Platforms such as Kickstarter and Indiegogo give you the opportunity to raise funds for a startup project, as well as receive exposure.
But these crowdfunding websites don’t provide you with everything you’ll need to successfully deliver on your campaign promises: such as order management.
Third-party tool such as:
can help you to manage your orders, as well as increase funding, manage your campaigns, and streamline processes.
But what are the differences between these platforms?
Which one is right for your crowdfunding project?
In this article, we’re answering those questions for you so that you can be as equipped as possible to smash your funding goal.
Off we go!
BackerKit & Crowd OX
BackerKit is indisputably one of the most powerful third-party tools that can work alongside any Kickstarter or Indiegogo campaign. Founded in 2013, their platform is your one-stop shop for your entire project, from surveys all the way to shipping.
And as of November 2020, one of their largest competitors in Crowd OX was combined into the team. The merger of these pledge management powerhouses means taking all the best parts from each platform and integrating them to give you, the creator, the best single experience possible.
BackerKit also has other features such as the building of a pre-order website, BackerKit Launch, and specialized crowdfunding marketing through BackerKit Marketing.
But what creators like most about BackerKit is it’s seamless order management system. Here’s how it works:
- You send surveys to your backers
- BackerKit automatically turns the responses into data
- You send that data to your order fulfillment center
It couldn’t be easier.
You’ll also have the functionality to recommend add-on items and automation of processing pledges. Their team has a great reputation for being available at all times, which can be especially helpful for first-time creators.
Overall, BackerKit is one of the most trusted order management systems for crowdfunders across the world. They’re a super safe bet, and you can always count on their support!
To learn more about BackerKit and all it’s functionalities, make sure to visit this article:
BackerKit Review: Is it Worth Trying?
PledgeBox
While PledgeBox was left behind in the monumental merger between BackerKit and PledgeBox, they are still trusted today by many crowdfunders looking for assistance when it comes to order management.
In general, the platform is more geared towards upselling backers. Their surveys are designed to show you want potential add-ons your customers want as you move through your campaign, and even into ecommerce.
Their survey process is:
- Connect your campaign
- Configure Products & Rewards
- Send Survey
- Get more sales & shipping rewards
Although PledgeBox doesn’t have the portfolio that BackerKit does, their list of success stories is still impressive. The company has been involved in several widely successful campaigns, including (to name just a few):
- LaserPecker 2: Raised $5.9 million from 7,037 backers
- SPAWN Action Figure: Raised $3.45 million from 23,761 backers
- ChopBox: Raised $1.19 million from 13,015 backers
If you’re wanting to get some more first-hand testimonials about the PledgeBox product, I highly recommend that you read some reviews from real creators.
What Pledge Manager Should You Use For Your Campaign?
When it comes to selecting a pledge management software for your project, there’s some good news: You really can’t go wrong.
That’s what’s so great about the crowdfunding industry as a whole. Most companies are out to actually help and deliver value to you — so rest assured that you aren’t going to get burned by either BackerKit or PledgeBox.
When it comes to making your decision, go with your gut. Reach out to both platforms, and see which one feels more attentive to your needs.
See who you connect with. Right off the bat, you should be able to tell if the relationship will prove to be fruitful.
Here at CrowdCrux, we personally recommend that most of our students use BackerKit. Especially after their merger with Crowd OX, there is just so much great functionality that can really elevate your campaign.
We also haven’t heard about any slippage in their outstanding customer service as the company scales.
But at the end of the day, the decision is up to you. Take your time, do your research, and we’re sure that you’ll come away satisfied with both platform’s services!
Conclusions & Additional Resources
We hope that this article was helpful for you as you sift through the process of choosing a pledge management system for your crowdfunding project.
Pledge management is just one element of running a crowdfunding campaign — which is a lot more intensive than many first-time creators think it will be.
CrowdCrux is all about giving you the resources you need to launch a Kickstarter or Indiegogo project on your own or give you personalized coaching.
Here are some ways that we help you out:
- Subscribe to the once-weekly newsletter for insights delivered straight to your inbox.
- Check out the Crowdfunding Demystified Podcast where the founder of CrowdCrux Salvador Briggman interviews founders to discover insider secrets.
- Subscribe to the Youtube Channel
- The Kickstarter Launch Formula: Course and Book
We hope that this article has been helpful for you! Always remember: CrowdCrux is your go-to crowdfunding resource.
Good luck with your campaign!
