How to host a successful auction online

Hosting an auction takes a lot of hard work, from finding auction items and organising the event to promoting the auction and ensuring a smooth experience. Further, the pandemic has made in-person, real-world auctions a distant reality. Thanks to the internet, digital auctions have come to the rescue of charities, organisations and individuals who want to raise awareness about a cause or generate funds.

If you are planning to host an auction, there’s no better time than now to embrace the power, speed and reach of online auctions. Today, technology has made it possible for anyone to set up their online auction, promote it across millions and successfully raise funds. Silent auctions have been hugely popular on the internet, thanks to the immense possibilities and seamless experiences offered by many digital auction websites.

For those worried about online silent auction sites and their efficacy, there’s no need to give it a second thought. Everything from setting up your auction storefront to inviting and managing guests can be done with software tools. Further, the power of cloud based auction platforms helps hosts to streamline different tasks and activities in one place, and take control of their auction event like a pro.

If you are set to explore online silent auction sites, check out Charity Auctions Today, an all-in-one silent auction platform to help you get started with ease and confidence. Turn your auction dream into a reality today and get set to taste success with Charity Auctions Today.

The Functioning of Top Online Auction Sites

As in most activities of life – from shopping to booking holiday packages, auctions today have also gone the online route. Top online auction sites make it easy and seamless for fundraisers to raise money for their favorite cause. This is possible because the Internet is unlimited in its scope and reach and any auction on specialized auction portals draws bidders from all over the globe, Hence, as an auction organizer, you are almost assured of the sell-out of all items at prices that are markedly higher than traditional auctions.

How do top online auction sites work?

First, and most importantly, expenses for conducting an online auction are minimal. As against the older in-premises version, there are no outlays for hiring a venue and an auctioneer, physically transporting the goods to the auction hall, and hiring people to help you out. On top online auction sites, only the photos are uploaded to the site and the goods remain with the sponsoring merchants to be directly shipped to the winners.

However, some online auction sites charge nominal administrative charges and you have to pay the full fees only of third-party service providers like payment gateways.

All top online auction sites are fully-managed platforms. The software takes care of every aspect and hence most functions are automated. Services provided include registration of the participants, having photos of the items displayed on the site (often two to three photos of the same item from different angles), conducting the bidding, declaring the winners, and providing payment gateways. The organizers have to only take care of the shipping and dispatch.

Have your auction on an online portal and reap a lot of benefits.   

The Functioning of Free Online Auction Sites

Free online auction sites are now the preferred route for fundraisers because of the many benefits that they bring to the table. All the advantages of an online environment are offered here and they are not only convenient for the organizers but the participants too.

Before going into some of the benefits, it is relevant to understand the functioning of the free online auction sites and are they really free.

The second point will be answered first.

Free online auction sites do not charge any fees for conducting the auctions. It includes registration of potential bidders, uploading photos of the items for sale on the site, conducting the bidding, and finally declaring the winners. However, organizers have to pay the usual charges for using third-party services such as payment gateways. These sites get their sustenance from donors and sponsors and are a blessing in disguise for charities.

Here are some of the benefits offered by free online auction sites.  

First, conducting auctions on these sites is very cost-effective. `Think of the huge expenses for holding a traditional auction. A venue and an auctioneer have to be hired and that can set you back substantially. Further, all the goods for the auction have to be transported physically to the venue for display. All these aspects are not relevant on free online auction sites. Participants have to register on the site, check the photos of the items, and place their bids from any Internet-enabled device such as a smartphone, tablet, or laptop.

Next, the bids at online auctions are generally higher than the usual auctions because the bidding is more competitive as participants are located all over the globe.

How Do Online Auction Fundraisers Work

In this Internet-driven age, most daily activities are online, from shopping to listening to music, reading newspapers, and more. Not far behind are online auction fundraisers that are reaping the benefits of the online environment. This is more so as traditional auctions held in closed venues with people crammed together have been temporarily disallowed due to the Covid-19 restrictions of lockdowns and social distancing.

How do these online auction fundraisers work in comparison with their traditional counterparts?

The first point of difference is that there is no need to hire venues or an auctioneer as the online version is conducted by websites using specialized software for this purpose. The items for sale do not have to be transported anywhere as in physical auctions as the photographs of the items only are displayed on the website. Both these factors lead to substantial savings and add to the profits of the auction organizers.

Online auction fundraisers are fully-managed events with a minimum of preparatory work of the organizers. The websites register the participants for the auction, display the photographs on the site, often multiple ones for an item, conduct the bidding process, and at the end declare the winners. Payment gateways are offered on-site, making the running of the auction a smooth and seamless affair from the start to finish.

Another critical factor is that organizers do not have to make elaborate marketing efforts to make an auction a great success. Online auction fundraisers websites have embedded features that help in the promotion of the auction like running email campaigns and creating a buzz on various social media platforms.

Online auction fundraisers are therefore not only cost-effective but also very efficient too.