Bottom Line

• Pick Direct Checkout for speed and immediate funding.
• Pick Draft Orders when control matters: validate demand, set payment terms, apply nuanced pricing, and even fulfill in-store with Local Pickup—a powerful fit for many crowdfunding campaigns.

When you launch a crowdfunding campaign with Fundlify, you choose how backers place and pay for pre-orders. Your choice affects cash flow, operational workload, and customer experience. Fundlify supports two methods:

• Direct Checkout – charge customers immediately through Shopify’s checkout.
• Create Draft Orders (Draft Pre-orders) – collect intent first; capture payments later when you decide.

This guide explains both, then gives a clear decision framework—plus an expanded look at why many campaigners pick Draft Orders for control and flexibility.

Option A: Direct Checkout

How it works

Backers complete payment immediately through Shopify’s standard checkout. The order is created and paid like any normal Shopify order.

Great for

• Raising funds upfront to finance production or marketing.
• Minimal manual work—Shopify automatically captures payment and creates the order.
• A familiar, friction-free checkout for customers.

Trade-offs