Sixteen of the Top 100 Crowdfunding Websites Lose Traffic Due to Fierce Competition over the Past 12 Months

#1 Kickstarter Sees 25% Decline, #6 Indiegogo Falls 36%, #11 uInvest Loses 28%

By Robert Hoskins

Overall, the Top 100 Crowdfunding Sites worldwide saw a growth rate of 255%.  Not bad in a hyper-competitive market place. This demonstrates an impressive growth rate for the Crowdfunding industry, which is growing rapidly on a worldwide basis.   Click here to see the Top 100 Crowdfunding Sites and their growth rates over the past 12 months according to SimilarWeb Statistics.

Sixteen of Top 100 Crowdfunding Websites Lose Traffic Due to Fierce Competition

And while most Crowdfunding sites grew, sixteen of top 100 crowdfunding sites saw significant website traffic decreases.   This is the result of fierce competition and shows how difficult it can be for the crowdfunding leaders such as Kickstarter and Indiegogo to maintain their growth due to the onslaught of new competitors.

The cool thing about the SimilarWeb statistics that were used to build this report was the competitive information they provide for each crowdfunding website such as the top referring sites, sites that viewers went to next and the amount of traffic being generated by direct traffic, referral partners, search, social media, email and display advertising.

Crowdfunding sites at the bottom of the Top 100 Crowdfunding List can use this information to improve their marketing program’s performance and try to work their way to the top of the list.

SimilarWeb Traffic Sources for Kickstarter

Top 10 Crowdfunding Sites that Experienced Decreasing Website Traffic over the Last 12 Months

Source:  April 2014 SimilarWeb Statistics

Rank	Site	Rank Link	Growth
92	www.fundageek.com	2,376,689  (-3,636,206)	-83.58%
80	www.solarmosaic.com	754,410  (-399,359)	-52.94%
90	www.clickstartme.com	1,791,606  (-894,227)	-49.91%
96	www.ipledg.com	2,841,472  (-1,375,367)	-48.40%
100	www.getspringboarded.com	8,005,621  (-3,514,142)	-43.90%
68	www.growvc.com	433,297  (-163,387)	-37.71%
6	www.indiegogo.com	3,711  (-1,361)	-36.67%
11	www.uinvest.com.ua	7,393  (-2,037)	-27.55%
85	www.massivemov.com	1,119,512  (-295,027)	-26.35%
1	www.kickstarter.com	964  (-244)	-25.31%
76	www.appsfunder.com	570,311  (-105,800)	-18.55%
97	www.dreambank.org	4,727,020  (-854,041)	-18.07%
82	www.propellr.com	880,890  (-126,480)	-14.36%
95	www.crowdfundingbank.com	2,735,695  (-343,103)	-12.54%

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Top 100 Crowdfunding Sites for Equity-based, Rewards-based, Perks-based and Donation-based Fundraising Campaigns

Click Here to Review the 2015 Top 10 Rated Crowdfunding Sites to Help Anyone Launch a Fundraising Campaign to Raise Money to Bring Creative New Business Ideas to Fruition

By Robert Hoskins

Austin, Texas – Thinking about launching a Crowdfunding campaign to raise money to fund your creative business idea and bring it to fruition?  The Crowdfunding Press Center provides regular news reports on new Crowdfunding sites that have opened their doors to help entrepreneurs and small businesses launch fundraising campaigns to help bring their ingenious business ideas to fruition.

Top 10 Crowdfunding Sites for 2014

The big question that most crowdfunding campaign managers want to know is what crowdfunding site is the best to launch their fundraising campaign? Kickstarter vs. Indiegogo, which crowdfunding site is better? Or would one of the other crowdfunding sites outlined below be a better match for their precise crowdfunding goals and objectives.

Directory of Recently Launched Crowdfunding Sites: [Click to Tweet]

• 99Funding
• AlumniFunder
• BanktotheFuture
• Bellavate
• Big-Concepts
• ClickStartMe
• cMEcompete
• Crowd Valley
• Crowdcube
• Crowdfund It Today
• Crowdfunder
• Crowdit
• CrowdTilt
• Foodstart
• Fundable
• FunderHut
• Fundly
• give2gether
• GivetoBenefit
• iCrowd
• KrowdKidz
• Launcht
• Mini America
• PiggyBackr
• Pik a Venture
• PledgeCents
• RockthePost
• Seed&Spark
• SeedInvest
• Start a Cure
• Sterlingfunder
• UInvest
• VentureHealth
• WeFunder
• YouCaring

Directory of the Top Rewards-Based Crowdfunding Sites: [Click to Tweet]

• ArtSpire
• Crowdtilt
• Feed the Muse
• FunderThunder
• IndieGoGo Crowdfunding
• iPledg
• Kickstarter Crowdfunding
• MassiveMov
• RocketHub
• Springboard
• TechMoola

Directory of the Top Disaster-Based Crowdfunding Sites: [Click to Tweet]

• Go Fund Me
• HelpersUnite.com

Directory of the Top Non-Profit-Based Crowdfunding Sites: [Click to Tweet]

• Crowdrise
• Fractured Atlas
• Fundly
• Razoo
• Start Some Good
• USA Projects

Directory of the Top Music-Based Crowdfunding Sites: [Click to Tweet]

• ArtistShare
• Hifidelics
• PledgeMusic
• Sellaband

Directory of the Top Film-Based Crowdfunding Sites: [Click to Tweet]

• Offbeatr
• Slated
• VODO

Directory of the Top Design-Based Crowdfunding Prototyping Sites: [Click to Tweet]

• FabLabs
• Inventors Warehouse
• NextFab Studio
• NYC Resistor
• TechShop

Directory of the Top Sports-Based Crowdfunding Sites:

• Involved Fan

Directory of the Top Publishing-Based Crowdfunding Sites: [Click to Tweet]

• Magcloud
• PubSlush
• Unbound

Directory of the Top Photojournalism-Based Crowdfunding Sites

• Emphas.is

Directory of the Top Arts & Crafts-Based Crowdfunding Sites:

• Etsy

Directory of the Top International-Based Crowdfunding Sites: [Click to Tweet]

• Buzz Entrepreneur – France
• Fund R Venture – United Kingdom
• Geldvoorelkarr – Netherland
• Indulu.be – Hungary
• New Jelly – Norway
• PPL – Portugal
• Starteed – Italy
• The Crowd Angel – Spain
• Ulule – France
• WazoKu – United Kingdom
• WEBclusive – Netherlands

Directory of the Top Crowdfunding Accelerators, Boot Camps, and Incubators:

• AlphaLab
• Capital Factory
• DreamIt Ventures
• Good Company Ventures
• Junto Partners
• Seed Hatchery
• TechStars
• Y-Combinator

Directory of the Top Lending-Based Crowdfunding Sites: [Click to Tweet]

• Funding Circle
• Kiva
• Lending Club
• Funding Circle
• SoMoLend

Directory of the Top Donation-Based Crowdfunding Sites: [Click to Tweet]

• Fundrazr
• GiveForward
• Pifworld
• Rally

Directory of the Top Equity-Based Crowdfunding Sites: [Click to Tweet]

• ASSOB
• Angel List
• AppsFunder
• CircleUp
• EarlyShares
• FundedbyMe
• GrowthGroup
• GrowVC
• I-Bankers Direct
• inCube Ventures
• MicroVentures
• OurCrowd
• Pozible – Australia
• Quirky

Directory of White-Label Crowdfunding Site Providers: [Click to Tweet]

• CrowdfundHQ
• CrowdfundingSite
• Crowd Fund Magic
• Crowdforce
• Crowdhoster
• Crowdtilt
• Fundrazr
• Hayduke Labs
• IgnitionDeck
• Invested.in
• Katipult
• Launcht
• Mimoona
• Selfstarter
• Thrinacia
• Towema.com

Directory of the Top Securities-Based White-Label Crowdfunding Site Providers: [Click to Tweet]

• Community Leader
• CrowdValley

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Top 5 Tips on How to Produce a Successful Crowdfunding Campaign Pitch Video

By Robert Hoskins

Kendall Almerico, ClickStartMe‘s CEO, released a video explaining five things every good crowdfunding video should do to maximize the chances of success. Almerico speaks not only from his experience operating the hottest new crowdfunding site on the Internet, but also from his background as a television and radio producer and host.

“A good video is a necessity if you want a successful crowdfunding project.” Almerico says. “More than 50% of crowdfunding projects with a video are successful. Conversely, only 30% of those without a video succeed.”

Almerico’s new video explains the five things that make or break a crowdfunding video. “Your video doesn’t have to be a Spielberg epic to be a good crowdfunding video,” Almerico notes. “But, it needs to follow five simple rules to give you the best chance of success.”

Here are Almerico’s five tips:

1.     Good video and audio quality make a difference. While a good quality crowdfunding video can be shot on an iPhone or with a camcorder, care must be taken to assure good lighting and audio. Recording a video in a well-lit room or outdoors makes the lighting part easier. The sound is another issue. If using a phone to record the audio portions, speak loudly, clearly and not too close to the phone, or too far away from it. Listen to a sample. If it sounds too hollow or if words that start with a P make sound “pops,” do it over. Also, beware of echoes. If shooting outdoors, this is usually not a problem. But recording indoors in a room with wood or tile floors is asking for trouble. By trial and error, it is easy to find a room that works.

2.    Plan the video in advance. Trained public speakers or actors can turn on the camera and talk without a plan. For others, this is is a recipe for disaster. Write a script, and try to stick to it. When writing the script, think about how a journalist tells a story. Give the “who, what, when, where and why.” In addition:

a.    Tell the story.
b.    Talk about the rewards.
c.    Give people a reason to get excited.
d.    End with “the ask” and a thank you.

“The ask” is the portion of every crowdfunding video at the end where the project creator asks for donations.

3.     Only talk about two or three rewards, not all of them. People do not want to hear about every reward being offered. Highlight some of the best rewards. Pick one from the low end, one from the middle range, and one high-end reward and discuss them. Remind the viewer that there are other rewards they can see by reading the project text. Most importantly, get excited to pitch the rewards. Excitement is contagious, and the viewer will also get excited about it if done correctly.

4.    Add update videos as the project continues. People should update their crowdfunding project constantly, adding rewards and trumpeting their successes. Consider posting additional videos when these things happen. Not only do videos get more interest for the crowdfunding project, but they get lots of additional plays on Facebook and social media when they are posted. An update video is particularly effective down the home stretch, when trying to get everyone excited again to fully fund the project as the end approaches.

5.     Keep it short and simple, but end with a bang! The video should be no longer than 3 minutes unless absolutely necessary. The last 10-15 seconds should be “the ask” where the project creator requests donations and ask for help spreading the word. This should be clear, carefully worded, and create a sense of urgency and action. Tell people what to do, and do not leave it up to them to figure it out on their own. Check out these examples:

Bad Ending:     “Thank you for watching my video and for your attention.”

Good ending:    “We only have 30 days to raise $10,000 and we need your help, now! Donate today and, just as important, spread the word by sharing our project with everyone you know. Thank you for helping to make our dream, a reality.”

Florida Gives Birth to Yet Another Crowdfunding Platform, ClickStartMe

By Robert Hoskins

The funding craze that’s sweeping the globe is receiving a complementary makeover thanks to the genius of Tess Hottenroth, COO of ClickStartMe, the newest addition to the Crowdfunding scene. ClickStartMe is the first Crowdfunding site to offer individuals and businesses everything they need to realize their dreams, including a platform to attract supporters and raise funds, an e-commerce storefront, social media tools, expert guidance, and the added bonus of site-sponsored contests offering amazing perks and prizes.

ClickStartMe Launches Crowdfunding Platform in Florida

Crowdfunding exploded across the Internet in 2009 as the latest and greatest way to generate support for funding-worthy projects, but the industry was fragmented and none of the emerging platforms offered would-be fundraisers a clear and comprehensive blueprint for success.

When Hottenroth recognized the need for a fundamental change in the Crowdfunding concept, she knew she had to revolutionize the industry by establishing her own innovative site. She now stands out as one of only a handful of women entrepreneurs in the male-dominated tech sector. According to the New York Times, women account for only 6 percent of the chief executives of the top 100 tech companies, and only 8 percent of venture-backed technology start-ups.

While Hottenroth takes on the challenge of being a groundbreaker with aplomb, she doesn’t see gender as an issue that will make or break a deal for crowdfunders. “People and businesses who need to raise money through crowdfunding don’t care if the person running the site wears a tie or slips on Louboutin pumps every day,” Hottenroth says. “People want a user-friendly experience that works and is fun, and we give that to them with ClickStartMe.”

Hottenroth does believe that being a female entrepreneur gives her certain advantages over her male counterparts in the Crowdfunding world. Her creative flair and her intuitive sense of public perception led her to design ClickStartMe in a way that makes the process of Crowdfunding uncomplicated and user-friendly.

“And let’s not forget fun,” Hottenroth says. “While Crowdfunding a project you’re passionate about is serious business, we all want to have some fun in our lives, and ClickStartMe definitely puts the fun in Crowdfunding.”

To inject a healthy dose of fun into her cutting-edge startup, Hottenroth took her cue from the public’s fascination with televised reality and talent contest shows like The Voice, America’s Next Top Model and Shark Tank and added contests for anyone who creates a ClickStartMe project. Each contest offers cash prizes, trips to fun locations and other valuable rewards for participating.

“Our Spokesmodel contest winner gets $5000. We are flying 10 models to Las Vegas for a finale on stage at the hottest club in the country,” Hottenroth said. “In our invention and product category, the contest winner gets a national distribution deal for their product and a television commercial produced for them. The perks make it fun for users and give them the opportunity to make their product widely visible, but they also add to the experience for donors – instead of just being funders, they become active supporters cheering on their contestant.”

It was after she returned to America and took the helm of a Florida media firm that Crowdfunding first caught Hottenroth’s attention. “Most of our media clients were small businesses, and as the economy continued to plummet, it was disheartening to see phenomenal ideas that were going nowhere because of the bad economy, and dreams that weren’t taking flight because traditional funding sources had dried up,” Hottenroth says. The 2012 JOBS Act put equity Crowdfunding on her radar as an alternative for small business, and she began to view the concept as the potential antidote for a multitude of financing woes.

The Crowdfunding platform Hottenroth envisioned wouldn’t kick people off once a funding goal was reached – it would encourage them to network, stay in touch with supporters and contribute to other projects. People would be able to sell the products they developed, the art they created, or the music they produced through an on-site store. They would also have easy access to key resources like accountants, patent lawyers, manufacturers and marketing experts to help them along their road to success.