Grow your ecommerce store · Product launches · 2 min read
What Makes the Best Kickstarter Products Succeed
Short answer
The best Kickstarter products solve a familiar problem in a visibly better way, are easy to show in a short video, and come from creators who built an audience before launch. Board games, tabletop games, gadgets, everyday carry, design objects and creative projects are consistently strong categories.
Kickstarter is a product launch platform in disguise. Successful campaigns validate demand, raise cash for the first production run and build a customer list, all before inventory exists. Even if you never crowdfund, the patterns are worth stealing.
Categories that consistently do well
- Tabletop and board games. A loyal community that backs regularly and loves stretch goals.
- Gadgets and tech accessories. Chargers, lights, audio and phone accessories.
- Everyday carry. Wallets, knives, pens, bags and organisers. See Kickstarter wallets.
- Design objects. Furniture, lighting, homeware and kitchen tools with a strong aesthetic.
- Comics, books and art. Creators with existing readers.
- Outdoor and travel gear. Lighter, packable, multi-use.
What winning campaigns have in common
A visible improvement
Backers should understand the benefit in seconds. "A backpack that opens flat like a suitcase" is clear. "A revolutionary lifestyle carry solution" is not.
A great video
The first ten seconds show the product doing the thing. The rest covers who made it, how it is built and why it costs what it costs.
An audience before launch
Most strong campaigns gather email subscribers and social followers for weeks or months first. Early backers on day one create momentum that the platform rewards.
Clear reward tiers
Early-bird, standard and bundle tiers. Too many options confuse people.
Honest timelines
Experienced creators pad their delivery estimates and post regular updates.
Lessons for ecommerce stores
| Kickstarter habit | Store equivalent |
|---|---|
| Pre-launch email list | Waitlist page before you launch a product |
| Early-bird tier | Early access for subscribers |
| Stretch goals | Unlock a colour or accessory at a sales milestone |
| Campaign updates | Behind-the-scenes emails |
| Backer comments | Reviews and community |
We apply these in 10 tips for a successful product launch and how to launch a product online.
Planning a campaign budget
Before launching, estimate:
| Cost | Examples |
|---|---|
| Prototyping | Samples, design revisions |
| Video and photos | Equipment or production help |
| Pre-launch marketing | Ads to build a waitlist |
| Platform and payment fees | Percentage of funds raised |
| Manufacturing | Tooling, minimum order quantities |
| Fulfilment | Packaging, shipping, customs, taxes |
| Contingency | Buffer for delays and price changes |
Set your funding goal at a level that covers real costs, not just a number that looks easy to hit.
After funding: becoming a store
Successful campaigns often turn into ecommerce brands. Typical next steps are a pre-order page for latecomers, a Shopify store once stock arrives, email updates converting backers into repeat customers, and retail or wholesale conversations. The backer list is valuable: treat backers well and keep them informed, and they become your first loyal customers.
The risks
Crowdfunding can go wrong. Manufacturing costs rise, shipping gets expensive, and delays frustrate backers. Before launching, cost out the product, packaging, fulfilment, fees and taxes, and leave a buffer. A funded campaign that loses money on every unit is not a success.
Frequently asked questions
What sells best on Kickstarter?
Games, especially tabletop games, have long been one of Kickstarter's biggest categories by money raised. Design and technology products follow, along with comics and publishing.
Is Kickstarter all-or-nothing?
Yes. Projects are only funded if they reach their goal by the deadline. If they miss, backers are not charged.
How much does Kickstarter charge?
Kickstarter charges a platform fee on funded projects plus payment processing fees. Check its fees page for current rates in your country.
Sources and further reading
Platform features, prices and policies change. Check the official help pages linked above before you act on a detail that matters to your store.