Page 5 – Kickfurther

How Baseball Lifestyle Grew 190% in 6 months using Kickfurther

Posted on October 30, 2024 by Kaylyn Perry

Inventory management is often one of the most significant challenges for CPG brands looking to scale. Brands constantly face the dilemma of needing more capital to fulfill increasing demand, expand their product lines, and invest in new products and marketing. For Baseball Lifestyle 101, a dynamic brand that connects baseball lovers around the world with trendy apparel and accessories, these challenges were no different. However, with the help of Kickfurther, a unique inventory financing platform, Baseball Lifestyle overcame many of these obstacles, fueling rapid growth and ensuring sustainable scalability.

Baseball Lifestyle 101: A Brief Overview

Baseball Lifestyle 101, founded by Josh Shapiro, is more than just a brand—it’s a community. Dedicated to connecting baseball enthusiasts worldwide, the company offers a range of products that allow fans to represent their love for the sport off the field. From apparel to accessories, Baseball Lifestyle has made a name for itself as a go-to destination for baseball lovers seeking high-quality, stylish, and authentic gear.

As the brand grew, so did its challenges. Increased customer demand and imperfect inventory levels threatened to stall Baseball Lifestyle’s momentum. To continue growing and expanding its product lines, the company needed a solution to its cash flow problems, particularly the financial burden of funding inventory ahead of sales. This is where Kickfurther stepped in, offering a tailor-made solution to help Baseball Lifestyle meet its growth opportunities.

The Challenges of Inventory Financing

Inventory management is one of the most complex challenges for consumer product brands, especially those that are scaling rapidly. For Baseball Lifestyle, the company faced several hurdles, including:

Capital Allocation: With limited cash flow, Baseball Lifestyle had to make difficult decisions on how to allocate its available capital. Should it go toward expanding the product line, acquiring new warehouse space, or investing in marketing efforts to drive more sales?
Imperfect Inventory Levels: Balancing customer demand with available inventory is a tough challenge for many brands. Stockouts lead to missed sales opportunities, while overstocking can tie up valuable capital in unsold goods.
Meeting Growing Customer Demand: As the brand gained popularity, Baseball Lifestyle saw a significant increase in customer demand. However, without the necessary capital to invest in inventory upfront, meeting that demand became a struggle.
Ordering Delays: The lead time between manufacturing products and generating revenue from those products can be long, especially for small to mid-sized businesses. These delays often create a cash flow gap that can stunt growth.
Cash-Constrained Growth: As with many growing businesses, Baseball Lifestyle’s growth was constrained by its access to capital. The company needed a financing solution that would allow it to grow without taking on burdensome debt or giving up equity.

The Kickfurther Solution: Flexible and Scalable

Kickfurther provides a unique solution to the inventory financing problem faced by many consumer brands. Instead of relying on traditional loans or giving up equity, brands can partner with Kickfurther to fund their inventory in a flexible and scalable way. Here’s how it worked for Baseball Lifestyle:

No Immediate Repayment: Unlike traditional loans, Baseball Lifestyle didn’t have to start repaying Kickfurther until sales for the specific inventory began. This was a game-changer, as it allowed the company to use its revenue from sales to fund inventory repayment, reducing the strain on cash flow.
Non-Dilutive: Baseball Lifestyle didn’t have to give up any equity in exchange for Kickfurther’s funding. This was a crucial benefit for founder Josh Shapiro, who wanted to maintain control over his company’s growth while still securing the necessary funding to fuel that growth.
Not a Debt: One of the most significant advantages of Kickfurther is that it isn’t considered a loan. Therefore, it didn’t add any debt to Baseball Lifestyle’s balance sheet, which can sometimes limit a company’s ability to access additional capital. Instead, the funding from Kickfurther is tied directly to the company’s sales, allowing for more flexibility.

The Results: Baseball Lifestyle’s Growth with Kickfurther

With the help of Kickfurther, Baseball Lifestyle was able to overcome the challenges it faced and achieve impressive growth in a relatively short period of time. Over the course of eight funding deals worth over $700,000, the company saw a remarkable 190% growth in just six months. This explosive growth can be attributed to several key factors:

Increased Inventory: With the capital provided by Kickfurther, Baseball Lifestyle was able to invest in more inventory upfront. This not only helped the company meet growing customer demand but also allowed it to take advantage of volume order discounts, thereby reducing its cost of goods sold and improving overall profitability.
Product Expansion: The influx of capital enabled Baseball Lifestyle to expand its product offerings. By introducing new products, the company was able to attract a broader customer base and increase sales.
New Warehouse Space: As the brand grew, so did its need for additional space to store inventory and accommodate new staff. Thanks to the funding from Kickfurther, Baseball Lifestyle was able to acquire new warehouse space, further streamlining its operations and setting the stage for continued growth.
Improved Cash Flow Management: With flexible repayment terms, Baseball Lifestyle was able to maintain a healthy cash flow, even as it expanded its operations. The company could focus on growing its business rather than worrying about the immediate financial burden of repaying a loan or giving up equity to investors.

Why Kickfurther Was the Perfect Fit

For consumer product brands like Baseball Lifestyle, traditional financing options often come with limitations. Loans add debt to the balance sheet, making it harder to access additional capital down the line, while equity financing requires giving up control of the company. Kickfurther, on the other hand, offers a unique solution that fits perfectly with the needs of growing brands:

Flexible Payment Terms: Companies like Baseball Lifestyle can control the terms of repayment, only paying back as sales occur.
Scalable Solutions: Kickfurther’s model is scalable, meaning that as Baseball Lifestyle continues to grow, it can continue to access more capital to fund even larger inventory orders.
No Debt, No Dilution: Kickfurther’s model ensures that brands can grow without adding debt or giving up ownership of their company.

Conclusion: A Partnership for Success

Kickfurther’s partnership with Baseball Lifestyle has proven to be a powerful driver of growth. By offering a flexible, scalable, and non-dilutive inventory financing solution, Kickfurther allowed Baseball Lifestyle to overcome its cash flow challenges, meet growing demand, and ultimately achieve 190% growth in just six months. As more brands look for innovative ways to finance their inventory, Kickfurther stands out as a valuable partner for those looking to scale without the burden of traditional financing options. Baseball Lifestyle’s success story is a testament to the transformative power of the right financing solution at the right time.

How Crunch Cup Fulfilled Large-Scale Orders from Target, Kroger and Walmart using Kickfurther Funding

Posted on October 30, 2024 by Kaylyn Perry

In today’s fast-paced consumer products market, managing inventory, fulfilling large purchase orders, and sustaining growth can be daunting for scaling CPG brands. Crunch Cup, a brand known for its innovative solution that allows cereal lovers to enjoy their favorite breakfast on the go, faced these exact challenges. However, with the help of Kickfurther, Crunch Cup was able to overcome financial constraints and unlock new growth opportunities.

About Crunch Cup

Crunch Cup was founded by Kevin Meyer and his team at Crunch Tech Inc. Their dual-chambered, reusable tumbler made from durable, BPA-free Tritan material was a game-changer for cereal enthusiasts. With Crunch Cup, customers could enjoy cereal and milk separately without sogginess, whether at home, in the car, or on the go. The product quickly gained popularity, attracting significant interest from retailers, which created the challenge of fulfilling large-scale orders.

The Growth Challenge

As Crunch Cup’s popularity surged, so did the demand for its product. They received substantial orders from major retailers like Walmart, Target, and Kroger, which represented a huge growth opportunity. However, these orders also presented a significant challenge: managing inventory and cash flow. Fulfilling large purchase orders required substantial upfront capital to produce and ship the necessary inventory, but like many young companies, Crunch Cup faced constraints.

Traditional financing options often come with rigid terms, unfavorable repayment schedules, and high-interest rates, which can deter growth for a CPG brand. Crunch Cup found itself in a position where it could either take on burdensome debt or miss out on key growth opportunities. They needed a flexible financing solution that would allow them to scale without sacrificing their financial health.

Meet Kickfurther

Kickfurther offers a unique alternative to traditional financing by enabling CPG brands to fund their inventory needs without taking on debt or giving up equity. Kickfurther funds up to 100% of your inventory costs on flexible payment terms that you customize and control.

Crunch Cup took advantage of our innovative model and funded $750k in inventory with Kickfurther, ensuring they had the necessary resources to fulfill orders without dipping into their own cash reserves or taking on additional financial risks.

Overcoming Cash Flow Constraints

One of the most significant benefits of Kickfurther’s funding model is that it allows companies to avoid the cash flow strain that often accompanies large-scale production. For Crunch Cup, this meant that the company didn’t have to make any repayments until the products started selling, allowing them to focus on production and fulfilling orders without worrying about immediate cash outlays.

This cash flow flexibility gave Crunch Cup the breathing room to focus on other critical areas of the business, such as product development, marketing, and expanding into new retail channels.

Navigating the Path to Success

With the help of Kickfurther, Crunch Cup was able to streamline its inventory management, ensuring that it could meet the demands of its growing customer base without running into stockouts. This was especially important as the company expanded into new retail markets and took on larger purchase orders from major players like Walmart, Target, and Kroger.

By securing flexible funding, Crunch Cup not only kept pace with growing demand but also negotiated better terms with suppliers, giving them more control over their production and supply chain. Kickfurther’s model gave the company the financial flexibility to capitalize on market opportunities without overextending their resources.

Avoiding Stockouts and Capitalizing on Market Demand

One of the critical issues that CPG brands often face during periods of rapid growth is stockouts—when demand outpaces supply and products go out of stock. These gaps can have devastating effects on a brand’s reputation, and it’s something Crunch Cup was determined to avoid. With the funding from Kickfurther, Crunch Cup was able to keep up with market demand and avoid stockouts that could damage its brand.

By leveraging this inventory financing model, Crunch Cup could focus on scaling its business with confidence, knowing that it had the financial resources to meet customer demand and fulfill orders in a timely manner.

Conclusion

By using Kickfurther’s funding, Crunch Cup has been able to grow without the traditional financial constraints that often hinder CPG brands. By leveraging flexible, non-dilutive funding, Crunch Cup has successfully expanded its reach into major retailers, avoided stockouts, and negotiated better terms with suppliers. As more brands look for alternatives to traditional financing, Crunch Cup’s story serves as an example of how innovative funding models like Kickfurther can help CPG brands achieve sustainable growth.

10 Years and $300M Later…Celebrating a Decade in CPG Inventory Funding at Kickfurther!

Posted on October 16, 2024October 21, 2024 by Kaylyn Perry

No one ever said launching a new company, particularly one with an untested business model, would be easy. And it hasn’t been! But with a lot of support, a great team of colleagues, great supporters, and a little luck, Kickfurther has evolved from an idea to a firmly established funding provider in the Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) industry.

Kickfurther was formed ten years ago because of a cash-flow problem facing my own CPG merchandising company. After Dodd-Frank, legislation ostensibly designed to prevent “too big to fail” moments in the finance industry, we saw the largest consolidation in the finance industry in history. Originations from small and medium banks tanked and they were absorbed by the biggest banks getting even bigger.

This created an absolute dearth of finance for small and medium businesses, the kinds of clients that small community banks were well designed to serve, but weren’t worth the time to underwrite for the growing megabanks. They weren’t interested in making loans to a business my size, and factoring services wanted to eat too much into our margin. I was able to take out a personal loan, but that wasn’t a long-term solution and I didn’t want to do an equity raise just to fund inventory runs.

This was during a zero interest rate policy environment and it seemed like a massive disconnect in the market that my money was earning 0% sitting in a bank account but my profitable growing business was being charged north of 50% for inventory funding. I saw an opportunity to provide a great funding solution to product entrepreneurs while also creating access for anyone interested in earning profit in the world of product goods through a digital-first inventory consignment marketplace.

Ten Years Later

Ten years in, Kickfurther is still the world’s first and only inventory funding consignment marketplace. We have funded more than $300 million in inventory across over 2,300 consignments. One of our early learnings is that if our marketplace was going to be successful, we needed to create a process to review and qualify CPG companies.

That process developed over the years from an initial checklist, to a scorecard heuristic, to what we have today, the Kickfurther Metrics Model (KMM), a machine learning tool that has greatly improved our ability to review and qualify businesses. We’re proud of the KMM, as it has become the core of our qualification process, and continually increases in both its efficiency and predictive power.

Moving forward

It took ten years, but Kickfurther is now deeply rooted and the future looks bright. More than $160 of the $300 million funded occurred in the last two years and we’re on track to fund over $100M in inventory in 2024 alone. We are the only organization offering inventory on consignment to the market segment we operate in, the best cash flow alternative to the merchant cash advance solutions that plague our market.

At the same time, we’re continuously improving the KMM to attempt to ensure positive outcomes for our users and client businesses.

We believe we are currently in a position to sustainably build toward our vision. That vision is informed by our history that’s steeped in supply chain management. I’ve seen how much wealth has been created in trade over the years and we believe that trade has historically been one of the greatest wealth-creation engines in history. Inventory is the physical asset that underpins trade, and the trade of physical goods only continues to grow.

Our vision is to use the best technology to build the world’s first and best digital exchange where users and businesses form a partnership through the medium of inventory and both profit as a result. Our success creates unprecedented direct access to one of the most liquid, high-turn and vast classes of assets: physical goods inventory.

So, congratulations Kickfurther on its ten-year anniversary! Looking back, it’s amazing what we’ve accomplished, and reflecting on everything it took to get here. Looking forward, our plan is to fundamentally change the way the world thinks about inventory

Shopify Capital Eligibility Review: What You Need to Know

Posted on July 17, 2024 by Kaylyn Perry

Access to capital and funding is essential for eCommerce businesses to succeed. Shopify Capital is a business funding program that provides financing to pre-qualified sellers to help them cover inventory costs, marketing expenses, hiring needs, and other growth initiatives.

Borrowers receive a lump sum and agree to a fixed borrowing fee offered by Shopify Capital. With a Shopify term loan, you can get up to $2,000,000, depending on your business’s eligibility, and manage repayments directly through an online dashboard.

While Shopify Capital loans offer you the flexibility to run your business and get financing from one place, you should fully understand the Shopify Capital eligibility review process before considering this option.

Breaking Down Shopify’s Eligibility Criteria

For merchants seeking inventory funding, the Shopify Capital eligibility review considers these factors:

You must have an active online store hosted on the Shopify platform for at least 90 days.
You need a consistent track record of revenue demonstrating your business’s stability and growth potential.
Shopify Capital favors stores with at least a few months of sales history. Higher sales volumes further increase your chances of approval.
Shopify Capital looks out for red flags in your finances, such as excessive chargebacks, legal issues, or sudden drops in sales.
You must be able to repay the funding.
You need a proven track record that positions your business as stable and unlikely to fail. (Newer stores may struggle to meet this requirement.)
Offering a variety of products shows adaptability and enhances your eligibility.

Unfortunately, Shopify doesn’t share specific eligibility guidelines for what they consider stable businesses, so if your business is ineligible for funding, you may not know how to improve your chances.

Sellers who do pass the Shopify Capital review have the following main options for funding:

Short-Term Business Loans

Shopify provides a lump sum payment that must be repaid in full plus a flat borrowing cost. Payments are broken up into installments, and the typical repayment period is 12 months.

Merchant Cash Advances (MCA)

Shopify essentially purchases a share of future sales. As the borrower, you receive a lump sum from Shopify Capital that you’ll repay via deductions from your daily revenue until the loan plus costs are repaid. On days without sales, MCA loans often will not be deducted from your account.

Shopify Capital’s funding options vary according to your business location. Shopify term loans are only available to businesses in Australia and the United States, while merchant cash advances are available to businesses based in the US, Canada, and the UK.

Understanding Shopify Capital’s Review Process

The Shopify loan underwriting process consists of the following two stages:

Pre-Qualification

During pre-qualification, Shopify determines if your business is eligible to apply for financing. This is based on your sales history, engagement with the Shopify platform, and other criteria as outlined above. If you are eligible for funding, you will either receive a message on the homepage of your Shopify admin or be contacted by a Shopify sales representative. If you aren’t contacted by Shopify, that means your store doesn’t meet the requirements.

As part of the loan application process, you’ll need to submit financial documents with your application. You may be wondering, “Does Shopify Capital report to credit bureaus?” No, Shopify Capital does not report to credit bureaus or require a personal credit check.

Application Review

During the Shopify Capital eligibility review process, Shopify’s lending team will assess your application and financial information and confirm whether you are approved for term loans. Your application is reviewed within 1-3 business days, but it can take longer in certain cases. If your request is approved, your loan amount is transferred to your business bank account, typically within a few business days.

According to Shopify, its underwriting model analyzes many data points to calculate eligibility and what loans it will offer you. As a pre-qualified seller, you’ll typically receive three funding offers and can choose to move forward with the one that best fits your needs. However, it’s important to know these offers are non-negotiable.

When it comes to your Shopify Capital interest rate, Shopify’s process doesn’t align with traditional market rates. Rather, Shopify uses a factor rate, which is a fixed fee. Under your Shopify Capital loan or merchant cash advance purchase agreement, you’ll agree on a total payment amount: your loan amount plus the fixed borrowing fee. Loan repayments are automatically pulled from your daily sales, so you’ll repay the loan more quickly if your sales increase. If, however, you have days with no sales, you won’t make a payment on those days.

You can view and manage your daily sales revenue, balance, and payment history from your Shopify account.

Is Shopify Financing the Best Choice for Your Business?

Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of Shopify Capital loans to help you determine whether this financing option works for your business.

Pros

No personal credit check required

Funding is delivered quickly

Substantial loan amounts
Use funding on anything business-related

Cons

Application process by invitation only

Lack of transparency about eligibility criteria
Loan amounts are non-negotiable
High interest rates

Shopify Capital is helpful for your business if you have been in operation for some time and need quick funding to expand. However, Shopify Capital loans and cash advances are only available by invitation. For newer businesses, this exclusivity is a substantial barrier.

Can’t Get Shopify Capital? Consider This Alternative

If your business doesn’t meet Shopify Capital eligibility requirements, you’re not out of options—Kickfurther is here to help.

Kickfurther is a trusted alternative funding platform for business owners seeking inventory financing. Unlike traditional lenders, Kickfurther’s funding is not a loan, so costs are structured to support your business needs.

To provide funding, Kickfurther connects your business with a community of eager backers who fund your inventory on consignment. Traditional lenders don’t serve the unique needs of merchants; Kickfurther solves this problem by funding up to 100% of your inventory costs at flexible payment terms that you control.

Other funding providers may debit your account without concern for your sales cycle, but with Kickfurther, you control your repayment schedule. Kickfurther’s funding won’t affect your access to other capital or lower your store’s valuation.

You’ll get quick access to funds for your entire order(s) each time you need more inventory, so you can put your capital to work growing your business without adding debt or giving up equity.

Skyrocket Your Shopify Sales with Kickfurther

Kickfurther brings considerable expertise to the inventory funding process, bridging the gap between production costs and sales revenue. It’s the perfect alternative to Shopify Capital as it offers businesses flexible and affordable funding with fewer hurdles.

By funding your largest expense—your inventory—with Kickfurther, you’ll free up capital for other things, such as product development, advertising, and expansion.

Let Kickfurther be your trusted funding partner and get funding for up to 100% of your inventory at competitive rates. Contact a Kickfurther expert today to take your Shopify business to the next level.

Selling on Amazon vs. eBay: Which Marketplace Is Better in 2025?

Posted on July 16, 2024August 13, 2025 by Kaylyn Perry

Venturing into eCommerce is a fantastic way for small business owners to simplify the selling process. Instead of setting up a physical shop or regularly attending pop-up events, a digital presence enables sellers to reach a wider audience. With the vast potential of online sales, the question isn’t whether to sell online—but where to sell online.

Let us help you decide which is the better marketplace for your products. Explore the primary differences between Amazon and eBay, their business models, processes, seller-centric services, and other important factors.

Selling on Amazon vs. eBay: 6 Key Differences You Need to Know

Amazon and eBay are two of the leading eCommerce marketplaces in 2025. What exactly sets them apart from the rest—and each other? Here are some key differences between these two eCommerce giants to help you decide which platform best fits your selling needs.

1. Business Model

Amazon operates on a fixed-price listing model, offering a streamlined buying experience for customers. eBay, on the other hand, provides options between fixed-price and auction-style listings. In auctions, buyers compete with each other by placing bids, with the highest bidder winning the item.

2. Customer Base

Amazon boasts a significantly larger user base compared to eBay.As of 2024, Amazon has over 350 million users, while eBay has 140 million. This means sellers on Amazon have greater exposure and potential sales volume.

So you may be wondering, “Is selling on eBay worth it?” While this may pose a disadvantage for sellers looking to reach a broad audience, eBay actually has a very loyal and engaged user base, particularly for niche product categories like collectibles, handmade crafts, and vintage items.

3. Fulfillment Methods

Sellers on Amazon have two options when fulfilling orders. First, they can utilize Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA), where the platform handles storage, picking, packing, shipping, and customer service for the sellers at an additional cost. Another option Amazon sellers have is Fulfillment by Merchant (FBM), where they manage the entire fulfillment process themselves.

With eBay, sellers typically fulfill orders themselves or use third-party services. eBay does offer a fulfillment service called eBay Managed Delivery in some regions, but it is not as widely utilized or integrated as Amazon’s FBA.

4. Seller Fees

Is it cheaper to sell on Amazon or eBay? To give you an idea, let’s look into the standard seller fees for each platform.

For Amazon sellers, these fees are divided into two basic types: selling plan fees and referral fees.

Sellers have two selling plans they can consider: Individual at $0.99 per item sold or Professional with a monthly rate of $39.99.
Referral fee percentages vary depending on the product category, with a constant minimum amount of $0.30.

On top of this, sellers need to settle other fees like closing fees, high-volume listing fees, and additional costs for services like Amazon Ads. So, is it worth selling on Amazon? Learn more about other costs of setting up an Amazon shop and decide for yourself.

As for eBay sellers, there are two main types of fees on the platform:

An insertion fee is when a user creates a listing after using up a monthly allowance of 250 fee-free listings.
Sellers are also charged a final value fee when their item sells, which is calculated by adding a percentage of the total amount of the sale and a per-order fee. Orders priced $10.00 or less have a per-order fee of $0.30, while orders over $10.00 are at $0.40. Percentages depend on the product category of the sold items.

5. Seller Support

Amazon provides a hands-on customer support system via Amazon Seller Central with access to 24/7 representatives. Meanwhile, eBay is more focused on self-service solutions with community forums and tutorials.

6. Inventory Funding Options

Both Amazon and eBay allow businesses to borrow funds based on the value of their inventory.

eBay Seller Capital

eBay Seller Capital, provided by Funding Circle, offers eBay sellers term loans of $25,000 to $500,000 with fixed interest rates starting at 5.99% and repayment terms of up to 84 months. While this option offers fast approval and funding, with no hidden fees or early payback fees, there’s a minimum $50,000 annual sales requirement and fixed monthly payments.

Inventory Financing

Inventory financing is another funding option for those selling on Amazon or eBay. Specifically tailored for e-commerce sellers, inventory financing allows sellers to borrow up to 80% of the value of their inventory. This financing option can provide essential capital to keep up with demand and expand inventory, driving sales and growth for online sellers.

Amazon sellers can take advantage of inventory financing to manage the costs associated with storing, packaging, and shipping products. Similarly, eBay sellers can leverage inventory financing to invest in new products, expand their offerings, and attract a wider customer base.

But if you want to access higher amounts of capital on more flexible terms, consider Kickfurther. It’s the ideal solution for Amazon and eBay sellers looking to maintain inventory levels and scale their businesses without the burden of additional debt or equity dilution.

Selling on Amazon vs. eBay: Which Should You Choose?

Ultimately, the best platform depends on the needs and priorities of your business. If you want to reach a large audience and benefit from fulfillment services like FBA that allow you to focus on your products, Amazon is the better option. Keep in mind, however, that the platform requires higher fees and is limited to a fixed-price listing model.

If you prefer more flexibility in pricing or cater to specific niches like handcrafted or vintage items, eBay might be a better fit for you, so long as you are agreeable with managing fulfillment yourself and accessing a smaller customer base.

Whichever platform you choose, be sure to maximize its potential with Kickfurther as your inventory financing partner—because every great venture needs a steadfast ally.

Go Further with Kickfurther

With Kickfurther, you can enjoy a flexible and seller-friendly solution to fund your inventory. Here’s how we can empower your online business:

Flexible payments: Kickfurther doesn’t lock you into rigid repayment schedules. Instead, you make payments based on your actual sales, allowing your cash flow to breathe.
Non-dilutive: We also don’t take equity in exchange for funding, so you maintain complete ownership of your business.
No debt: Kickfurther isn’t a loan, so you avoid the burden of debt and its impact on your credit score.
Quick access: Get the capital you need when your supplier payments are due. Kickfurther can also provide additional funding each time you need more inventory.

Don’t let your own inventory stifle your business growth. Free up your cash flow for other crucial business areas like product development and marketing by letting Kickfurther finance your entire order upfront.

Remain in full control of your business. Contact a Kickfurther expert today to find out how it works.

How Does Google Advertising Work?

Posted on July 15, 2024February 1, 2025 by kfadminuser

Google Advertising, also known as Google Ads, is an online advertising platform that allows businesses to place ads on Google’s search engine results pages, as well as on other websites and platforms that are part of the Google Ad network. Google Ads uses a pay-per-click (PPC) model, meaning that advertisers only pay when someone clicks on their ads. By using Google Ads, businesses can drive targeted traffic to their website and increase sales. However, running a successful Google Ads campaign requires careful planning, monitoring, and optimization. This can be time-consuming, costly, and challenging for small business owners who are already juggling multiple responsibilities.

To free up cash flow and prepare for an increase in sales, you may need to utilize inventory financing. As you may already know, inventory financing can be expensive and hard to qualify for, but it doesn’t have to be. Kickfurther is a small business committed to helping other small businesses and entrepreneurs by maintaining a platform that allows businesses to fund inventory on consignment. Because you should stay in control of the business you’ve dedicated your life to build, inventory funding through Kickfurther is debt-free and allows you to maintain full ownership. The list of reasons why you should use Kickfurther goes on to include affordability, flexible payment terms, and a community of entrepreneurs here to support you.

Ready to grow your business? Here’s what you should know about how Google Advertising works.

What is Google Advertising?

Google Advertising is a marketing platform created by Google that allows businesses to display ads on its search engine results pages (SERPs), on other websites that participate in the Google Ads program (known as the Google Display Network), and on YouTube videos. This platform is designed to help businesses of all sizes to reach their target audience and drive traffic to their website or physical store. Google Ads operates on a pay-per-click (PPC) model, meaning that businesses only pay when a user clicks on their ad. The platform uses a bidding system in which businesses bid on specific keywords and ad placements to determine how much they will pay per click.

How do Google Ads work?

Google Ads works by allowing businesses to create ads, target specific audiences, bid on keywords, and pay for clicks. By using this platform, businesses can reach a wider audience and increase their online visibility, leading to more leads and sales.

Here is how Google Ads works:

#1. Create an account: First, businesses must create a Google Ads account and set up a campaign. They can choose their budget, targeting options, ad format, and keywords to bid on.

#2. Set a budget: Advertisers set a daily or monthly budget, which determines how much they are willing to spend on their ads.

#3. Choose keywords: Advertisers choose specific keywords that are relevant to their business and target audience. They bid on these keywords, and the amount they bid determines how likely their ad is to appear when someone searches for those keywords.

#4. Create ad groups: Advertisers create ad groups that contain one or more ads and relevant keywords. Each ad group targets a specific audience and contains ads that are tailored to that audience.

#5. Write ads: Advertisers write ad copy that appears on the SERP when someone searches for the relevant keyword. The ad copy should be compelling and encourage the user to click on the ad.

#6. Launch the campaign: Once the campaign is set up, advertisers can launch their ads and start bidding on keywords. Google’s system will automatically show the ads that are most relevant to the user’s search query and that have the highest bid.

#7. Measure and optimize: Advertisers can measure the performance of their ads using Google Ads analytics tools. They can track metrics like clicks, impressions, and conversions, and use that data to optimize their campaigns to get better results.

How do I create a Google Ads account?

To create a Google Ads account, follow these steps:

Go to the Google Ads website at https://ads.google.com/.
Click on the “Start now” button.
Choose the Google Account you want to use for Google Ads or create a new one if you don’t have one.
Follow the prompts to set up your account. You will need to provide information such as your business name, website, location, and payment details.
Once you have provided all the necessary information, click on the “Submit” button to create your account.

After creating your account, you can start creating your first Google Ads campaign by following the instructions provided by Google Ads. Remember to set up your targeting options, choose your keywords, write your ads, and set your budget and bids.

What are the different types of Google Ads, and how do I choose the right type for my business?

There are several types of Google Ads that you can use to promote your business, and choosing the right type depends on your business goals, target audience, and budget. Here are some of the most common types of Google Ads:

Search Ads: These are the most common type of ads that appear at the top and bottom of Google search results. They are text-based ads that target specific keywords and search phrases.
Display Ads: These are image-based ads that appear on websites across the internet that are part of the Google Display Network. They can be targeted based on demographics, interests, and behavior.
Video Ads: These are video-based ads that can be shown on YouTube and other websites across the internet. They can be skippable or non-skippable and can be targeted based on demographics, interests, and behavior.
Shopping Ads: These are ads that feature product listings and appear at the top of Google search results when someone searches for a particular product. They are targeted based on product data and can be used by online retailers.
App Ads: These are ads that promote mobile apps and can appear in Google search results, Google Play, and other mobile apps. They can be targeted based on app data and user behavior.

To choose the right type of Google Ads for your business, consider your goals and budget. If you want to increase website traffic and sales, search and shopping ads may be the best option. If you want to build brand awareness, display and video ads may be more effective. If you have a mobile app, app ads can help you acquire new users. Ultimately, it’s important to test different types of ads to see which ones perform best for your business.

How to set a Google Ads budget

To set a Google Ads budget, consider following these steps:

Determine your advertising goals: Before you set your budget, you should have a clear understanding of what you want to achieve with your Google Ads campaign. Your goals will help you determine how much you need to spend.
Choose your bidding strategy: Google Ads offers different bidding strategies that allow you to control how your budget is spent. You can choose to pay for clicks (CPC), impressions (CPM), conversions (CPA), or maximize clicks or conversions.
Estimate your costs: Use the Google Ads Keyword Planner tool to estimate the cost of your keywords and get an idea of how much you need to spend to achieve your advertising goals.
Set your budget: Once you have a clear understanding of your advertising goals, bidding strategy, and estimated costs, you can set your budget. Start with a conservative budget and adjust it as you monitor your campaign performance.
Monitor your campaign performance: It’s important to monitor your campaign performance regularly to ensure that you are getting a good return on investment (ROI). Adjust your budget as necessary to improve your results.

Remember that your budget is just one part of your Google Ads strategy. To get the best results, you should also focus on targeting the right audience, choosing the right keywords, and creating compelling ad copy.

Tips for choosing keywords for your Google Ads campaign

Choosing the right keywords is crucial for the success of your Google Ads campaign. The world of Google Ads can be confusing so don’t be ashamed if you need to hire a professional to help. It’s better to invest and do things the right way rather than take on more than you can handle. Should you choose to execute your own Google Ads, learn as much as you can about keywords.

Here are some tips for selecting effective keywords:

Use keyword research tools: Use keyword research tools such as Google’s Keyword Planner to identify relevant keywords for your business. These tools can help you identify search volume, competition, and estimated cost-per-click (CPC) for each keyword.
Consider intent: Choose keywords that align with the intent of your target audience. For example, if you are a plumber, you might use keywords such as “emergency plumbing services” or “leaky pipe repair” to target people who need immediate plumbing help.
Focus on relevancy: Choose keywords that are relevant to your business and your landing page. Avoid broad or generic keywords that are not specific to your business.
Use long-tail keywords: Long-tail keywords are more specific and less competitive than broad keywords. They are often cheaper and more effective at driving relevant traffic to your website.
Monitor and refine: Monitor the performance of your keywords regularly and refine your list as necessary. Remove underperforming keywords and add new ones that are driving relevant traffic to your website.
Consider negative keywords: Use negative keywords to exclude irrelevant searches that may trigger your ads. This will help you avoid wasting your budget on clicks that are unlikely to convert.

How to create effective ad copy for Google Ads

Creating effective ad copy for your Google Ads campaign is essential for driving traffic to your website and converting leads into customers. Here are some tips for creating compelling ad copy:

Use a clear and concise headline
Highlight your unique selling proposition (USP)
Use persuasive language
Include a call-to-action (CTA)
Use ad extensions
Test and refine

Remember that your ad copy should be relevant to your target audience and aligned with your landing page. By creating compelling ad copy that resonates with your target audience, you can increase the effectiveness of your Google Ads campaign and drive more traffic to your website.

Tracking Google Ads performance

Tracking the performance of your Google Ads campaign is important to ensure that you are getting a good return on investment (ROI). Here are some key metrics to track and tools to use:

Click-through rate (CTR): CTR measures the number of clicks your ads receive divided by the number of impressions. A higher CTR indicates that your ads are relevant and engaging to your target audience.
Conversion rate: Conversion rate measures the percentage of clicks that result in a desired action, such as a purchase or a sign-up. A higher conversion rate indicates that your ads are effectively driving conversions.
Cost-per-click (CPC): CPC measures the cost of each click on your ads. A lower CPC indicates that you are getting more clicks for your budget.
Return on investment (ROI): ROI measures the revenue generated by your ads divided by the cost of your ads. A positive ROI indicates that your ads are generating more revenue than they cost.
Google Ads reporting: Use the reporting features in your Google Ads account to track your campaign performance. You can create custom reports that show data for specific time periods, campaigns, and keywords.
Google Analytics: Google Analytics provides additional data about your website visitors and can help you track conversions and ROI.

Remember to regularly monitor your campaign performance and adjust your strategy as necessary to improve your ROI. By tracking your Google Ads performance, you can make data-driven decisions that improve the effectiveness of your campaigns.

How Kickfurther can help

Google Ads campaigns can drive a lot of traffic to a business’s website, but this traffic won’t convert into sales if the business doesn’t have enough inventory to meet demand. Kickfurther can help with small business inventory funding that’s affordable and easily accessible. Free up the cash flow you need to grow your business all while ensuring you have enough inventory on hand. At Kickfurther you can get inventory now and pay later – and yes, it’s really that simple.

Closing thoughts

With a successful Google Advertising campaign, you should see an uptick in sales. To free up cash flow to invest in the campaign all the while stocking enough inventory for the increase in demand, we encourage you to use inventory funding.

Kickfurther funds up to 100% of your inventory costs on flexible payment terms that you control. Our unique funding platform can fund your entire order(s) each time you need more inventory, so you can put your capital on hand to work growing your business without adding debt or giving up equity.

Interested in getting funded at Kickfurther? Here are 3 easy steps to get started:

#1. Create a free business account

#2. Complete the online application

#3. Review a potential deal with one of our account reps & get funded in minutes