Top 5 Ways to Get Your Product in Front of Retail Buyers

Want to know how to sell to retail buyers? Independent entrepreneurs often have a tough time breaking into the retail market. It can be hard to get your product in front of the buyers who can make or break your business. Don’t give up though; there are plenty of ways to get your product in front of retail buyers. Here are five of the best tips.

How do I get my product in front of a buyer?

There’s no doubt that getting your product in front of a buyer can be a challenge. With so many products on the market, it can be difficult to know where to start. However, there are a few things you can do to increase your chances of success. 

Develop a retail pitch strategy & plan

Make a list of potential buyers and know how to contact buyers for retail stores. Once you’ve identified your target buyer, it’s time to start making a list of potential retailers. Try to be as specific as possible, and include both online and brick-and-mortar stores. 

Then, craft a personalized pitch. Buyers receive countless pitches every day, so it’s important to make yours stand out. Take the time to customize your pitch for each retailer, highlighting why their customers would love your product. 

Once you have your pitch in place, you can come up with a strategy and plan for how you will get your products to the right people. 

Identify your target audience 

Do your research. It’s important to understand the needs and wants of your target buyer. What type of products do they typically purchase? What are their pain points? Knowing this information will help you tailor your pitch and increase your chances of success.

Traditional media

Although digital marketing has become increasingly popular in recent years, there are still many benefits to using traditional media to get your product in front of buyers. For one thing, traditional media outlets tend to have a larger audience reach than digital channels. 

Influencer marketing

By partnering with influencers who have a large following on platforms like Instagram and YouTube, you can reach a wider audience and build interest in your product. In addition, influencer marketing can help to create a sense of authenticity and trust around your brand. 

Blogger outreach / collaborations

If you’re looking to get your product in front of potential buyers, then blogger outreach and collaborations are a great way to do it. By working with bloggers who have an engaged audience, you can get your product in front of people who are interested in what you have to offer. Additionally, bloggers often have influence within their niche, so if they give your product a positive review, it can help to increase interest and sales. 

Find the right distributor

There are a few resources that can help you find the right distributor for your product. The first step is to identify your target market. Once you know who your target buyer is, you can start to research distributors who specialize in reaching that market. You can also look for distributors who provide the type of distribution channels that you’re interested in, such as online retailers or brick-and-mortar stores. 

Finally, be sure to check out the terms of each distributor to find one that offers favorable terms for your business.

Use social media 

Most businesses today have some presence on social media, but many are still unsure of how to use it effectively to reach their target audiences.  Start by identifying who you are  trying to reach with your product or service. Once you know this, you can start to narrow down which social media platforms they are most likely to be active on. Then you can start creating content that will resonate with your target audience. This means posting engaging photos and videos, as well as helpful blog posts or articles.

Be unique

By offering something that no one else does, you’ll be able to capture the attention of potential buyers and stand out from your competitors. Of course, being unique doesn’t mean that you should try to be weird or different for the sake of it. Instead, focus on what makes your product special and highlight that in your marketing.

Provide analytics data

As any successful business owner knows, data is essential for making informed decisions about your product or service. By analyzing data, you can gain insights into who your buyers are, what they’re looking for, and how to best reach them. But with so much data available, it can be difficult to know where to start.one way to make sense of it all is to use analytics data to get your product in front of potential buyers. 

By tracking data such as web traffic, social media engagement, and online reviews, you can identify which channels are most effective for reaching your target audience. You can then use this information to adjust your marketing strategy and ensure that your product is seen by the people who are most likely to buy it. 

Make sure you have the products you need – when you need them 

As a business owner, it’s important to make sure you have the products you need – when you need them. That’s where inventory financing comes in. Inventory financing is a type of loan that allows you to purchase inventory upfront, so you can get your product in front of buyers right away. 

This can be a great way to grow your business, because it gives you the working capital you need to buy inventory in bulk and get your product out there. 

Other tips for pitching your product to retail buyers

Before you start pitching your product to retail buyers, there are a few things you should keep in mind.

Again, it’s important to have a clear and concise elevator pitch that highlights the key features and benefits of your product. You should also be prepared to answer any questions the buyer may have about your product, including price point and minimum order quantity. It’s also helpful to have visual aids, such as photographs or product samples, to help the buyer visualize your product in their store. 

Finally, be sure to emphasize why your product is a good fit for their store and what sets it apart from the competition. By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to making a successful pitch to retail buyers.

How Kickfurther can help grow your business

As any business owner knows, inventory is essential for keeping the doors open and the lights on. But stocking up on inventory can also be a major drain on finances, especially for small businesses. Kickfurther offers a unique solution to this problem: inventory financing

With Kickfurther, businesses can apply for loans of up to millions of dollars to finance their inventory. 

The best part is that the money can be in your account in as little as 24 hours, so you can buy inventory with no delays. Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been in business for years, Kickfuther can help you grow your business by giving you the capital you need to stock up on inventory.

Wrapping up

Retail buyers are inundated with products, so it can be difficult to get your product on their radar. However, if you follow the tips we’ve outlined in this blog post, you will give yourself a better chance of being successful. Consider which of these tactics would work best for your product and start putting together a plan today. 

Best alternative lending options for startups

Startups often struggle to secure funding and as frustrating as it may be – you can understand why. Traditional forms of financing are not exactly designed for financing. From their strict requirements to high cost, startups may need to find alternative lending options. But, do startup alternative lending options exist? 

What is alternative lending?

Alternative lending is an out-of-the-box way to secure funding. It’s highly sought after by startups because of its unique requirements and flexibility. While there’s a degree of risk involved, it can help startups get the funds they need to grow their business. As a startup you’ll need to determine which alternative methods of financing are legitimate and which aren’t. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Try to stick with well-known platforms such as Kickfurther for alternative lending options.

Do alternative lending options exist for startups?

The days of depending on banks for small business loans are long gone. With the rise of technology and startups, alternative funding options are becoming more available.

One popular option is crowdfunding, which allows businesses to raise money from a large pool of investors. For example, sites like Kickstarter and Indiegogo allow businesses to post campaigns and solicit donations from the general public. 

Another option is microlending, which involves borrowing small amounts of money from a large group of people. This type of lending typically has a lower interest rate than traditional loans, making it a more affordable option for startups. In addition, many startups are now turning to venture capitalists for funding. 

While this option requires giving up equity in the company, it can provide the capital needed to get off the ground. 

Lastly, for inventory funding or working capital, you can use platforms such as Kickfurther. Kickfurther connects brands to a community of backers who help fund inventory on consignment and give brands flexibility to pay that back as they receive cash from sales. As a bonus, it’s much cheaper than traditional forms of inventory financing.

As you can see, there are a number of alternative lending options available for startups. With a little research, you should be able to find the perfect option for your business.

Common reasons why startups seek alternative financing

Startups usually have a shorter track record than established businesses, which can make it difficult to secure traditional forms of financing such as bank loans.

 In addition, startups often have yet to generate a steady stream of revenue, making them a riskier investment for lenders. 

As a result, many startups seek alternative sources of financing such as venture capital or angel investors. These investors are typically more willing to take risks on new businesses, and they can provide the necessary capital to help a startup get off the ground.

In addition, startup lending alternative options can help a startup reach its full potential by giving it the resources it needs to grow and scale quickly.

Examples of best alternative lending options

There are a variety of financing options available to small businesses, each with its own set of benefits and drawbacks. Ultimately, the best financing option for a small business will depend on the specific needs and circumstances of the business.

Business line of credit

A business line of credit can give startups access to a revolving line of credit. While this can help cash flow, you’ll probably need collateral to secure the line of credit with.

Inventory financing

Inventory financing can be a good option for businesses with high inventory turnover, as it allows them to free up working capital that would otherwise be tied up in inventory.

Merchant cash advance

Merchant cash advances are a good option for businesses that need funding and can repay the loan using future credit card sales. Merchant cash advances typically have high interest rates, but they offer quick access to capital and flexible repayment terms.

Merchant cash advances are ideal for businesses that have a steady stream of credit card sales, as they provide a quick infusion of cash without the need for collateral. 

Working capital loan

Working capital loans are ideal for businesses that need to cover short-term expenses, such as inventory or payroll. These loans typically have flexible repayment terms and can be paid back over time as the business generates revenue.

P2P Lending

Another option is to take out a loan from a peer-to-peer lending platform such as LendingClub or Prosper. These platforms connect borrowers with investors who are willing to provide loans at competitive rates. 

Bridge loans

Bridge loans are another option for businesses that need financing for a short-term project or goal. Bridge loans typically have higher interest rates than other types of loans, but they can provide the cash needed to help a business bridge the gap between two financing rounds.

Micro Financing

Microfinancing is an increasingly popular option for businesses with limited access to traditional financing, as it offers smaller loans at more affordable rates.

Business credit cards

Finally, you could also consider getting a business credit card. This can be a good way to access financing, as well as earn rewards that can be used to help grow your business. 

Business credit cards can be a convenient way to finance business expenses, but they typically have high interest rates and fees. 

Which alternative lending option is right for your business?

If you’re a small business owner in need of financing, you might be wondering what your best option is. 

Should you apply for a traditional bank loan, or explore one of the many alternative lending options available? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the right choice depends on a number of factors. For example, if you have a strong credit history and are looking for a large amount of money, a bank loan may be the best option. 

However, if you have bad credit or need money quickly, an alternative lender may be a better fit. With so many options available, it’s important to do your research and choose the lender that’s right for your specific needs.

How Kickfurther can help

If you’re a startup owner, you know that one of the most important things for your business is to keep inventory stocked and available. But sometimes, it can be difficult to come up with the funds needed to purchase inventory outright. 

Kickfurther is the world’s first online inventory funding platform that enables companies to access funds that they are unable to acquire through traditional sources. For companies that sell physical products or non-perishable consumables and have revenue between $150k to $15mm over the last 12 months, Kickfurther can help. With Kickfurther you can fund millions of dollars worth of inventory at costs of up to 30% lower than the competition. It gets better though – you don’t pay until you start making sales. You’ll truly have the opportunity to create a payment schedule that works for your business. You’ll outline expected sales periods to create customized payment terms. With more than $100 million in inventory funded to date, Kickfurther can help you get funded within a day or even minutes to hours. 

Interested in getting funded on Kickfurther?  Create a free business account, complete the online application, review deals, and get funded in as little as minutes!

How to retain talent in your small business

Small businesses often find it difficult to compete with larger businesses when it comes to attracting and retaining talent. If presented properly though, small businesses sometimes have even more to offer than large companies. From flexible schedules to an unmatched company culture, small businesses can definitely compete with large companies. And in some cases they may even be able to retain talent for less money. Of course, retaining talent is not all about the benefits, but the company too. This means that employees and future employees will need to have confidence in the stability and potential of your company. One way to give them confidence is to pay them on time. In order to do this, you may need to free up cash flow by using inventory funding. Below, we will discuss how to attract and retain top talent and conclude with one of the best kept secrets for inventory funding for small businesses.

How do small businesses attract talent?

Small businesses often have a hard time attracting top talent. They may not be able to offer the same salary or benefits as larger companies, and they may be located in areas with a limited pool of qualified candidates. However, they still have plenty to offer to attract top talent. First, they can offer opportunities. Most large companies started small. Those who were there first often moved up to the top. Second, small businesses may be able to offer more flexibility such as work from home or flexible schedules. Lastly, small businesses can sell the sizzle. Oftentimes, small businesses have some of the best work cultures, which is highly sought after by employees.

By implementing these strategies, small businesses can level the playing field and compete for the best talent.

Why small business talent retention is important

Small businesses are the backbone of the American economy, and talent retention is essential to their success. When employees leave a small business, it can be devastating to the company. Not only does it mean losing someone with institutional knowledge and valuable skills, but it can also be difficult to find and train a replacement. 

High turnover can also lead to a loss of morale among remaining staff members. Finally, replacing an employee can be costly, in terms of both time and money. All of these reasons underscore why talent retention is so important for small businesses. 

By creating a positive work environment and offering competitive compensation and benefits, small businesses can encourage their employees to stay put. In doing so, they can improve their chances of long-term success.

Strategies to retaining talent within your business

Did you know that 73% of employees would leave their job if offered a better opportunity? That’s a scary statistic for any small business owner! It’s no secret that larger businesses have an advantage when it comes to attracting top talent, but there are a few things small businesses can do to make themselves more appealing. Let’s take a closer look.

Offer flexibility for your employees

If you want to keep your best employees, you need to offer them more than just a paycheck. In today’s competitive job market, workers are looking for employers who offer flexibility and a good work-life balance. That means offering flexible hours, the ability to work from home, and unlimited vacation days. By offering these kinds of perks, you’ll make your company more attractive to top talent. And when your employees are happy, they’ll be less likely to leave for a new job.

Have extra perks for your employees

Many workers today place a high value on perks and benefits, such as flexible hours, telecommuting options, on-site child care, and tuition reimbursement. By offering these types of perks, you can make your company more attractive to prospective employees and also improve morale among your existing staff.

​​In addition, you may want to consider implementing employee retention strategies, such as mentorship programs and career development opportunities. By investing in your employees’ growth, you can create a strong sense of loyalty and encourage them to stay with your company for the long term.

Promote employees

One of the most effective retention strategies is to provide opportunities for employees to grow and advance within the company. When workers feel like they are stuck in a dead-end job, they are more likely to start looking for new opportunities elsewhere. But when they have a clear path for advancement, they are more likely to stick around. 

Additionally, offering opportunities for growth shows employees that you are invested in their development, which can further motivate them to stay with the company.

Proper training

There are a number of ways to help retain talent in your small business. One is to provide proper training. Employees who feel like they are constantly learning and developing new skills are more likely to stick with a company for the long haul. 

Incentives for good performance

Another way to retain talent is to offer competitive compensation and benefits. This includes not only salaries and bonuses, but also things like health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off.

Another way to attract talent is to offer employees a stake in the company through stock options or profit sharing. This gives employees a sense of ownership and can incentivize them to work harder and smarter. 

Encourage feedback and transparency 

If you want to know how to retain talent, one way is to encourage feedback and transparency. Creating an environment where employees feel comfortable giving and receiving feedback helps to foster a sense of trust and mutual respect. It also allows you to identify and address problems early on, before they lead to employee dissatisfaction. 

Culture based on continuous learning

To understand how to retain top talent, small businesses can create a positive culture that emphasizes collaboration, creativity, and professional development. When employees feel like they are part of a team and are given the opportunity to grow, they are more likely to stick around. 

Provide learning and training options

As a small business owner, it’s important to invest in your employees and make sure they have the skills they need to be successful. One way to do this is by providing learning and training opportunities. This can include anything from formal education and training programs to on-the-job coaching and mentorship.

Commit to helping your employees reach their goals

If you want to retain talent in your small business, you need to commit to helping your employees reach their goals. Provide learning and training options so they can continue to grow and develop within the company. And be open to suggestions on how you can improve as an employer. When your employees feel valued and supported, they’re more likely to stick around.

How Kickfurther Can Help

Being able to offer employees a greater degree of flexibility can be a huge selling point for small businesses. But employees and future employees will want to make sure your business is stable. For retail and wholesale businesses, this may mean getting funding for inventory. Kickfurther is the world’s first online inventory financing platform that enables companies to access funds that they are unable to acquire through traditional sources. With Kickfurther you can fund millions of dollars worth of inventory at costs of up to 30% lower than the competition. It gets better though – you don’t pay until you start making sales. You’ll truly have the opportunity to create a payment schedule that works for your business. You’ll outline expected sales periods to create customized payment terms. With more than $100 million in inventory funded to date, Kickfurther can help you get funded within a day or even minutes to hours. If your brand sells physical products or non-perishable consumables and has revenue between $150k to $15mm over the last 12 months, you are a prime Kickfurther candidate. 

Interested in getting funded on Kickfurther?  Create a free business account, complete the online application, review deals, and get funded in as little as minutes!

How Amazon Inventory Funding Can Help Grow Your Business

This is a guest post from eComEngine.

Building an Amazon business takes a lot of work, planning, and coordination. Many small and medium-sized businesses struggle to allocate resources to prepare themselves for set expenses and to finance their growth strategies.

You may have some goals in mind to help take your Amazon business toward its next growth peak, such as:

  • Creating or expanding product lines
  • Developing more efficient marketing campaigns
  • Onboarding new fulfillment partners to meet increased demand
  • Hiring more employees to support business growth

Finding the right resources to support your business expansion can set you up to succeed, but it isn’t always easy.

Oftentimes, business owners report that the greatest obstacle to growth is a lack of access to funding. Product-driven eCommerce businesses like those on Amazon have an additional financial burden created by the delay between when they purchase inventory and when they receive revenue from its sale. This problem is only compounded as the business grows. Thankfully, Amazon inventory funding can help resolve these cash flow and capital challenges.

What is Inventory Financing?

Inventory financing provides you with another channel to obtain additional capital for inventory purchases without having to reallocate funds from other parts of your business. From production to shipping and logistics, an extra injection of cash means businesses will be able to produce more goods without compromising the quality of their products.

 

With inventory financing, businesses can purchase the inventory that they need and scale their growth to accommodate new markets and explore new channels. Because brands make no payments on newly funded inventory until they receive it and it begins selling, they don’t need to worry about pinching costs and passing on other growth investments because all of their cash is tied up in an inventory order that won’t arrive and produce revenue for weeks or even months.

How Amazon Inventory Funding Works

Amazon inventory funding works by leveraging the resources of a financing partner to pay for inventory production, which is one of the largest expenses for most product brands.

The funding can be tailored to address your Amazon business’s exact needs. For example, you can look where the manufacturing, shipping, and sales timelines, along with order quantities and more, meet to create a custom funding and payback schedule that’s perfectly aligned to your cash flow.

The products that are produced will then serve as collateral for the financing. If you’re unable to repay the funding, the inventory can be sold to cover the debt and recoup the financing partner’s costs.

Inventory financing is particularly valuable for businesses that face significant delays between the time that they paid for inventory and when they actually receive payment. Other businesses that will benefit include those looking to place larger orders and receive volume-based discounts or that have multiple distribution locations. Inventory financing is ideally performed on a quarterly basis or another regular cadence to avoid the stock-out issues that can stall business growth and create additional costs.

Inventory Financing with Kickfurther

Kickfurther is an online inventory funding marketplace where brands access funding for new inventory (or can get reimbursed for recently produced goods). Kickfurther has served a number of Amazon sellers who were growing their sales, adding other distribution channels, or were otherwise looking for growth capital.

Why consider a private marketplace like Kickfurther? Markets respond, but bank interest rates don’t. Our marketplace brings together a number of funding sources that respond to your success and often engage at lower costs each time you build your track record of success in receiving and paying back funding.

Kickfurther funding goes directly to your manufacturer at the time you place an inventory order, and you make no payments until you receive and begin selling the new inventory. Other funding options take daily debits from your account before you receive revenue from new inventory, and traditional loans may have repayment schedules that begin immediately.

Kickfurther is different. On Kickfurther, you create a custom payment timeline based on when you’ll receive revenue, allowing you to order the inventory you need without impeding your ability to maintain financial flexibility while you wait for it to arrive and begin selling. Kickfurther thinks you should begin making payments on inventory after you receive revenue from its sale, not before.

What are the Benefits of Working with Kickfurther?

Working with Kickfurther means:

  • Up to 30% lower costs compared to competitors
  • Higher funding opportunities up to $5M
  • Getting funded quickly, often within days
  • Custom payment terms, with no payments until you start making sales

Interested in learning more about using Amazon inventory funding for your business? Create a business account today at Kickfurther.com to see a funding offer tailored to your business.

5 Marketing Growth Strategies for Startups

There are a lot of different startup growth marketing strategies that can take your company to the top. However, not all of them will work for every business. In order to find the right strategies for your startup, you’ll need to do some strategic thinking and have a clear vision of where you want to go. You’ll also need to leave any fear at home as it may take some trial and error to bring your vision to life. 

Here are five marketing growth strategies that can help your startup grow and succeed.

What is growth marketing?

Growth marketing is a methodology used to accelerate growth for startups and businesses. It’s a data-driven approach that focuses on acquisition, engagement, and retention. The aim is to identify and focus on key areas that will have the biggest impact on growth. 

There are four main pillars of growth marketing: acquisition, engagement, retention, and virality. Acquisition refers to acquiring new users or customers. Engagement is about keeping those users or customers engaged with your product or service. Retention is about ensuring those users or customers continue to use your product or service over time. Virality is about getting users or customers to spread the word about your product or service. 

Startup growth marketing can be applied to any stage of the customer life cycle. However, it’s most commonly used during the early stages when acquisition is the main focus. It can be difficult to acquire new users or customers if they are not aware of your product or service. As a result, companies must work hard at attracting and retaining customers during growth stages.

If you’re looking to accelerate growth for your startup or business, then growth marketing may be the right approach for you. It is a data-driven methodology that can help you identify and focus on key areas that will have the biggest impact on growth.

Do startups need to have a growth marketing strategy?

In today’s business landscape, it’s widely accepted that startups need to have a growth marketing strategy in place if they want to be successful. After all, without a plan for how to acquire and retain customers, it’s very difficult to scale a business. 

However, there are a few key things to keep in mind when developing a growth marketing strategy for a startup. 

First, it’s important to have a clear understanding of the target market. Who are the ideal customers for the product or service? Once this is understood, it’s much easier to develop targeted marketing campaigns that will resonate with this audience. 

Additionally, it’s important to set realistic goals for growth. Trying to grow too quickly can often lead to disaster, so it’s important to set achievable milestones that can be reached incrementally. 

Finally, it’s essential to track metrics carefully and continually optimize the strategy based on what is working (and what isn’t). By following these guidelines, startups can create a solid foundation for sustainable growth.

5 Marketing Growth Strategies for Startups

There are a number of marketing growth strategies that startups can use to expand their businesses.

Expand your business location presence

One strategy is to expand your business location presence. This can be done by opening new locations or by expanding your current location. 

Diversify your services and products

Another strategy is to diversify your services and products. This allows you to appeal to a wider range of customers and to better meet the needs of your existing customer base. 

Know your competition

A third strategy is to know your competition. This involves understanding who they are and what they offer, as well as keeping an eye on their marketing efforts.

Tracking and monitoring your results

Tracking and monitoring your results is essential in order to identify areas where you need improvement.

Marketing your business online

Marketing your business online is a great way to reach a larger audience and to generate more leads. Make use of social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. These sites offer great opportunities for connecting with potential customers and promoting your business. 

Use search engine optimization (SEO) techniques to ensure that your website appears as high as possible in search engine results pages (SERPs). This will help more people find your site when they are searching for information related to your business.

Open up your business to franchise opportunity

Franchising can be a great growth strategy for startups. It allows you to expand your brand quickly and efficiently while also mitigating some of the risks associated with opening new locations. When done correctly, franchising can be a win-win for both the parent company and the franchisees. However, it’s important to do your homework before taking the plunge. 

Make sure you have a strong brand that is recognized and valued by consumers. You’ll also need to have solid systems and processes in place to ensure that each franchise location is up to your standards. If you’re prepared to put in the work, franchising can be an excellent way to fuel growth for your startup.

Tips for developing a growth strategy for startups

Any business, whether a startup or an established company, needs a growth strategy. Without one, it is difficult to expand and meet changing customer demands. Developing a growth strategy requires careful planning and execution, but the rewards can be significant. 

Know your value proposition

The first step is to clearly define your value proposition. What do you offer that is unique and appealing to potential customers? This could be a new product or service, or a different way of doing things. Once you know your value proposition, you can begin to develop marketing and sales strategies to reach your target market. 

Ensure you have enough inventory to allow growth 

It is also important to have enough inventory on hand to accommodate growth. If you are constantly running out of stock, it will be difficult to meet customer demand. Forecasting future demand can be tricky, but it is essential to have enough inventory on hand to keep up with growth. 

Understanding Your Target Market.

It’s important to have a clear understanding of your target market. What are their needs and how can your product or service meet those needs?

Building a Startup Team

You absolutely need to build a strong startup team. This team should be composed of individuals with complementary skill sets who are passionate about your product or service.

Analyzing the Competition.

You also need to understand your competition. Who are they and what are they doing? What are their strengths and weaknesses? By understanding the competition, you can develop strategies to position yourself in the market and attract customers. 

Conclusion

If you want to be successful as a startup, you need to have a clear plan for how you’re going to execute your growth strategy. You’ll also need access to the necessary resources – such as money. Startups that need working capital may struggle to qualify or struggle to afford the cost of borrowing money. In 2014, Kickfurther was founded by entrepreneur Sean De Clercq who faced the problem of affordable working capital for inventory. As a determined entrepreneur he committed to creating a solution for affordable working capital for startups and Kickfurther was born. 

Kickfurther is the world’s first online inventory funding platform that enables companies to access funds that they are unable to acquire through traditional sources. For companies that sell physical products or non-perishable consumables and have revenue between $150k to $15mm over the last 12 months, Kickfurther can help. We connect brands to a community of backers who help fund inventory on consignment and give brands flexibility to pay that back as they receive cash from sales. 

Kickfurther can help startups fund millions of dollars of inventory at costs up to 30% cheaper than the competition. With more than $100 million in inventory funded to date, Kickfurther can help you get funded within a day or even minutes to hours. 

Interested in getting funded on Kickfurther?  Create a free business account, complete the online application, review deals, and get funded in as little as minutes!

What channels will you use to reach your target market? How will you monitor and measure success? By keeping these things in mind, you’ll be well on your way to developing a successful growth strategy for your startup.

10 Effective Ways to Fund your Ecommerce Business

eCommerce businesses are booming, but despite trends they may still struggle to obtain financing. From obstacles such as length in business to no physical office location, there are many reasons why eCommerce funding can be hard to secure. On top of that, if you do qualify it can be more costly than beneficial. So, the key is not only to find eCommerce funding you qualify for but that’s affordable too.

How funding helps ecommerce business

Having access to funding in the form of financing, venture capital, or even crowdfunding can mean the difference between getting your business off the ground and closing up shop. While eCommerce businesses don’t have to pay for the expense of a physical storefront, they still have their fair share of operating costs.

eCommerce businesses can use funding for a variety of business expenses including staffing, marketing, web hosting, equipment purchases, and inventory costs.

Financing can help you keep your inventory well-stocked even when funds are low, expand into new product lines, and purchase the equipment needed to manufacture even more products.

There are a variety of ways to fund an e-commerce business, which we’ll cover in more detail.

What are the best ways to fund an eCommerce business?

The best way to fund your eCommerce business will ultimately come down to your individual situation. As a business owner, understanding the options available can help you make educated business decisions. Let’s take a look at some of the best ways to fund eCommerce businesses.

  • Crowdfunding: Crowdfunding uses small amounts of capital from numerous sources to raise money for business expenses. Crowdfunding can be difficult to obtain but often does not need to be paid back, making it a common solution for startup business costs. Being featured on a crowdfunding platform also offers increased exposure to new businesses.
  • Grants: Small business grants are available from various sources including government agencies, state organizations and private corporations. The major advantage of business grants is that they do not need to be paid back. However, not all businesses are eligible, and they can be difficult to obtain, often requiring a great deal of paperwork.
  • Inventory Financing: Inventory financing is a specialized form of funding that can only be used for one purpose. Inventory financing is most often set up as a short-term loan or a revolving line of credit that allows a company to purchase products for resale. Both types of funding are secured by the value of your inventory as collateral. Since it’s a secured form of financing, it can be easier to obtain than many other options.
  • Equity Financing: Equity financing allows companies to raise capital through the sale of shares. It can be used for both short-term and long-term needs required for business growth. With equity financing, there is no loan balance to repay, but you must share a portion of your profits with investors. The thought of having to share ownership and control of the company makes equity financing an unattractive option for many business owners.
  • Friends and family: Whether you are just getting started or hoping to expand your business with new opportunities, sometimes asking friends and family to invest in your company can pay off. This option is best for minimal expenses that have a proven value to your business such as your initial equipment purchases or first inventory order.
  • Personal savings: One of the best ways to fund any business is to pay for all of the costs up front in cash. Although not many people are able to utilize this option, using your own personal savings is the most affordable way to grow your business without the need to pay back a loan balance or shell out extra money for interest.
  • Business credit cards: Business credit cards have an average credit limit of just over $56,000, making them a viable option for many expenses. Having access to a revolving line of credit is a very convenient and common way to finance recurring costs such as inventory needs or to pay for a large upfront purchase such as new equipment. Look for a card that has a low introductory interest rate offer with rates as low as 0% APR.
  • PO Financing: Purchase order financing functions as a cash advance for business owners to be able to fulfill customer orders. It’s different from a loan in that your suppliers are paid directly from your lender for the goods that you are reselling. Business owners do not have to worry about a monthly repayment since all fees are taken out upfront. While purchase order financing is very easy and convenient, the disadvantages include high fees and increased risk if your customer doesn’t pay.
  • Revolving line of credit: A line of credit works much the same way as a credit card, allowing applicants to borrow up to a certain amount. All credit cards are tied to a line of credit, but not all lines of credit are credit cards. Interest rates are typically lower on a line of credit than on a credit card and may offer higher credit limits to borrowers.
  • Business loans: One of the most common ways to finance eligible business expenses is to take out a business loan. Business loans offer some of the best possible deals on financing, with loan amounts reaching upwards of $500,000 and competitive interest rates. However, they can be difficult to qualify for, and can take many years to pay back.

For many forms of financing, you will need to provide the lender with documentation about your business and its solvency, including a business plan and financial statements. You may also need to demonstrate a minimum annual income from your business or meet a minimum personal credit score. In addition, the underwriting process can take several days or even weeks to reach a final loan decision. By turning to alternative forms of eCommerce funding you may be able to secure working capital faster and at a reduced cost. So where can you find alternative forms of eCommerce funding? At Kickfurther you can access working capital up to 30% cheaper than other options. Kickfurther is the world’s first online inventory funding platform that enables companies to access funds that they are unable to acquire through traditional sources.

How Kickfurther can help grow your business?

With Kickfurther you can fund millions of dollars worth of inventory at costs of up to 30% lower than the competition. It gets better though – you don’t pay until you start making sales. You’ll truly have the opportunity to create a payment schedule that works for your business. You’ll outline expected sales periods to create customized payment terms. With more than $100 million in inventory funded to date, Kickfurther can help you get funded within a day or even minutes to hours. 

Interested in getting funded on Kickfurther?  Create a free business account, complete the online application, review deals, and get funded in as little as minutes!