Crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter have transformed the way creators bring their ideas to life. From indie games (independent games), smart gadgets, to fashion lines and board games, Kickstarter provides an amazing opportunity to raise capital and foster a community even before a product reaches the market. However, there is a crucial phase that often determines a campaign’s long-term reputation: fulfillment.

Many promising campaigns are derailed not by a lack of funding, but by poor planning, miscommunication, or underestimating the complexities involved in delivering rewards to the backers.

In this blog post, we will explore the most common fulfillment pitfalls Kickstarter creators face and how to avoid them.

Jump right in: Avoiding Common Fulfillment Pitfalls in Kickstarter Campaigns

• How to Deliver on Promises and Keep Backers Happy
• Underestimating Shipping Costs
• Overpromising and Under-Delivering on Timelines
• Failing to Plan for Scale
• Ignoring the Importance of a Fulfillment Partner
• Neglecting the Importance of Surveys
• Overlooking Legal and Tax Implications
• Inadequate Quality Control
• Failing to Communicate After the Campaign
• Not Preparing for Post-Kickstarter Transition
• Summary

How to Deliver on Promises and Keep Backers Happy

You might be wondering, “Why is keeping my backers happy so important?” The answer goes far beyond just your current campaign; it directly influences your brand’s long-term credibility and the success of any future projects, like a second edition of your board game or a new product launch.

Backers are not just supporters; they are your first customers and potential brand advocates. When they’re satisfied, they are far more likely to share your campaign with others, fueling momentum through word-of-mouth and social media exposure. This organic promotion can be one of the most powerful drivers of growth for your campaign.

On the other hand, unhappy backers can do considerable damage to your brand. Negative feedback often surfaces publicly on your campaign page, Kickstarter comments, Reddit threads, or review sites. Once those trusts broken, it can deter new backers and harm future crowdfunding attempts, retail partnerships, or product launches.

Your campaign sets the foundation for your business reputation. Treating your backers with transparency, respect, and timely communication is not optional; it is a strategic necessity.

Success Story: Exploding Kittens

The creators of Exploding Kittens raised over $8 million from more than 200,000 backers. Their frequent, humorous updates and on-time delivery helped create a loyal fan base. The brand now has multiple expansions, a mobile app, and a retail presence in major stores.

Failure Story: Zano Drone

The Zano Drone campaign raised over $3 million but failed to deliver a functional product. Poor communication and missed deadlines led to massive backlash. A BBC investigation followed, and the campaign became one of Kickstarter’s most public failures, damaging trust in future hardware projects.

10 Steps to Take to Ensure You Have a Successful Campaign!

1. Don’t Under Estimate Shipping Costs

One of the most common and expensive mistakes creators make is underestimating the actual cost of delivering their product to backers. Shipping logistics are rarely simple, particularly within the United States. Factors such as carrier zone-based pricing, package weight and dimensions, international customs, packaging materials, and ever-changing carrier rates can all significantly affect your bottom line.

Avoid it by:

• Getting quotes early: Use shipping calculators or consult with a fulfillment partner to estimate costs accurately.
• Accounting for international backers: Offering worldwide shipping is great, but international rates vary wildly. Make sure you factor in VAT, customs duties, and any country-specific fees.
• Including buffer costs: Add a 10-20% buffer in your budget for potential rate changes, packaging upgrades, or unexpected logistics issues.

2. Don’t Overpromise and Under-Deliver on Timelines

Creators often give overly optimistic delivery timelines to excite backers. Unfortunately, delays are rampant, campaigns ship months or even years later. Some delays are unavoidable, failing to set realistic expectations can damage your campaign’s credibility and hurt future campaigns.

Avoid it by:

• Building a production schedule with contingency time: Factors in delays in manufacturing, quality control, shipping, and customs.
• Communicating clearly: If delays happen (and they do), update backers honestly and frequently. No one ever said that you can over-communicate when backers are concerned.
• Avoiding guesswork: Do not announce shipping dates until you have secured manufacturing and fulfillment partners and have a clear view of the timeline.

3. Failing to Plan for Scale

When your campaign unexpectedly goes viral and raises hundreds of thousands, or even millions of dollars, it is easy to get swept up in the excitement. What was manageable at five hundred units may become a logistical nightmare at 5,000 or 50,000 units!

Avoid it by:

• Designing for scale: Choose manufacturers and fulfillment partners that can manage higher volumes.
• Standardizing rewards: Too many variants (e.g., sizes, colors, bundles) can complicate inventory tracking and packaging.
• Automating wherever possible: Use project management and fulfillment software to track orders, print labels, and manage backer information efficiently.

4. Don’t Ignore the Importance of a Fulfillment Partner

Trying to do everything yourself, especially as your campaign scales, can lead to chaos. From warehousing and inventory management to pick-and-pack services and international shipping, using a professional fulfillment partner, like eFulfillment Service, which has handled thousands of campaigns, can streamline the entire process.

Avoid it by:

• Researching early: Start looking into fulfillment partners before your campaign ends.
• Comparing multiple providers: Look at costs, reviews, geographic locations, and integration with Kickstarter tools or your e-commerce platform. Using a fulfillment partner with one central location can help minimize costs.
• Clarifying expectations: Ensure you understand their timelines, fee structures, storage policies, and return processes.

5. Avoid Confusing Reward Tiers

Confusing or overly complicated reward tiers can lead to backer dissatisfaction, incorrect orders, or fulfillment mistakes. This often happens when creators offer too many customization options, add-ons, or last-minute stretch goals.

Avoid it by:

• Keeping tiers simple: Limit the number of SKUs (stock-keeping units) and offer clear, tier-based rewards.
• Using visuals: Graphics showing exactly what is included at each tier can reduce confusion and improve conversion.
• Locking tiers early: Avoid making major changes after the campaign launches. If you must introduce stretch goals or add-ons, do so in a clear and structured way.

6. Don’t Neglect the Importance of Surveys

Post-campaign surveys are your opportunity to collect shipping addresses, reward preferences, and other important fulfillment details. But poorly timed or unclear surveys can lead to incomplete or inaccurate data and leave you scrambling to get these details.

Avoid it by:

• Using proven tools: Platforms like BackerKit or PledgeBox offer robust survey and fulfillment tools.
• Sending surveys at the right time: Do not rush the survey process. Wait until you are closer to fulfillment and confident in your product lineup.
• Double-checking data: Set deadlines for backers to complete surveys and follow up with stragglers. Review addresses for errors or missing information.

7. Don’t Overlook Legal and Tax Implications

The crowdfunding income may be taxable; countries require specific documentation or tax ID numbers for importing goods. Failing to account for these can result in costly surprises.

Avoid it by:

• Consulting with a tax advisor: Especially if you are shipping globally or raising substantial amounts.
• Researching VAT and customs requirements: The EU, UK, and Canada have particularly strict rules.
• Budgeting for taxes: Set aside a portion of your funds for income tax and international duties.

8. Don’t Use Inadequate Quality Control

Imagine finally getting your product to backers only for them to discover broken, defective, or missing components. Even a small quality issue can snowball into customer service nightmares and refund requests.

Avoid it by:

• Building in time for quality assurance: Inspect samples at every stage: prototype, pre-production, and final production.
• Testing packaging: Simulate real-world shipping conditions to prevent damage in transit.
• Keeping spares: Always produce extra units (typically 5-10%) to cover replacements, losses, or last-minute changes.

9. Remember to Communicate After the Campaign

Your backers are not just customers; they are early supporters who believed in your vision. Going silent after the campaign ends is a surefire way to erode trust, even if fulfillment is on schedule.

Avoid it by:

• Setting a communication schedule: Even if there is no major update, a quick check-in every few weeks goes a long way.
• Being transparent: Share photos of production, packaging, or shipping stages. If there’s unwelcome news, be honest about it.
• Creating a community: Consider setting up a Facebook group or Discord server where backers can connect and ask questions.

10. Be Prepared for Post-Kickstarter Transition

Once your campaign ends and the reward orders have shipped, your journey is not over; it is just the beginning. Many creators struggle with the Post-Kickstarter transition to a sustainable business model.

Avoid it by:

• Planning for retail or e-commerce: Use Kickstarter as a launchpad, not the end goal. Have a plan for selling the remaining inventory through your website or marketplaces like Amazon or Etsy.
• Collecting feedback: Use backer insights to refine your product for future batches or versions.
• Keeping the list warm: Your backers are your most loyal audience; keep them engaged with newsletters or first access to future projects.