Set your crowdfunding goal at the amount needed to complete the smallest version of your project that still delivers its core promise, fulfill its rewards, and cover fees, taxes, and a reasonable contingency. Then check whether the number of backers you would need is attainable from the audience you can actually reach.
1. Define the smallest version you can deliver
Start by writing down what backers must receive for the campaign to count as a success. Separate essential work from optional features, upgrades, and future phases. Cost the version that fulfills the central promise—not the most ambitious version you can imagine.
Kickstarter’s [creator guidance] recommends examining project tasks and expenses and choosing a manageable scope. If the full concept is too expensive or difficult to fund, reduce its scope or divide it into phases, while making sure the first phase is independently useful and deliverable.
2. Build a complete project cost sheet
List the costs required to make the project and get rewards to backers. Production is only one part of the budget. Include the expenses that apply to your particular project:
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
- Materials, manufacturing, or other production costs
- Labor and specialist services
- Prototyping, research, and development
- Packaging, postage, and reward fulfillment
- Marketing and campaign production
- Minimum order quantities, import duties, and VAT where applicable
Kickstarter’s [2025 campaign-goal lesson] calls out minimum order quantities, import duties, VAT, and unexpected costs as items creators may overlook. Kickstarter’s [project-budget feature] also describes planning from prototyping and R&D through packaging and shipping. Its feature availability today is not established, so use the cost categories rather than relying on a particular tool.
3. Include campaign and payment fees
Fees reduce the amount available to complete the project, so include them when calculating how much you need to raise. Kickstarter’s 2025 guidance lists a 5% platform fee and payment-processing fees of approximately 3–5%; its [May 2024 funding-goal article] gives the same figures and identifies Stripe for card processing. These are Kickstarter-specific figures from those guidance articles, not universal crowdfunding rates. Check the current fee schedule for your platform, payment method, and region before launch.
Do not simply add a flat fee amount to the production budget: platform and processing fees are charged against funds raised, so the gross goal may need to be higher than the net amount you need. Use the platform’s current fee information and calculator, if available, to estimate the amount that will remain after deductions.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
4. Plan for taxes and unexpected costs
Investigate how campaign proceeds are treated in the jurisdiction where you operate. Kickstarter says funds are generally subject to taxes and advises creators to look into their obligations, but the applicable treatment depends on the creator’s circumstances and location. Do not assume a single tax rate applies to every campaign.
Add a contingency for costs that are plausible but not yet precisely known, such as production changes, shipping adjustments, or delays. Kickstarter’s 2025 lesson recommends a backup budget. There is no universally supported contingency percentage in the cited guidance; estimate it from your project’s actual uncertainties instead of copying an arbitrary rule.
5. Test whether the required backer count is reachable
Divide the funding goal by the average pledge you expect to receive to estimate how many backers are needed:
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Estimated backers required = funding goal ÷ estimated average pledge
For example, a $20,000 goal and an estimated $50 average pledge imply about 400 backers. That is a planning estimate, not a conversion forecast or evidence that 400 people will pledge. Compare it with the supporters you can plausibly reach through your own network, community, and promotion—not the total number of people who might be interested in the topic.
Kickstarter’s [funding-goal guidance] describes using a funding calculator to estimate backer needs. Also consider the time and effort you can commit to promotion. If the required number looks out of reach, revisit scope, costs, and reward structure rather than assuming a larger audience will appear.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
6. Use comparable campaigns as context, not as a target
Look at projects with similar deliverables, audience, reward complexity, and category to understand how creators present scope and what kinds of rewards backers see. Kickstarter’s [guidance on funding goals] recommends researching similar projects.
A comparable campaign’s goal is not automatically right for yours. Goals depend on what must be delivered, when the campaign ran, where the creator operates, and how rewards and shipping are handled. No current category-by-country benchmark is established in the cited material, so avoid treating old examples or raw goal figures as current standards.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.7. Match the goal to the platform’s funding model
Before choosing a goal, understand what happens if you fall short. The funding model affects whether a partial raise is useful or leaves you with money but no viable way to deliver.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsBest Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Kickstarter: all-or-nothing
Kickstarter is all-or-nothing: if a campaign misses its goal, backers are not charged and the creator receives no funds, according to its [funding-model explanation]. Set the goal at the minimum amount that still lets you complete the promised project and fulfill rewards; a lower target that cannot support delivery does not solve the underlying problem.
Indiegogo: confirm the current options for your campaign
Indiegogo’s [2020 field guide] discusses fixed and flexible funding and advises setting a goal at the smallest amount needed to complete the project and fulfill perks. Because that guide is older and platform rules can vary by location and campaign setup, verify which funding options are currently available to you and what each means before launch.
Whichever model you use, state clearly whether a partial raise would still let you deliver. If not, explain why the chosen goal represents the minimum viable budget.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
