate dance of crowdfunding, where every step counts, having a partner like NextSmartShip can make all the difference. Their tailored solutions, transparent pricing, and commitment to excellence ensure that campaign creators can focus on what they do best, leaving the complexities of fulfillment in capable hands.

Conclusion

While it’s possible to handle crowdfunding fulfillment in-house, the complexities and challenges often make it worthwhile to seek external expertise. A dedicated crowdfunding fulfillment service not only ensures a smooth post-campaign phase but also enhances the overall experience for backers, solidifying their trust and support for future projects.

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Indiegogo is a crowdfunding platform that helps entrepreneurs and innovators bring their ideas to life.  In addition to raising money, Indiegogo offers entrepreneurs a variety of resources to help them succeed in business and launch new products. With Indiegogo’s inDemand, you can extend your campaign after it ends, giving you more time to raise funds and build momentum.

Comparison chart

Indiegogo and Kickstarter are two of the most popular crowdfunding platforms. Entrepreneurs, startups and people with creative projects use these platforms to raise funds for their projects. While Indiegogo is an international platform, Kickstarter is limited to US-based projects.

We have compared both platforms in terms of features to help you decide which one is better suited for your needs:

Difference Between Indiegogo and Kickstarter

Prototype

Kickstarter

To raise money on Kickstarter, you’ll need a prototype, and this is the best way to show potential backers that your product is authentic and will work. There’s no need for a fully functional prototype, but it should look like it does in your video and be similar in quality to the final product.

Indiegogo

If you’re starting, a prototype is not required for Indiegogo. However, it is highly encouraged. A prototype shows potential backers that you have a working product and helps them visualize what they will be receiving if they back your project. It also lets you understand how much money you need to raise to bring your product to market.

Payment Partner

Both platforms use Stripe to process payments. The choice to choose Kickstarter or Indiegogo can rely heavily upon the method of payment.

Kickstarter

You can pay with the following credit cards: American Express, Discover, JCB, MasterCard, Visa, or UnionPay. Discover, and JCB cards are currently only accepted for US-based projects. They do not accept prepaid debit or credit cards such as Visa Electron or Maestro (typically used for ATM withdrawals at overseas machines).

Indiegogo

Indiegogo accepts Visa, MasterCard, and American Express via Stripe payment processing. If you have an iPhone 6 or later with Apple Pay, you can use it to make purchases on Indiegogo.

Also, if you have an Android device running a 4.4+ operating system with the Google Pay app installed, you can use it to make purchases on Indiegogo (limited countries).

Success Rate

Kickstarter

Although 39.4% of projects on Kickstarter succeed in reaching or surpassing their funding goal, 10% never receive a single pledge (and those are just those listed as “active”).

Indiegogo

The Indiegogo platform has a 9% success rate. However, Indiegogo is a flexible funding platform that lets you keep whatever money you raise, even if you don’t meet your goal.

Product Categories

Kickstarter is mostly used by artists, filmmakers, musicians, and other creators looking to fund their projects while IndieGoGo is mostly used by startups, charities, and entrepreneurs looking to raise money for a specific cause.

Registration

Kickstarter

Applicants must clearly present their project, and it’s essential to include all relevant information about the project in the video and text description. If specific points are not highlighted enough, the admin will ask to make changes before the campaign goes live. After applicants submit their project idea, it will be reviewed for any legal issues or violations of our guidelines. They also check the financial viability of your project. If it looks like a good fit for Kickstarter (it’s legal and feasible), they’ll approve it and start building the page!

Indiegogo

Indiegogo doesn’t have an approval process, so you can start raising money immediately. If you’re new to Indiegogo, you might want to gather your campaign materials first: a video of your pitch, a written description, and social media links. The more information you have before launching your campaign, the better your chances of attracting backers. You should also implement a perks system for people who donate to your cause. A perks system is a way for you to give back to your contributors by offering incentive rewards for different tiers of donations.

Pledge Charged

Kickstarter

When you pledge, your credit card or other payment methods will be charged when the pledge is processed. If the project is successfully funded, your credit card will be charged at the time of the transaction, and you will receive a confirmation email to confirm that you are now a backer of the project. No charges will be made to your account if the project is not successfully funded.

Indiegogo

All contributions made on Indiegogo must be processed through our payment processors. Indiegogo immediately charges credit cards for donations made directly on Indiegogo’s website. Stripe will process contributions made with a debit card or bank account. A successful contribution will also be recorded on your Indiegogo account.

Unique Monthly Visitors

Kickstarter has been around longer and is more popular with creators and backers. The site has amassed 25 to 27 million unique monthly visitors compared to 9 million for Indiegogo. The latter has other strengths. It offers a broader range of funding options than Kickstarter — including flexible funding (which means you keep the money even if you don’t reach your goal) and a fixed allowance (where if you don’t hit your target, you don’t get anything). And unlike Kickstarter, Indiegogo lets you keep whatever money you raise even if you don’t achieve your goal.

Funding Options

Indiegogo uses an “all-or-nothing” model and an “optional” model. Donations are accepted whether or not a campaign reaches its goal by its deadline. The optional model allows campaigns to continue raising funds even after reaching their goal of raising more money for the project’s completion.

On the other hand, Kickstarter uses an “all-or-nothing” model, meaning that if you don’t reach your funding goal by the deadline, you don’t get any of the money pledged by backers. In this case, you will receive whatever percentage of donations you were able to raise from backers.

Kickstarter vs Indiegogo fees

Both Kickstarter and Indiegogo charge a flat 5% platform fee, plus payment fees, and PayPal charges between 3–5%, while traditional credit cards charge a flat 3%. For Indiegogo, there’s an additional $25 wire fee to transfer USD earnings to a non-US bank.

Conclusion

Indiegogo vs Kickstarter, which one is the best option for you? There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to deciding which crowdfunding platform is the best for your campaign. Choosing the best crowdfunding platform for your project depends on your goals, task, and audience. If you’re looking to raise exclusively charitable donations, Indiegogo is a better choice. If you’re creating and selling products, Kickstarter is the better choice. Once you’ve weighed all these factors and made your choice, getting started immediately is essential—campaign preparation takes time. But with enough planning, both platforms will surely help you make your dream a reality!

Use NextSmartShip for Your Kickstarter or Indiegogo Fulfillment Needs!

Looking for a reliable and efficient way to fulfill your Kickstarter or Indiegogo campaign rewards? Consider using NextSmartShip’s fulfillment service. With years of experience in the industry, NextSmartShip offers a comprehensive solution to fulfill your orders quickly and accurately, leaving you with more time to focus on your project. Their state-of-the-art technology ensures that your backers receive their rewards on time and in perfect condition. Plus, our competitive pricing makes it an affordable option for campaigns of any size. Don’t let shipping be a headache, let NextSmartShip take care of it for you. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you.

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Founded in 2009, Kickstarter has helped creators raise over $6.8 billion and over 55,000 projects backed as of April 2022, according to Statista. Although the platform is considered the leading in the crowdfunding space, there exist Kickstarter alternatives that meet innovators’ needs.

Kickstarter’s all-or-nothing pricing model charges a 5% fee for the total fund raised plus a payment processing fee of 3% + $0.20 per pledge. If the funding is unsuccessful, no fees apply, and no money changes hands.

Aside from the platform’s pricing model, there are a few factors why you may consider alternatives like Kickstarter:

• If your campaigns are targeted to a specific niche like non-profits, startups, etc
• If your campaigns cannot factor in revenue share percentages
• If the kind of support you are looking for is platform-dependent.
• If your campaign goals are continuous, even after the due date

Here are our top ten Kickstarter competitors you can choose for your next crowdfunding project.

1.  Indiegogo

If you are just entering the market with literally nothing but an idea and ambition, Indiegogo is the best crowdfunding platform for you. Indiegogo offers the ability to raise funds and the necessary services like marketing, prototyping, fulfillment, and licensing to bring your business idea to life.

Founded in 2008, Indiegogo is active in 235 countries. The website receives over 7.5M monthly traffic visits from these countries, including Italy, New Zealand, Mexico, Germany, Lithuania, Poland, and many other countries in Europe. The platform has empowered over 80,000 creative ideas globally.

Unlike Kickstarter, you can get the money you have raised when you meet specific goals with Indiegogo’s Flexible Funding option. Additional benefits to choosing Indieogogo as your crowdfunding platform include:

• You can continue to raise funds even after your campaign ends with the company’s InDemand offering.
• Indiegogo’s pricing model is a flat 5% fee and 2.9% plus a $0.30 transaction fee.
• The minimum fundraising amount is $500, with all funding options offered on the platform.

Indiegogo is the best for first-time entrepreneurs willing to test and iterate their Minimum Viable Product ( MVP) to build a business. You get the required partnerships to bring your idea to the market under one platform. NextSmartShip, in collaboration with Indieigogo, fulfills orders if you are crowdfunding for physical products.

2.  StartEngine

Mr. Wonderful Kevin O’Leary, seen on Shark Tank, is the face of StartEngine. The crowdfunding platform helps startups raise funds from individual investments to provide enough capital to go public.

Founded in 2014, it has over 1.1m monthly website visitors. StartEngine has funded over 500+ offerings from 760,000 individual investors who have helped the platform raise $60 million and many others like Knightscope ( 57M+ raised).

StartEngine crowdfunding works in two ways:

Regulation crowdfunding – enables you to raise $5M each year through their funding portal StartEngine Capital LLC with minimal or no upfront cost in 4-6 weeks.

Regulation A+ – enables you to raise to $75M yearly under their broker StartEngine Primary LLC. The launching period can take up to 6 months costing $50,000 – $75,0000.

3. GoFundMe

Any creative individual from anywhere in the world can crowdfund their project through GoFundMe. Like other alternatives to Kickstarter GoFundMeallows you to run crowdfunding campaigns from your fingertips using GoFundMe mobile app.

Founded in 2010, the GodFundMe website receives over 36.9M monthly visits and has raised over $15 billion in donations from countries like the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, and Canada.

GoFundMe is a good option for individuals or businesses without time limits when crowdfunding compared to Kickstarter, which requires you to set deadlines. The free platform charges 2.9% plus $0.30 payment processing fees.

4. Patreon

Patreon is a crowdfunding platform for creators to generate recurring revenue from their fans. With over 96.2M monthly website visits, Patreon is considered the best Kickstarter alternative for artists to build financial freedom by sharing their art.

The crowd-raising platform was founded in 2013 by Jack Conte, who got frustrated on realizing he had millions of views for his music on Youtube but very little cash flow to sustain his passion. Since then,  Patreon crowdfunding  has achieved the following milestones:

• Creators on Patreon have made over $2billlion
• Patreon has over 6 million patrons; 4 million joined in the last three years.
• Patreon hosts more than 200,000 creators.

Patreon pricing plans start with a 5% flat fee for Lite, 8% for Pro, and 12% for Premium offerings. Included in the three payment plans is a 2.9% plus $0.30 standard rate for successful payments over $3.

Additionally, Patreon creators get customer support, educational tools, and access to a mobile app to track and analyze their growth progress.

5. FundRazr

FundRazr is the best among all Kickstarter competitors, offering eight campaigns for creators, including recurring donations. With 396.6k monthly traffic visits, the crowdfunding platform has raised $230 million for over 203,000 fundraising campaigns.

Founded in 2008, FundRazr is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, with a global reach from countries like Brazil and Romania.  Anyone can crowdfund on the platform, whether you are a nonprofit or an artist.

FundRazr pricing models have three offerings:

• Simply Free – The best option for personal fundraising and non-profits. The only fee applicable is industry standard third-party processing fee from gateways like Paypal or Stripe.
• Near Free – A 5% flat platform fee optionally covered by your supporters plus the payment gateway processing fees.
• Not Free – A 5% platform fee directly to you instead of your donors plus the 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction charges.

6. SeedInvest

SeedInvest is an equity crowdfunding platform where the supporters of startups are investors. The backers got ‘ skin in the game’ for the startups to succeed by taking an ownership stake in the business.

SeedInvest receives over 424.4K monthly online traffic from countries like Poland, India, and Canada. Over $410 million has been raised on the platform from 620K+ investors. Some of these 235+ high-growth start-ups include; Blockable, Heliogen, and NowRx Pharmacy.

Founded in 2012, SeedInvest was the first crowdfunding platform to allow ordinary people who are not accredited investors to invest in start-ups. If you want to fundraise on the platform, you need to sign-up and fill out an application for the company to do its due diligence before accepting your start-up on their website.

7. Chuffed

Chuffed is an Australian crowdfunding platform for non-profits and charities. The social enterprise firm operates in major countries, including; the USA, Canada, UK, and of course, Australia generating over 99.8k/monthly traffic visits.

Chuffed pricing offers three plans:

• The Keep 100 plan lets funders keep 100% of the donations.
• The donors cover payment processing fees of 2% plus $0.30 per transaction. The cost gets subtracted from the total funds you raise.
• In the Flat Fee option, both a 4.9% platform fee and processing fees get subtracted from the funds you raise. Donors are not asked to cover Chuffed’s processing cost.

If you are considering websites like Kickstarter, Chuffed enables you to target raising funds for social causes. Additionally, Chuffed offers easy integration with tools like MailChimp, Meta, and Google Analytics. With such tools, you get real-time analytics on your crowdfunding campaign performance.

8. WeFunder

Zenefits is one of many success stories crowdfunded on the WeFunder platform. WeFunder is the best Kickstarter alternative for small businesses and startups to crowdfund. With 839.1K website traffic, the platform has funded over 1,979 founders.

Founded in 2012,  WeFunder successfully lobbied Congress to pass a law that allows anyone to invest in companies. Since then, the crowdfunding platform has fundraised over  $502 million and targets to help over 20,000 funders by 2029. WeFunder charges a flat fee of 7.5%

9. Fundable

Fundable, a subsidiary of Startups. Com platform allows startups to crowdfund in the US. In return, the startup offers rewards or equity to backers. With over 78.6K traffic visits, the platform’s top countries include India, Nigeria, Turkey, and Argentina.

The Kickstarter competitor reports startups that reward supporters less than $50,000 from many backers, while those that offer equity raise more from fewer investors. The Fundable platform charges $179/month to crowdfund and take control of future campaigns.

10. Ulule

Ulule is a European crowdfunding platform for new projects and products made by inventors and manufacturers. The website has raised donations from 192 countries and funded more than 335,000 projects since 2010.

Ulule has over 1.4M monthly website visits from top countries like Switzerland, France, and Belgium. With a 95% success, the crowdfunding platform has collected over $250 million for campaigns, with the leading industries being publishing & journals, and charities.

11. CrowdFunder

Monthly organic traffic: 51,844

Launched in 2012, Crowdfunder is a platform for high-impact ventures. The platform only allows accredited investors and does not accept charities, personal causes, and nonprofits. It is entirely targeted at start-ups and entrepreneurs with high growth potential.

Strong points:

• The platform can benefit fundraising campaigns at all stages
• It is easy to find niche ventures

Disadvantages：

• Exorbitant monthly fees
• Smaller investors have no access to the platform

12. Quirky

Monthly organic traffic: 20,396

If you have ideas for a technology or product and believe they will return a substantial profit if you have the funding, designers, and marketing resources to bring them to life, then Quirky may just be what you need. It’s a crowdfunding platform that supports revolutionary ideas. All you have to do is submit an idea, and the quirky community will determine whether it is worth funding. If everything works out, you’ll get royalties from your produced design. However, because you don’t do most of the work, you won’t get to have a large percentage of your royalties.

Strong points：

• No fees: you don’t have much to lose.
• Convenience: you need minimal effort to develop products

Weaknesses：

• You’ll have little control over product design.
• You only get 5-10% of the total revenues.

13. Fundly

Monthly organic traffic: 16,376

Fundly is a keep-what-you’ve raised, a donations-driven platform that doesn’t offer backers any rewards. Its campaigns are driven through social media and reach potential backers through Facebook integration, comment walls, and photo slideshows.

Strong points：

• Convenience: you can withdraw your funds whenever you want them-
• Mobile: the platform is optimized for mobile users.

Weaknesses：

• Cost: campaigners on the platform must pay a 4.9% service fee and are charged 2.9%+3% per donation.

14. iFundwomen

Monthly organic traffic: 9,694

iFundwomen is a platform dedicated to providing a reliable fundraising ecosystem for women-led small businesses and start-ups. The platform also includes marketing, coaching, and other services for start-up owners.

Although women are increasingly participating in entrepreneurship, they still face daunting challenges in getting sufficient capital to take their businesses off the ground. iFundwomen presents itself as an answer to some of these problems. Contrary to reward-driven crowdfunding platforms, iFundwomen allows campaigners to keep all the funds they raise. A fifth of all the money earned by the site is reinvested into supporting campaigns and providing helpful services for women entrepreneurs.

Strong points：

• It’s flexible: you get to keep what you raise.
• Extra services: video production, entrepreneurial coaching, and private forums.
• Women empowerment: there’s an honest commitment to reinvesting into the women-led business community.

Weaknesses：

• Limited data: there isn’t enough information on customer experience and success rates
• Limited accessibility: access is restricted to campaigners in only 23 countries.

15. CircleUp

Monthly organic traffic: 2,781

If you’re launching a consumer brand, CircleUp is worth your attention. The platform has helped raise 260 million dollars for 196 start-up companies, and it offers both credit financing and equity capital. It is also a great space to meet retailers, experts, and entrepreneurs. On CircleUp, you’ll find accredited investors who have a net worth of at least $1 million and annual incomes of at least $200,000.

Strong points：

• Focus: the individuals that join CircleUp are from a single industry: consumer and retail. The platform specializes in vertical industry and has investors interested in companies operating in that space.
• Efficiency: the platform will make your fundraising process a lot more efficient. The average amount of time required to raise funding for a retail brand is 8 months to a year. On CircleUp, you will probably have it done in 2 months.

Weaknesses：

• Access is limited to accredited investors
• Relatively high minimum fundraising requirements
• Stringent vetting process for campaigners

Bonus tips for crowdfunding success – FAQs

1. How does crowdfunding work?

 Crowdfunding sites help individuals or businesses raise small investments from large groups of supporters as capital for the projects. The backers get various rewards, including promotional items or equity in the company.

Most crowdfunding platforms require creators to set financial commitments before or after their campaigns. For instance, Kickstarter is an all-or-nothing campaign model where refunds are made if campaign goals are not met.

2. What are the pros and cons of crowdfunding?

 Pros

• Centralized supporters community
• Crowdfunding is a great way to test the market
• You can raise a lot of money fast
• Crowdfunding finances your product

Cons 

• You can get false product validations.
• Crowdfunding is a lot of work.
• Crowdfunding platforms don’t find ‘investors’ for you. 

Conclusion

How you choose from websites like Kickstarter is highly dependent on the project and the requirements needed by the crowdfunding platform for your campaigns to succeed.

Innovators and entrepreneurs building physical products would use Indiegogo, while startups offering equity to their backers would choose StartEngine or SeedInvest to crowdfund.

The post 15 Best Kickstarter Alternatives of 2025 appeared first on NextSmartShip: Global Order Fulfillment for DTC Brands.

1. In-house fulfillment or a 3PL?

1.1 If you use in-house fulfillment

Make sure you have enough time, skills and resources to do it yourself. Preparing and planning supply chain and transportation strategies is very time consuming when doing Kickstarter fulfillment in-house.

For example, you need to take care of storage space, storage location, delivery method, customs declaration material, import and export documents, etc.; if you are packing yourself, you also need to consider the packing material and quantity, as well as barcoding and labeling.

1.2 If you go with third-party logistics:

There are several aspects to consider when choosing the right 3PL partner for your Kickstarter campaigns, and it’s important not to focus on just one metric, such as cost. Keep the following list in mind as you research and talk to potential partners:

• Pricing for 3PL services: Are the costs within budget? Are there additional costs that are not included in the standard pricing? Such as fuel surcharge, remote area surcharge, handling fee for oversized/overweight items, etc.
• Global shipping coverage: Can it reach backers in remote and unpopular countries? Where are the warehouses located?
• Shipping options: Can they offer the appropriate combination of shipping options for different crowdfunding projects, including from different fulfillment centers?
• Shipping time: will shipping be handled in a timely manner? When will the rewards be shipped once they arrive at the port? Will the packages be in transit until the cabin is full？
• Order tracking: Will the shipping status be updated on time? How can the package be tracked? Does the 3pl have its own order management system? Is the system good?
• Order distribution: is the final delivery made by overseas warehouse or local courier? Is there any notification after delivery to the backer?
• Size of the Company: can it handle bulk goods? Can it process a large number of orders in a short time? Are the fulfillment processes automated?
• After-sales services: policy for lost/damaged/not received shipments; the fees for reissuing a replacement, the return fee.
• Value-added services: What kind of customized services does the 3PL offer?

2. Consider the size and weight of the reward in advance

When designing and manufacturing your product, consider the size and weight of the items in advance. FedEx, UPS and USPS restrict the weight and size of packages. If your product is small enough, for example, if the thickness of the Kickstarter reward is no more than 30 mm, it can be packed in a standard envelope, which reduces the cost. If the package weighs less than 2 kg and its dimensions length + width + height together are less than 900 mm; also the largest dimension does not exceed 600 mm, it can be considered as a “small package”. If the product is fragile, use a bubble mailer or other suitable packaging/filling to avoid damage in transit. This material cost should be included in the shipping cost along with the shipping fee.

3. Estimate shipping costs before launching  your Kickstarter campaign

Remember that weight, size, and packaging affect logistics costs. It would be helpful if you calculated the exact shipping costs for each reward you offer. To do this, you’ll need to know the size and weight of the package, as shippers calculate shipping costs based on weight or dimensions.

Dimensional weight (also known as volumetric weight) reflects the density of the package, or simply put, the space it takes up in a mode of transportation like an airplane.

The price calculation method of the logistics service provider is as follows:

Compare the volumetric weight to the actual weight and choose the greater weight as the chargeable weight. If you know the exact dimensions of the product, you can estimate the shipping cost more accurately, which is very helpful in setting the price for a reasonable profit margin.

Before shipping rewards to the backers, they often have to be transported from the manufacturer to the warehouse from where they are dispatched. Do not forget these costs.

4. Determine the destination countries, know the tax and customs policies of these countries.

Go into your crowdfunding campaign and make sure you know which countries you are willing and able to ship to. Determine the cost of shipping each reward to those countries, taking into account weight and dimension rules as well.

Shipping worldwide is not easy, and you can lose money on shipping orders abroad, so Kickstarter creators need to research and plan crowdfunding projects in detail. By studying crowdfunding campaigns for similar products, you can roughly estimate the geographic distribution of backers and then decide whether to limit the shipping location. If the profit is good, consider selling worldwide. Shipping fees for different countries and regions may vary.

Not only do you need to know the shipping costs in different countries and price your products/rewards based on those shipping costs, but you also need to know the duties/taxes and determine if your shipping method provides for duty paid delivery (DDP), which means the backers s are not responsible for paying the duties. Or if they will deliver duty unpaid (DDU), meaning your backers will be charged duties when they receive the product, which you will need to explain to them on your crowdfunding page. Please consider these costs in advance.

DDU: Customs duties (when the product arrives) are paid by backers, so your pricing does not include VAT.

DDP: The shipper (you) pays the customs fees upfront to the carrier, so VAT must be added to your list price.

For products being shipped overseas, there is a customs clearance process. This involves providing package information so customs can determine the duties (if any) to be paid. Electronic customs clearance through Stamps.com or USPS.com simplifies the process and saves a lot of paperwork. Previously, some people declared crowdfunding products as gifts, but that was incorrect. Back in 2015, the European Union ruled that crowdfunding products are not gifts. Regardless of how much the backer paid, it is recommended to declare the cost price of the product. If the backer spends $500 on a product with a cost price of $10, it will still be declared as $10.

5. Choose the right manufacturer and storage location

Manufacturer, warehouse and supplier locations play a significant role in determining the transportation and logistics process. Many use the strategy of selecting different warehouses/fulfillment centers around the world and shipping the reward to local backers from there. For example, you can select a warehouse in Europe that will be responsible for storing and shipping to all your backers in Europe. You can select another warehouse in the US to cover the entire North American region. The advantage of this strategy is that backers don’t have to pay customs fees. First, you pay less taxes, and second, the backer experience is better because they don’t have to worry about taxes.

6. Simplify your rewards offering

When planning what rewards to offer backers, keep things simple. The more product and style options you offer on Kickstarter, the more complex and expensive they can be to produce, sort, and pack. For example, if you’re offering a t-shirt as a reward, you don’t need to offer 12 colors and eight sizes to satisfy your backers. Instead, offer just a few manageable, simplified options that can significantly reduce shipping stress.

7. Think about free shipping

While shipping costs are at your expense, you can use this as a promotional tool to attract more supporters. More than any other incentive you can offer a backer, free shipping is perhaps the most effective. With free shipping, you can attract more supporters, but the downside is that the cost increases accordingly; consider this in the following scenarios:

Small products: Small products can be shipped by postal service, which is cheaper than other logistics providers. So if your product is smaller, you should offer free shipping to backers.

Free shipping in popular regions: 50% of the backers are from the US, and about 20% or 30% are from Europe. Many creators opt for U.S. and European warehouses, which can save on logistics costs. Consider offering free shipping to backers in these regions.

8. If you feel overwhelmed

Choose NextSmartShip 3PL service. We operate a fulfillment center in Shenzhen and warehouses in the US, Canada, Europe and Australia.

1. We take care of everything: warehousing/picking/packing/labeling/shipping/taxes/customs clearance. Save time and energy.
2. Worldwide fulfillment centers. Take care of your customers wherever they are. Improve their experience and your brand’s reach.
3. Affordable shipping rates, reduce your Kickstarter shipping costs.
4. Real-time order tracking to keep your backers in the loop. You and your backers can check order status at any time.
5. For lost and damaged parts, there is a comprehensive compensation settlement policy.
6. 24/7 customer service. Do not worry about logistics problems. We will take good care of it. You name it and we are on it. Let NextSmartShip handle the order fulfillment so you can focus on growing your business.Get Custom Solutions

The post Eight Things To Know About Kickstarter Fulfillment in 2025 appeared first on NextSmartShip: Global Order Fulfillment for DTC Brands.

How to create & launch an Indiegogo campaign:

 Let’s see how you can create a campaign all by yourself:

• Go to the Indiegogo website and click the ‘Start a campaign’ option on the first page.
• Create an account for launching campaigns Indiegogo.
• If you have an account then simply log in.
• You will have to fill in the basic information they require.
• You will be asked who you are raising the money for. The two recipient options are Individual and Business or Nonprofit. Choose the option that fits the best for your campaign. This step is quite important because it will determine how you will get the funds at the end of your campaign. You have to choose the option carefully because you cannot change the selection once the page is submitted.
• Then select the country where the bank account and the business/nonprofit are located.
• When the campaign is in draft mode, you will be able to use the create/edit campaign tool from the tabs on your left.
• Make sure to use relevant compelling images to make people click on your campaign.
• Write everything in the campaign title and short description for making people contribute.

Content:

• Make short videos for campaigns Indiegogo that will let contributors know about your intentions and goals.
• Give them a sneak peek of your product, film, project, etc.
• Use music, make the video clear and concise, and create a first impression.
• Invite the audience and end the video with a call to action.
• Put most important information first and tell a compelling story.
• Explain why you are raising and share details.
• Break long texts into sections with headings and make sure to proofread.

You can use some of these Indiegogo perk ideas for creating the campaign. Let’s see some Indiegogo perks for launching the campaign:

• Log in and click ‘Your Name’ and then select ‘My Campaigns’ from the drop-down menu.
• Locate the campaign you want to launch and click ‘Edit Campaign’ to go to the campaign editor.
• Then you will see the ‘Review and Launch’ button that you can use for launching your campaign.
• If you missed any required information then you will see an error message. Then you can fill in that information and go to ‘Ready to Go live’ confirmation. Then you can click the ‘Launch campaign’ button.

9 tips for making a successful IndieGoGo campaign:

1. Get people’s attention:

All the successful campaigns Indiegogo are unavoidable because they suck in the people who browse through the site. If you want to make your campaign successful like that then you must add a pitch video along with a compelling story. Eye appealing relevant images, catchy titles, or logos are important as well. These will make people click on your project and learn more about it. Make sure that every bit of your campaign is created to appeal to casual viewers. Keep the summary short and to the point and make sure to include a hook.

2. Set a realistic goal:

 On this list of Indiegogo perk ideas, we have this tip on number two because this might be the most important element of your campaign. If you are not practical about your goal then you won’t become successful in it. According to the experts, you should set the minimum amount you need for completing your project because lower goals have a higher success rate. Include fulfillment costs and Indiegogo fees in this amount.

3. Offer appealing rewards:

Among all the Indiegogo perks, offering appealing rewards is a great option. Give backers exciting rewards tailored to your project as thanks for being supporters. These rewards can be the products you are launching or limited edition items and products under market price. Experts suggest that expensive limited awards can attract people who can offer more and want an insight into your project.

4. Use social media to promote and also prove you’re reliable:

You can verify your social media account and connect it with the Indiegogo website to show the backers that you are reliable. To bring success to your campaigns on Indiegogo, you must have a great social media marketing strategy. You need to build a buzz about your campaign and keep people interested in it before you launch the campaign. You can agree to do something like getting a new tattoo or sharing something interesting after you can reach the goal. This will keep people more interested. Drive attention to your project from all the social media platforms and increase your chance of going viral.

5. Only promise what you can deliver:

If you promise to offer something that you cannot offer then it is going to disappoint your backers. This is why only promise what you can deliver and deliver the products on time. Review them and double-check before shipping.

6. Expand your market:

Most backers support tangible items instead of broad ideas. Go with an individual product instead of a whole store initially and expand the market for it allowing it to fill a need or a gap for a targeted audience. 

7. Save time by setting up your faq:

It is important that backers get all the answers they wish to know about your campaigns IndieGoGo. However, answering their questions, again and again, is time-consuming. You do not need to waste your time answering all these questions again and again if you set up a FAQ section by anticipating the questions and gathering the list of frequently asked questions. Among all the Indiegogo perk ideas, this one is to save your time and effort.

8. Communicate often with backers:

Among all the Indiegogo perks, communicating with the backers is quite important because it will make them more enthusiastic about your project when you will keep them updated with pictures, news coverage, pledge milestones, others’ responses, etc. This way you can also encourage them to spread the word about your campaign the whole time. In case you are running campaigns Indiegogo for business, good communication with backers can maintain your reputation in case of any unexpected issue like an estimate on the time of delay in launching your products.

9. Outsourcing your fulfillment:

 Picking, shipping, and packing can be challenging and each crowdfunding projects come with unique challenges. This is why you can outsource your fulfillment to make things easier for you and save your time. And Nextsmartship offers reliable crowdfunding fulfillment service. We have been managing everything for our clients from inventory management, picking and packing to shipping. Our speedy international shipping service is affordable as well.

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Examples of successful crowdfunding campaigns:

1. Crowdfunding for Light Repel: Most Portable Mosquito Repeller Ever: 

As the traditional mosquito repellents have a poor effect on mosquitoes and are too heavy to carry, they wanted to make the most effective and portable mosquito repeller ever and this is why they ran this project on Indiegogo. Their crowdfunding was successful because:

• They have a great video for the project.
• They described the product properly in a great manner with photos and details of the product.

2. First Person Shooter: The Definitive FPS Doc:

This is an all-star-cast first-person shooting game that needed crowdfunding for development. 45+ developers were interviewed for this. The reason behind its success:

• The amazing video features all the expert game developers.
• The first photo at the beginning of the description with many details that can make anyone interested.
• Great poster for the game.

3. SHARGEEK Retro 35 GaN Charger:

It is a charger with an eye-catching design that pays homage to classics by charging the notebook at a high speed. Why this project was successful:

• It has great video and eye-catching images.
• The charger is effective, has a great design and they were able to show it properly on this project with images and great description.
• A unique product.

4. Urtopia Carbon Electric Bike – New Urban Utopia:

 It is an electric bike crowdfunding project that weighs 14 KG and has built-in radar, gyroscope, torque sensor, and carbon belt. Reasons why this project was successful:

• Has a great video and the description starts with a photo that describes the features of the bike and grabs attention.
• This project has great professional reviews which made it more appealing.

5. Populele 2 Pro Smart Ukulele:

 It is a music campaign with most backers. It is about a ukulele that allows the users to learn favorite songs in 15 minutes. Why was it successful?

• Its video described its benefits and features properly.
• It is a unique product that will grab the attention of any music enthusiast.
• Great description and the photo shows the number of happy users.

These successful campaigns Indiegogo are seen to be using great Indiegogo perk ideas like getting people’s attention with awesome videos and pictures. They have also shown their reliability with happy users, review videos, and experienced expert collaboration proof. This is how they ran a successful campaign with a great story. Each tip might seem simple but together they can make a huge difference for your campaign. A person can make their campaign interesting, unique, and professional and grab potential backers’ attention even when they are busy.

The post How to Make a Successful Indiegogo Campaign appeared first on NextSmartShip: Global Order Fulfillment for DTC Brands.

Many campaign owners opt for a third-party crowdfunding fulfillment service for their Kickstarter and Indiegogo campaigns. With various rewards needing to be shipped out to a long list of backers, fulfilling these orders is often complicated and overwhelming. If you’re wondering about the ins and outs of crowdfunding shipping fulfillment, this guide has got you covered.

Part 1. What is Crowdfunding Fulfillment Service

Crowdfunding fulfillment is the process that follows a successful crowdfunding campaign. Once backers have pledged money to a project in exchange for a reward, product, or service, the creator of the campaign is responsible for delivering those items to each supporter. This process involves:

1. Inventory Management: Keeping track of all the products or rewards that need to be shipped out, including any variations such as size, color, or model.
2. Order Processing: Sorting out the individual orders, packing the right items, and ensuring they’re sent to the correct address.
3. Shipping & Logistics: Determining the most cost-effective and reliable shipping method, whether domestically or internationally, and ensuring items are delivered in a timely fashion.
4. Customer Communication: Providing backers with updates about the production process, shipping timelines, tracking numbers, and addressing any concerns or issues that arise.
5. Returns & Exchanges: Handling any returns or exchanges in case backers aren’t satisfied with the product or if it arrives damaged.

In essence, crowdfunding order fulfillment is a crucial bridge between a campaign’s promise and its actual delivery. While it might seem straightforward, the complexity of handling hundreds or even thousands of orders simultaneously often necessitates specialized Crowdfunding fulfillment services to ensure a smooth process for both creators and backers.

Part 2. Understanding the Crowdfunding Fulfillment Process

Understanding the crowdfunding fulfillment process is essential for any creator planning a campaign. Breaking down this intricate operation into stages will help in ensuring a seamless delivery experience for backers:

1. Post-Campaign Survey:
   • Objective: Gather detailed information about backers’ product preferences, sizes, colors, shipping addresses, and any other specific needs.
   • Methods: Using tools or platforms like BackerKit, creators can send out surveys to backers, consolidating crucial data for fulfillment.
2. Inventory Assessment & Manufacturing:
   • Objective: Ensure that all promised rewards or products are manufactured to meet the demand.
   • Methods: Work closely with suppliers and manufacturers, providing them with final numbers from the post-campaign survey.
3. Warehouse Receiving:
   • Objective: Safely store and organize the products in preparation for shipping.
   • Methods: Products are shipped from the manufacturer to a warehouse where they are cataloged, organized, and stored.
4. Order Processing & Packing:
   • Objective: Prepare individual packages for each backer based on their survey responses.
   • Methods: Using a combination of manual labor and automated systems, each order is picked, packed with necessary protection, and labeled.
5. Shipping & Logistics:
   • • Objective: Deliver each package to the right backer in a timely fashion.
     • Methods: Partner with reliable shipping carriers and utilize tracking systems to monitor shipments and update backers.

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6. Customer Support & Communication:
   • Objective: Address any concerns, queries, or issues backers might have regarding their shipment.
   • Methods: Maintaining open channels of communication through email, social media, and the crowdfunding platform itself.
7. Returns, Exchanges & Damage Control:
   • Objective: Handle any post-delivery issues such as damaged products, incorrect items, or backers wishing to return/exchange.
   • Methods: Establish a clear policy for returns and exchanges, and ensure efficient systems are in place to process them.
8. Feedback & Improvement:
   • Objective: Continuously improve the fulfillment process based on feedback and lessons learned.
   • Methods: Send out post-delivery surveys, monitor backer feedback, and adjust strategies for future campaigns.

The crowdfunding fulfillment process is an amalgamation of meticulous planning, effective communication, and adaptive strategies. By understanding and mastering each stage, creators can provide backers with a satisfying end-to-end experience, ensuring the success of their current and future campaigns.

Part 3. Challenges to Ship and Fulfill Crowdfunding Rewards

Crowdfunding order fulfillment is not the same as traditional order fulfillment. It’s a critical step in the execution process and an often overlooked part of crowdfunding campaign logistics, but it can make or break your campaign’s success. The most common challenges faced by campaign owners include:

1. Large Volume of Product

After a successful crowdfunding project, campaign creators need to send rewards to all the backers. It can involve many items of different batches, colors, sizes, or faulty product checks. This process can be hectic and complicated for sending rewards to a long list of backers at once in a short period. It requires many workforces since the packing and shipping of these goods have to be efficient and secured.

2. Cost of International Logistics

Most crowdfunding campaigns take place online and are open to supporters from different countries. Sending orders to backers from other countries with various national taxes and custom compliance can incur extra charges. Another factor is the distance and shipping coverage. Couriers have the strict capacity and expensive costs on large and heavy goods traveling to distant destinations. Some backers might live far away from the campaign organizer’s location. All these factors increase the cost of shipping reward items.

3. Large and Fragile Items

Some crowdfunding rewards are fragile high technology products ranging from 3d printers, electric bikes, Solar panel machines, or VR gaming sets. These unique products need different shipping requirements, shipping modes (sea or air shipping), and methods when packing and shipping to avoid any damage. The size, weight, and shipping requirements need to be taken into account.

4. Freight Transport Insurance

Due to the large numbers of crowdfunding rewards items, some third-party crowdfunding packing services hurry to pack and ship items to meet the given delivery time. Sometimes there might be aggressive handling of goods resulting in damaged or lost goods. It’s often difficult for crowdfunding campaign endeavors to sort out claims if products get damaged or lost.

Part 4. Should You Consider Outsourcing Crowdfunding Fulfillment?

Crowdfunding fulfillment is not easy, especially if you are just starting in eCommerce, but with the right partner and plan, you can still get the creative products into the hands of international consumers – and make shipping an asset instead of a liability.

There are many factors involved with crowdfunding fulfillment; prepping and packing all the orders, getting the correct address, and ensuring that your backers receive their rewards on time can be very stressful. By outsourcing, you won’t even have to worry about these things, and to top that off, here is why you should consider outsourcing:

1. Help You Focus on Crowdfunding Itself

Outsourcing crowdfunding fulfillment allows you to focus on other aspects of your business, such as marketing your campaign or product development while ensuring that your customers receive their products on time.

This is where 3PL (third-party logistics) partner comes into play and takes over. All you need to do is pack your products and send them to their fulfillment center, where they will handle all of the other tasks for you.

The idea behind the crowdfunding order fulfillment process is to make things as easy as possible for you by providing a wide range of services.

2. Reach a Larger Audience

Instead of limiting yourself to those within driving distance, you can send your packages across the country or worldwide. It also saves expenses as you won’t have to pay for shipping costs or rent out warehouse space.

3. Get Professional Shipping Advice

Choosing a fulfillment service for your Kickstarter or Indiegogo campaigns will let you have access to experts and high-tech shipping software. This saves you time and costs while ensuring everything goes smoothly. Plus, it helps drive down costs of investing in shipping tech and labor costs, which is crucial, especially at the early stages of your business.

Part 5. Things to Look at When Evaluating Crowdfunding Fulfillment Services

Crowdfunding fulfillment can be a minefield for starters, who often have little to no experience in logistics and warehousing. There are many different options for fulfilling your campaign and shipping the rewards to your backers; which one is best for you will depend on several factors:

1. Location Proximity of Warehouses

To minimize shipping costs and reach backers quickly, you’ll want a fulfillment company that has warehouses close to where your supporters and consumers are located.

For example, if you sell products only in the United States and your company is located on the West Coast, it may take a week or more to reach an East Coast consumer. A Kickstarter fulfillment warehouse located in New York, for example, would significantly reduce delivery time.

So, before signing any agreements or contracts, ensure your fulfillment service company offers international or global shipping, as reaching your target audience is key to staying in the market for the long run.

2. Delivery Speeds

Some crowdfunding fulfillment services only provide ground shipping options, which could take weeks before arrival. Make sure your fulfillment partner can provide fast delivery times for your backers.

A good crowdfunding fulfillment company should be able to deliver your products within 10 days of order, no matter where they’re going. The ideal scenario is that you can get your product shipped within 5 days; however, this may not always be possible if your products are made overseas and need to arrive at the fulfillment center before shipping out.

3. Shipping Costs

Of course, the cost is an essential factor in any business decision. You’ll want to find a shipping partner that provides value for money. You’ll want to spend as little as possible without sacrificing quality and speed.

Start by getting a few quotes from different providers. Make sure they’re all quoting on the same volume, making it easy to compare apples to apples. Some providers charge a flat monthly fee, while others may have minimum orders or charges based on volume or weight. You should also ask about any additional costs, such as setup fees, pick & pack fees, and warehouse storage fees.

4. Packaging Options

Does the 3PL company have many packaging options, including boxes, tubes, shrink-wrapping, and custom packaging?
Remember, different products require different types of packaging, and you don’t want to compromise on the product experience because you are limited by your fulfillment partner’s packaging options.

5. WMS Features & Functionality

You must do your due diligence on what your business priorities are and what features you need the most.

To start, it is recommendable to look for a service that offers basic CRM capabilities so that you can keep track of your backers’ addresses and their reward selections (if applicable).
Then check if the fulfillment company has the WMS (warehouse management system) and OMS (order management system), which play a vital role in tracking order status and saving efforts. After all, easily integrated software is the best way to go.

Part 6. How can NextSmartShip 3PL Help you with Crowdfunding Fulfillment

Now that you’re all set with a solid business idea and have solid financial support, it begs the following question: Which company has all the boxes ticked to get me started on my business journey? Well, this is where NextSmartShip comes in.

At NextSmartShip, you can sit back and work on your innovation and let us sort your crowdfunding logistics. With over 99% shipping coverage, 24/7 customers support, and speedy delivery times in just 2 days for domestic shipping, it’s a viable choice to get your business up and running.

Get Free Quote

1. World-class Fulfillment Service

We have a team of professionals who will pick and pack all your reward items securely for shipment. We help select the best logistics option for your backers. We have experience calculating the exact pricing structure of your fulfillment, tax and customs clearance, insurance, and competitive pricing for couriers. We do the heavy lifting for you to save time, money, and effort. We are also a technology-driven third-party logistics company. Our fulfillment software enables you to import backer’s data and track the shipping status. Our fulfillment software is simple and user-friendly. Our customer service is always available to solve any issues with your fulfillment.

2. Budget Friendly Costs

We are a reputable fulfillment company. We have the solid bargaining power to get you discounts on your courier prices. We have different shipping carriers with different prices you can choose from depending on your shipping cost and requirements. We have a system that intelligently recommends many shipping methods based on the destination and shipping requirements to reduce shipping costs.

The cost of warehousing can take a big chunk of your fulfillment cost. At NextSmartShip, we make our fulfillment and warehousing fees affordable for our customers. Our technology leverages data and automation to drive down shipping costs and transit times so that you can save even more.

To ease your fulfillment service with us, we offer a free 30 days of warehouse storage with no account setup fee or goods receiving cost.

3. Speedy International Shipping:

We have an extensive network of over 75 shipping companies and fulfillment warehouses globally in China, the USA, the UK, Australia, and Europe. We can get discounted rates to help you lower your shipping costs and reduce tax duties. With our fast delivery services, you can leave a great impression on your backers and make them become your loyal customers. Once your goods are dispatched from our fulfillment centers, we have a real-time tracking system till the goods get to your backers.

4. Personal 1 to 1 Account Manager:

Whether you are new or familiar with crowdfunding order fulfillment, we have a dedicated account manager for each customer. Our account managers are experienced with shipping reward items for campaign creators on popular platforms like Indiegogo and Kickstarter. They will help you with budgeting and planning to ensure a smooth fulfillment experience. They will advise you on the best packaging methods and the shipping routes that work for you. They will always be available and solve any issues with your fulfillment account.

Part 7. How Does NextSmartship Crowdfunding Dulfillment Work

Let’s walk through the general steps to cooperate with NextSmartShip.

Step 1. Contact Sales consultant

Tell the Sales consultant more about the number of rewards items that need to be shipped and the production cycle, if they are finished products or still in the production stage, and the shipping cost budget so we can provide a shipping strategy for you.

Get Free Quote

Step 2. Set up an account

After you agree to the quotation provided by the Sales consultant, you can set up an account on NextSmartShip platform so you can import backer’s data into our system for fulfillment in a few clicks.

Step 3. Send your crowdfunding products

Ship your reward items to any of NextSmartShip global warehouses to be stored safely and ready to be fulfilled.

Step 4. Pick, pack, and ship

When you place a request on NextSmartShip fulfillment software to ship an item to your backers, we will assign it to the closest fulfillment center. We will pack and send it based on your request.

Step 5. Fulfill successfully

Once dispatched, the system will send a tracking number to your backers. You can track the shipping status through our software dashboard.

Try NextSmartShip crowdfunding fulfillment today! Get 60 days of free warehousing with access to top-notch technology and professionals to enjoy a stress-free crowdfunding fulfillment experience!

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After a successful Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign, the journey doesn’t conclude. It’s essential to uphold your commitment to the crowdfunding backers.

Indiegogo fulfillment, especially for physical products, can become complex and exhausting for those unfamiliar with e-commerce fulfillment processes.

For Indiegogo users, you need an Indiegogo fulfillment that works well with your products specification to meet your crowdfunding backers’ promise.

In this article, you learn all you need to know about Indiegogo reward fulfillment solutions available with NextSmartShip.

Let’s dive in together.

What is Indiegogo?

Indiegogo is a crowdfunding platform launched in 2007, and as of 2020, it has 9 million strong backers.

Indiegogo platform boasts of having supported over 800,000 creative projects. Here are some of the main factors that set Indiegogo apart;

• You get a variety of crowdfunding services suit for your project.

• You can launch campaigns for any type of project, although retail ventures are the most common.

• The platform doesn’t charge any fees for non-profit campaigns.

• It doesn’t pre-screen campaigns before they launch like the other platforms.

• It has excellent customer support.

How does Indiegogo work?

If it’s your first time planning to launch an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign, then you need to understand how it works.

First, you set up an Indiegogo campaign page, tell your story, and introduce the project to potential backers. The aim is to raise enough to fund the idea or project.

Some of the categories where major crowdfunding campaigns have succeed include;

• Home

• Tech and innovation

• Energy and green tech

• Animal rights

• Community rights

• Transportation

• Healthcare and fitness.

An example of an Indiegogo top crowdfunding campaign is an eyewear company, Stoggles, that raised $1.8 million and continues with Indiegogo’s InDemand feature.

InDemand feature makes it possible for you to continue raising funds even after the period for the initial campaign has elapsed.

Also, the Indiegogo platform has Marketplace where creators can create online stores to sell their products. However, due to the pandemic, the service is currently suspended.

When you compare Indiegogo vs. Kickstarter or any other crowdfunding alternatives, Indiegogo has more flexibility than almost all of them.

For terms on fees after your campaign finishes (probably after 60 days), you are expected to pay in the following percentages;

• Payment processing fees is 2.9% + $ 0.30 / pledge

• Basic platform usage fees;  5%  of funds raised

• InDemand campaigns are 5% of the funds raised.

For you to qualify to do an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign, you must be eligible to these rules;

1. No funding for illegal projects on the platform.

• Zero tolerance to scam campaigns.

• The age limit starts at 13 years, but those below 17 years must have a guardian who is over 18 years.

• No crowdfunding for products that might harm others.

Before you start your campaign, you need to understand how to plan your Indiegogo campaign effectively.

After a successful Indiegogo campaign, you need to fulfill your promise to your backers by shipping the product to them.

What do you need to know about Indiegogo fulfillment?

Shipping a crowdfunded product to your backers can cost between 10-15% of the funds.

But with a strategic plan before launching on how you will fulfill orders from the Indiegogo crowdfunding platform, the percentage gets reduced.

Here are some key factors to consider;

a. Your target market.

Where do you want the majority of your backers to come from?

However, keep in mind that 38% of backers come from the U.S, while Canada and the United Kingdom have 7%, only followed by Australia with 6%.

b. Product packaging

Let’s assume you are new to shipping.

What happens in shipping packages is that they are charged according to actual weight, often size and volume will be taken into account too, which is called the package’s dimensional weight.

If you know the package your product will fit and can reduce it, it will save you a lot from the shipping fees. Also, with the right shipping package, you can secure your product from damage.

c. Duties and taxes

This depends on the products because each country has its own tax rules that customers who buy the product into that country must adhere to.

You need to know if additional charges as tax and duties levied to customers who buy your product. Your order fulfillment partner will help with this.

How do you choose an Indiegogo fulfillment partner?

Outsourcing your Indiegogo order fulfillment to a third-party(3PL) fulfillment  NextSmartShip has significant benefits;

• You get you Indiegogo order professionally packaged and shipped for you.

• You get the opportunity to ship your product from multiple warehouse centers in major crowdfunding backers regions in the world.

• You don’t need to learn the complexity of the order fulfillment and delivery process.

A reliable 3PL fulfilllment partner must have; the right technology to seamlessly integrate with your Indiegogo order fulfillment, the ability to manage bulky shipments, the right warehousing management system( WMS), and global warehousing centers for fast delivery.

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Choosing the right crowdfunding platform for your campaign is one of the first issues that project creators need to address. Kickstarter and Indiegogo are the most notable crowdfunding solutions in the industry. What may work with Kickstarter might not work with Indiegogo. Understanding differences between the two platforms will help you pick out the right option for you.

Are you ready to get started?

Indiegogo Vs Kickstarter. Ok. Let’s dig in!

Overview

Kickstarter is the world’s biggest crowdfunding platform for creative projects.  In 2016, its campaigns raised $2.6 billion and had a campaign success rate of 36 percent- the highest on any crowdfunding platform. In 2017, Kickstarter boasted 118,000 successful projects and had 12 million backers. In addition, over 200 broke the $1 million mark.

Indiegogo is more open about accepting projects from different categories. In 2016, it managed to raise $950 million and had a nine percent success rate. Even though its numbers are not as impressive, Indiegogo boasts about 7000 active campaigns. It also hosts around 270 new campaigns on a daily basis.

Key Differences

Now let’s look at the key differences between Indiegogo and Kickstarter.

Available categories

Kickstarter offers 15 campaign categories in the creative industry including Art, Music, Publishing, Film &, Food, Journalism, Photography, Technology, Games, Fashion, Design, Crafts, Comics, Theatre, and Dance.

Indiegogo expanded its category list back in 2017 to offer 24 categories. This list includes a broader collection of projects. For instance, some categories you’ll find include Education, Tech and Design, Health and Fitness, Phones and Accessories, and Transportation. They’re more open to a wide range of businesses as well as projects.

Qualifying criteria

In its mission of supporting the arts, Kickstarter is strict about hosting projects. It provides some strict rules on what’s allowed on its platform. Below are some of Kickstarter’s campaign rules.

• The goal of your project has to be creating something that can be shared.
• If your project involves object creation, you have to include an actual product prototype.
• Your item must fall under their eligibility standards using their prohibited list of items.
• You cannot provide revenue sharing, equity or investments for people to donate to your project.

Furthermore, you’ll need to meet these requirements:

• Be 18 years of age or older.
• Be a permanent resident of Kickstarter’s eligible countries.
• Have a major debit or credit card, an address, and a government-issued ID in the country you’ll be creating your project.
• Possess a major credit or debit card.

To apply for a Kickstarter campaign, they require an application and approval process. You are in charge of content on your project page but they offer the Creator’s Handbook to help you make your project stand out. Once you’re done, you’ll submit the application for their review.

On the other hand, Indiegogo is less strict about the type of projects hosted. You can create tangible projects, community projects, educational campaigns, and nonprofits. However, Indiegogo doesn’t allow campaigns for a personal cause.

Just like Kickstarter, Indiegogo allows you to create rewards for your backers provided that they’re in line with their terms of use. Indiegogo doesn’t have an approval process and all you’ll need is a video for your pitch, a written description about why you need to raise money, and a perks system.

Review process

When Kickstarter reviews your project, its “Launch Now” feature utilizes an algorithm.  This determines if your project is ready to go live. Kickstarter will manually review your campaign if it doesn’t qualify.

Indiegogo doesn’t have a review process. All you have to do is click the “Start a Campaign” at the top right corner of their home page and you’re good to go.

Supported countries

Kickstarter is supported in the US, UK, Canada, New Zealand, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Ireland, Switzerland, Belgium, Austria, Singapore, Hong Kong, Luxembourg, and Mexico.

Indiegogo supports a project in any country supported by PayPal that’s available in over 200 countries.

Funding type

Kickstarter offers an all or nothing type of funding for its crowdfunding projects. This means that if your crowdfunding goal is $7000, you’ll need to raise the exact amount or you’ll walk away with nothing.

In contrast, Indiegogo offers two funding options including fixed funding and flexible funding. Fixed Funding returns all contributions to funders if the crowdfunding goal isn’t met. The Flexible Funding option lets campaigners keep any amount of money raised whether the campaign goal isn’t reached or not.

Fees

Both Kickstarter and Indiegogo use Stripe as their main payment processing option.  It charges a processing fee that ranges from 3% to 5% depending on the currency and the location of your bank. As per Stripe’s policies, additional fees may be taken from campaign contributions from outside the campaign owner’s country. 

Let’s look at a side by side fees comparison of Kickstarter and Indiegogo.

You can choose Kickstarter’s Stretch goals to feature if you’re still far from your deadline. Stretch goals are meant for creators to raise more money for their campaign as long as your initial goal is met. Coolest Cooler is one of the most famous Kickstarter crowdfunding stories. They set their funding goal to $50,000 but ended up raising over $13million.

Indiegogo also offers In Demand that goes into effect once an initial campaign reaches the deadline and achieves its goal. Campaigners can choose to end their crowdfunding projects whenever they wish.

Our Takeaway 

The crowdfunding solution you choose depends on your project or the product you’re creating. If your creative project that’s within the confines of Kickstarter’s regulations, then Kickstarter could be the better option for you. Its sheer size and audience reach make it easier to find access to backers for your creative project.

Indiegogo offers more flexibility and diversity in crowdfunding campaigns. Flexible funding is also attractive when your project fails to reach its goal.

You’ve completed your successful crowdfunding campaign, what’s next?! Next is figuring out how to fulfill and ship the orders for your backer rewards and pre-orders. NextSmartShip is here to make crowdfunding fulfillment as pain-free as possible. We understand that managing all the logistics for your project can be stressful with last-minute changes and order sizes that dwarf your initial projections. Don’t worry, we’re here to help.

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