A timed online auction might be your best bet if you're looking for a flexible, lower-pressure option that still brings in big bids.
Auctions combine entertainment, urgency, and generosity – three powerful ingredients for successful fundraising. Unlike traditional in-person galas or fast-paced livestream events, timed auctions run quietly in the background, letting supporters participate independently.
When done right, timed auctions can generate just as much exposure and revenue as their live counterparts. The trick, however, is in how you structure, promote, and manage them. Here’s how to do just that.
A timed online auction is an auction that runs for a set period, most often online. During the auction window, people can bid on items, and, like traditional auctions, the highest bid wins the item at closing time.
There’s no live host, event space, or frantic gavel-drop countdown — just a digital storefront of items and a countdown clock. This auction format:
A timed auction also has major earning potential. You can engage supporters who may not be able to attend a physical event or participate in a live virtual auction because of their location or time zone, significantly boosting your reach.
The bidding window is at the core of the timed auction format. You choose a start and end time, anywhere from 48 hours to a whole week for example.
Once the auction opens, bidders can view items, read descriptions, and place bids at any point until the clock runs out. Some platforms even allow proxy bidding, where participants can set their maximum bid and let the system increase their bids automatically in set increments as others compete.
The structure is simple, but it doesn’t guarantee success. You still need to put in the work. The item descriptions must be vivid and informative, and the photos must be high-quality.
The auction site also needs to provide an intuitive, mobile-friendly design and offer real-time updates so bidders can receive updates within the bidding window. BiddingOwl is a great example of an easy-to-use auction platform that lets you quickly create a personalized auction site with all the essential features to run a successful event.
So, how does a timed online auction compare to a live auction? While live auctions (in-person or virtual) offer real-time interaction, they also require a bigger production and more resources. You need an auctioneer or host, active tech support, and a fully present audience at a specific time.
That energy can generate fast bids, but also limits your item options and reach.
On the other hand, timed auctions give bidders more time to think about their bids and more freedom to participate when it works for them. They’re also less resource-intensive and allow you to gather a much larger bidder pool if you do your auction marketing right.
Getting people to place a first bid is one thing. Getting them to keep coming back and outbidding others is another. Timed auctions thrive on engagement, so it’s essential to understand what drives bidding behavior and how to nudge it along.
The entire process begins with the auction catalog. Your auction items need to look good and be relevant to your audience. For example, you can auction experience-based offerings like private tours, local getaways, virtual cooking classes, or custom artwork.
Partner with local businesses for donations, and make each listing shine with sharp images, transparent pricing, and compelling descriptions. Your items should feel worth fighting for.
A good mix of price points is also key. High-end items create excitement, but lower-cost options encourage broader participation.
The countdown is your most powerful tool in a timed online auction. As the clock winds down, it creates a sense of urgency that drives higher engagement and boosts conversions, so use it often and early on. A long bidding window gives people time to explore, but the magic happens in the final 24 hours.
Remind bidders of the closing time via emails, texts, or social posts, and feature a “last chance” preview where you highlight the items closing soon. Let people know when bidding heats up so they’re encouraged to bid immediately.
Many platforms will show real-time bidding activity, which can trigger FOMO (fear of missing out) and push people to act. Bidders should feel the pressure, but in a fun, low-stakes way. That ticking clock is what drives urgency, which is what ultimately fuels competitive bidding.
Setting the correct bid increment too high can scare people off, and setting it too low can create unnecessary back-and-forth that frustrates users. In our experience, the best natural increment is usually 5 to 10 percent of the item’s market value.
You should also enable proxy or auto-bidding if your platform allows it. This gives participants a more relaxed experience — they can set a cap and let the system handle the rest. It also ensures that the item always reaches its full bidding potential, especially in the final hours.
Launch your auction with a bang! Send out a teaser email a few days before the start time, give early access to VIP donors or board members, and post item previews on social media. Once the auction is live, don’t let the chatter around it go quiet.
Schedule daily updates, spotlight trending items, or run mini-challenges, such as “Who will place the 100th bid?” You can gamify parts of the auction, award prizes to the highest bidder, and create leaderboards for friendly competition.
Remember, the goal is to give people a reason to return multiple times, not just log in once and forget about it. Keeping users engaged at all times is key.
Strong communication is the backbone of a successful timed online auction. Before you launch your auction, ensure users understand how the bidding works, how winners are notified, and how items are delivered after the event.
After the auction, thank your supporters, announce totals, and tell winners what to expect next. The smoother your process, the more likely bidders will return the next time you host an auction.
A timed online auction is an excellent opportunity to energize your community, showcase your mission, and raise real money without the overhead of a live event. Approaching timed auctions with a clear strategy, creative promotion, and user-friendly tech can spark as much excitement and generosity as any gala night!
The secret? Make your items irresistible, your communication crystal clear, and your timeline engaging from start to finish. This way, you can turn even a quiet countdown into a bidding frenzy that benefits your cause in a big way.
Streamline the online auction process with BiddingOwl. Purpose-built for online auctions, BiddingOwl lets you auction items virtually and raise money for all your causes. What are you waiting for? Create your first online auction today!
Mo-Fri 9 am to 5 pm Eastern Time
24/7 critical emergency support
All currencies supported