Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Kickstarter Manufacturer

Being a successful Kickstarter creator for an electronic product can be absolute chaos. There is a lot to juggle, but choosing the right printed circuit board manufacturer can make things easier. But who to choose? Here are a few questions to ask when trying to pick the right manufacturer.

Do you accept orders for prototypes and small production runs?

Prototyping and iteration are a huge part of design. You want an electronics manufacturer that is down to prototype AND can do quick turnarounds at a good price. When it comes to production, the best partners will be excited to have your board or device order, whether it’s for one unit or 100,000+.

Do you have an online portal for ordering and project management and can I demo it?

The best Kickstarter PCB electronics manufacturing services keep costs low and production times quick by using software to manage the entire process. An online portal used for the large majority of interaction with them, so make sure it’s user-friendly and offers the tracking and reporting features you want. It should be quick and easy to upload design documents and Bills of Materials, with the expectation of a quote back within a few minutes.

Do you offer both printed PCB assembly and electronic device assembly?

This might not be as important if you only want the boards, but typically you want that PCB to be a part of a product, so why not look for aservice that provides both? This cuts down on shipping delays and expenses, making sure there’s effective parts management. This also helps avoid potential miscommunication.

Does your electronics manufacturing service offer inventory management and fulfillment?

If you want to take your device assembly and development to the next level, it’s worth picking an electronics manufacturer that also does inventory management and fulfillment services. This saves you the hassle and expense of storing your product and shipping it out when somebody orders it. Be a kickstarter superstar with a vendor who has an API so that your ERP or e-commerce solution can be integrated with their platform. This means as soon as the customer buys, the product simply ships. No hassle or work on your part. Easy, right?

Do you offer “House” parts?

House parts are popular items that the manufacturer keeps in stock. They’ll orders large quantities of popular parts, and the discount they get is passed on to you. This way you get the advantage of buying in bulk, even if you’re working on a single prototype.

If you found an electronics manufacturing service that meets your needs after this checklist, then it’s a match made in heaven. But if they don’t, don’t fret – you have lots of options out there. Don’t settle for anything less than everything you want.