Game studios and other developers are increasingly looking for ways to optimise their budgets. One significant cost that often significantly burdens projects is the commission fees charged by external pledge manager platforms. In this expert article, we will outline how implementing a dedicated platform - an in-house Pledge Manager based on the ICEberg CMS 5 solution - allows for a significant reduction in commission costs and increased control over the crowdfunding campaign.
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Introduction to Pledge Managers
Crowdfunding campaigns have become a key element in the funding of innovative projects, most notably board and video games. Pledge Manager is a tool used to manage the execution of the campaign, in particular for order processing, communication with backers and shipping logistics. Traditional third-party solutions, such as BackerKit or Crowd Ox, charge interest on funds raised, which can translate into significant costs for large campaigns. For this reason, the alternative for many game studios is to create their own dedicated system - Pledge Manager.
Commission issues and costs of external platforms
High fees charged by external systems
Many popular pledge management platforms charge commissions of between 5 and 10 per cent of the total amount raised by a project. For campaigns that exceed hundreds of thousands or even millions of pounds, these fees can significantly reduce the studio's final profit. In addition to commissions, the use of such systems often comes with additional costs - such as integration, technical or customer support fees.
Lack of flexibility and limited control
When using off-the-shelf solutions, campaign developers must adhere to the rules set by the providers, which often limits the possibilities for personalisation and customisation of the tool to meet specific project needs. The lack of full control over the interface, the presentation of rewards or the management of the backer database can hinder effective communication and campaign management.
Advantages of implementing your own Pledge Manager
Reduction of commission costs
The implementation of a dedicated system based on ICEberg CMS 5 allows for a significant reduction in costs. Unlike off-the-shelf solutions, the in-house Pledge Manager does not charge standard commissions on funds collected - the costs are only related to the maintenance and development of the system, which, with appropriate technical optimisation, can be much lower than external fees.
Full control of the crowdfunding campaign
The in-house system allows full personalisation of the interface and functionality. The studio can customise the look of the site, the reward system or dispatch schedules according to its requirements. This allows not only better communication with backers, but also a flexible response to changing campaign conditions.
Integrated analytical tools
The dedicated Pledge Manager can be integrated with analytics tools to monitor user behaviour, track conversion rates and analyse sales data in real time. In this way, developers can optimise their campaigns, making informed business decisions.
Security and independence
An in-house platform allows full control over user data and transaction history, which increases the level of security. The absence of the need to work with external providers eliminates the risk of potential failures or changes in terms and conditions that could negatively affect the campaign.
How does a dedicated Pledge Manager reduce costs?
Minimisation of commission
An in-house system eliminates the need to pass on part of the profits as commission to external platforms. In the long term, especially for multi-million pound campaigns, these savings can be significant.
Optimisation of sales processes
A dedicated Pledge Manager enables the automation of a number of processes - from order confirmation to shipment status updates to report generation. Automation reduces operational costs and allows resources to be focused on product development rather than administration.
Flexibility of integration with other systems
Thanks to the open environment of ICEberg CMS 5, it is possible to easily integrate your own Pledge Manager with other tools (e.g. CRM systems, payment platforms or email marketing tools). This allows you to create a consistent campaign management ecosystem, resulting in better financial performance.
Expert advice
Statements by experts from industry portals, such as BoardGameGeek and portals dedicated to crowdfunding, indicate that innovative technological solutions allow the creation of more flexible and effective campaign management systems. The key aspects here are personalisation, transparency and the ability to integrate with external systems, all of which are advantages of proprietary solutions over standard platforms.
How do you implement your own Pledge Manager?
Choice of technology and CMS
One of the key steps is to choose the technology on which the system will be based. ICEberg CMS 5, known for its flexibility and modularity, makes it possible to create an extensive yet easy to maintain system. Its open architecture allows integration with many popular tools and payment systems.
System planning and design
The next stage is the development of a detailed implementation plan, which includes:
- Analysis of campaign needs and specification of functional requirements.
- Designing the user interface with an intuitive user experience in mind for both studios and backers.
- Implementation of key modules such as order management, payment processing, integration with mailing systems and analytical tools.
Testing and optimisation
Before the system is fully implemented, testing is necessary to eliminate any bugs and optimise the performance of the platform. Testing should include both functional and usability testing to ensure that the system meets all the requirements of the crowdfunding campaign.
Implementation and monitoring
Once a dedicated Pledge Manager is in place, it is important to constantly monitor its performance. Collecting data on user behaviour, analysing conversion rates and regularly updating the system will allow you to continuously improve the platform and maximise savings.
Summary
Implementing an in-house Pledge Manager based on ICEberg CMS 5 is a strategic solution that enables game studios to reduce the commission costs charged by external crowdfunding platforms. With a dedicated system, developers gain full control over the campaign, can personalise the interface and integrate analytical tools, resulting in greater efficiency and savings.
The investment in a dedicated tool, although requiring an initial investment in implementation and optimisation, brings significant financial benefits in the long term. Reduced fees, streamlined logistics processes and the ability to react quickly to changing market conditions are just some of the advantages of an in-house Pledge Manager.
For game studios that want to achieve greater independence and efficiency in running crowdfunding campaigns, a dedicated solution is an alternative worth considering. In the face of increasing competition and the high cost of external platforms, an in-house campaign management system can be the key to success and long-term financial stability.
By implementing their own Pledge Manager, creators can not only reduce commission costs, but also build a stronger relationship with their community, resulting in better campaign results and satisfaction for both the studio and backers. It's an investment that, over time, can become the foundation for success in the fast-paced world of crowdfunding.
How can ICEberg CMS 5 help with this?
ICEberg CMS 5 is a modern, flexible and modular solution that can become the foundation for building a dedicated Pledge Manager - a tool that allows game studios and crowdfunding campaign creators to have full control over the backer handling process and significantly reduce commission costs. In this expert article, we will discuss how ICEberg CMS 5 can help you achieve this goal, the benefits of using this system and what key functionalities are worth using when implementing your own Pledge Manager.
ICEberg CMS 5 - Introduction and key features
ICEberg CMS 5 is an advanced content management system that stands out above all:
- Modularity - allows easy addition of new features and integration with external tools.
- Flexibility - allows full personalisation of the interface and logic of operation, which is key when building a tool dedicated to the specific needs of game studios.
- Scalability - the system can be expanded as campaigns and user numbers grow, so the solution grows with the business.
- Security - ICEberg CMS 5 offers advanced access control and data protection mechanisms, which is crucial when handling sensitive backer and transaction information.
With these features, ICEberg CMS 5 provides a solid foundation for Pledge Manager applications that not only support day-to-day campaign administration, but also allow full integration with existing sales and analytics systems.
Reduction of commission costs through in-house solution
Elimination of external charges
Using off-the-shelf crowdfunding campaign management platforms, such as BackerKit or Crowd Ox, is usually associated with charging a commission on the funds raised. Implementing your own Pledge Manager based on ICEberg CMS 5 allows you to:
- Completely eliminate or significantly reduce commission rates,
- Redirect savings to product development and campaign marketing,
- Increase the margin from each completed order.
Process automation and workflow optimisation
With the built-in modules of ICEberg CMS 5, it is possible to automate key processes such as:
- Order confirmation and shipment status updates,
- Integration with payment and e-mail marketing systems,
- Report generation and real-time data analysis.
Automation not only reduces operational costs, but also reduces the risk of human error, which contributes to the efficiency of the entire campaign.
Full control and personalisation of the crowdfunding campaign
Personalisation of the interface and user experience
One of the main strengths of ICEberg CMS 5 is the ability to fully customise the look and functionality of the system. Game studios can:
- Adapt the Pledge Manager interface to their own visual identity,
- Introduce unique mechanisms for the presentation of rewards and promotions,
- Provide intuitive navigation for both the administrative team and backers.
This approach translates into a better user experience, which can increase the engagement and loyalty of the community supporting the campaign.
Integration with analytical and CRM tools
ICEberg CMS 5 enables easy integration with data analysis tools and CRM systems. As a result:
- Game studios can track backer behaviour,
- Analyse conversion rates and monitor campaign effectiveness,
- Respond quickly to changes in customer behaviour by adjusting communication strategies.
Full control over the data enables informed decision-making, which in the long term results in more effective campaigns.
Key functionalities of ICEberg CMS 5 useful in Pledge Manager
Modular architecture and ease of integration
ICEberg CMS 5 is characterised by a modular architecture, which allows:
- Rapid addition of new features without having to rebuild the entire system,
- Integration with APIs of popular payment platforms, mailing systems and analytical tools,
- Easy adaptation of the system to the specific requirements of crowdfunding campaigns.
Content management system and editing flexibility
The built-in content management system enables:
- Create dynamic campaign pages,
- Management of updates for backers and publication of reports,
- Personalisation of content according to audience segment.
This allows a high level of communication and transparency to be maintained, increasing the confidence of backers.
Advanced security tools
Data security is a priority when handling crowdfunding campaigns. ICEberg CMS 5 offers:
- User authentication and authorisation mechanisms,
- Encryption of data in transit and at rest,
- Regular security updates and technical support.
This minimises the risk of information leakage and provides peace of mind for both creators and backers.
Application examples and case studies
Although the implementation of dedicated Pledge Managers based on ICEberg CMS 5 is a relatively new trend, the first case studies show tangible benefits. Studios that have chosen to implement their own solution have noticed:
- A significant reduction in operational costs related to commissions,
- Improved logistics and backer handling processes,
- Improved analytical performance, allowing ongoing adjustments to campaign strategy.
For example, one small games studio, having implemented a dedicated Pledge Manager, saw commission costs fall by more than 40% compared to previous campaigns implemented by external platforms. In addition, the ability to integrate with the CRM system allowed for better customer relationship management, which translated into higher satisfaction and loyalty among supporters.
How do you start implementing ICEberg CMS 5 in your Pledge Manager?
Analysis of needs and preparation of specifications
The first step is to define the exact requirements:
- Identifying the functions that the system is to perform (order management, integration with payment systems, communication modules, etc.),
- Drawing up a map of the processes to be automated,
- Selection of tools and technologies to support the integration of ICEberg CMS 5 with existing systems.
Solution development and testing
It is then worth proceeding to the development phase:
- Implementation of core modules and integration with external APIs,
- Conducting functional and security tests,
- Collecting feedback from beta users to optimise the system before full implementation.
Implementation and monitoring of results
After successful testing, the key is to:
- Launching a dedicated Pledge Manager in the production environment,
- Continuous monitoring of key indicators (conversion, user satisfaction, operational costs),
- Regular updates and optimisation of the system based on the data collected.
Summary
ICEberg CMS 5 is a powerful tool that, when implemented with a dedicated Pledge Manager, can significantly reduce the commission costs of crowdfunding campaigns, increase the flexibility of project management and improve the experience of both creators and backers. Thanks to its modular architecture, ability to integrate with other systems and advanced personalisation features, the solution allows full control over the campaign management process, resulting in higher efficiency and greater savings.
For game studios and other developers looking to minimise the cost of working with external platforms, investing in their own Pledge Manager based on ICEberg CMS 5 is a strategic move. Not only does it allow for the elimination of high commissions, but also for building strong relationships with the community and adapting the system to the dynamically changing needs of the campaign. In an era of increasing competition in the crowdfunding market, an in-house solution is becoming a key element of success to achieve long-term financial and operational sustainability.
Implementing ICEberg CMS 5 as the foundation of an in-house Pledge Manager is not only a cost-saving measure - it is an investment in independence, security and full control over the crowdfunding campaign, which can bring tangible benefits at every stage of the project.
