Budget example
A typical cost split for a online store dream in Austin, shown in USD. Backers pay you directly using your accepted payment methods.
Example goal
$10,000
- Storefront setup and design$1,500 · 15%
- Opening product inventory$4,500 · 45%
- Packaging and product imagery$1,500 · 15%
- Fulfilment and operating reserve$2,500 · 25%
What you receive
- Backers give
- $10,000
- 0% platform commission
- −$1,500
- You receive
- $8,500
- 01
Price from quotes, not hopes
Get at least two quotes for every large cost and note what is included. Backers rarely mind a high goal; they mind a goal that looks invented.
- 02
Plan for what you receive
cohero takes 0% commission on backings, so you receive what Backers send directly through your payment methods. Set the goal so that amount covers your real costs.
- 03
Add a small buffer
Prices move. A buffer of five to ten percent in your last milestone covers surprises without making the goal look padded. Say so openly in your story.
Example milestone plan
An example plan for a online store dream with a goal of $10,000. Backers pay you directly, funding the goal all at once or milestone by milestone as you post proof for each step.
Milestone 1
$2,000 · 20%
Verify product samples
Share sample photos, supplier estimates and a product checklist comparing materials, dimensions and packaging needs.
Milestone 2
$4,000 · 40%
Receive opening inventory
Post supplier invoices, counted stock records and photos of received products with any damaged items recorded separately.
Milestone 3
$2,000 · 20%
Build the storefront
Upload screenshots of product pages, checkout test results and shipping settings with customer and payment details hidden.
Milestone 4
$2,000 · 20%
Test packing and dispatch
Share a packing trial video, packaging receipts and a dispatch checklist covering order checks and return handling.
Risks to plan for
- R1
Samples differ from stock
A good sample does not guarantee a consistent bulk order. Record product checks before buying inventory and budget for inspection, damaged units and supplier follow-up.
- R2
Shipping costs erode budget
Bulky packaging or fragile products can make dispatch more costly than expected. Test packed dimensions early and keep fulfilment room in the budget before launch.
- R3
Stock records drift
Incorrect stock counts can lead to orders for unavailable items. Reconcile the received inventory against product listings and test stock updates before opening checkout.
How Backers are protected
14-day review per milestone
When proof is posted, each Backer has 14 days to review the proof, ask for more info, and decide whether to keep supporting your next milestone.
0% commission — direct gifts, nothing taken
Backers pay exactly what they choose directly through your payment methods. cohero takes 0% commission on backings, so you keep what is sent. Any refunds or disputes are handled directly between you, the Backer and your payment provider.
Gifts, not shares
Backings are gifts. No shares, equity, interest or repayment, and Dreamers keep full ownership. Nothing on cohero is an investment or a loan.
Questions and answers
Does cohero take a commission on backings?
No. cohero charges 0% commission on backings. Backers pay you directly to your chosen payment method, so towards your goal of $10,000, you receive the full amount confirmed by you without platform deductions.
Do Backers automatically receive products from my store?
Backings on cohero are gifts, not product purchases. Describe store inventory as a business cost rather than a promised reward, and keep any separate customer ordering process distinct from the funding milestones.
Can I show checkout proof without taking real customer orders?
Use a test checkout and share the result with payment and personal details hidden. Include product variants, shipping settings and stock changes so the evidence covers the ordering process, not just the homepage.
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