Maximize Your Fundraising Success with Mobile Bidding

online auction mobile bidding

Imagine a fundraising auction where participants can bid using their smartphones instead of traditional paper bid sheets. Auction Frogs offers Mobile Bidding technology that allows event attendees to securely browse, bid, and even make payments for auction items directly from their mobile devices. This approach enhances bidder engagement by providing real-time updates and ensuring they have the best chance to win their desired items.

How Mobile Bidding Works

When your attendees arrive at the event and check-in, they will receive a text message containing a link to the mobile bidding site and their secure bid number and pin.  No app to download.  Once they get logged in, your guests can see your catalogue and place bids directly from their phones.  They can set auto-bids, custom bids, or standard bids. They even get notified when they are outbid so they don’t miss the chance to bid up.

The Advantages of Mobile Bidding

More Bidding Access:   You can share your mobile bidding auction items with more than just your event guests.  Supporters that are not able to attend can get in on the fun from their phone.  They can register themselves!  All they need is a link to your mobile bidding login page.  Share your page link with your whole community.  You can also open mobile bidding prior to the night of your event.  Some even keep it open after the event ends. The sky is the limit!

Guests Stay Seated: Keep your guests in their seats during critical parts of your program.  Mobile Bidding offers supporters the convenience of bidding from their seats throughout the event.  No need for attendees to race to the back of the room to place their bid before the auction closes.

No More Data Entry: Silent auction items no longer need manual entry.  When the auction closes, the items automatically land on the winner’s invoices.  No need to keep a full team of data entry volunteers at the ready to collect, enter and distribute silent auction bid sheets.

Self-Checkout:  Guests can view and verify their invoices and pay from their phones at the end of the night.  This simplifies the often lengthy and stressful pickup and payment process you may have encountered at other events. As a result, your bidders leave the event satisfied, having efficiently and easily supported your cause.

Mobile Bidding is a true win-win solution for both your organization and your attendees. It is sure to elevate your fundraising efforts and create a more enjoyable and engaging auction experience. It’s time to maximize your fundraising potential!

Three Ways Auction Frogs Can Help:

  1. Connect with us for strategies and tips that will help you reach your goals.
  2. Check out this related article: Is Mobile Bidding a Good Fit?
  3. Schedule a demo of Mobile Bidding today!

Mobile Bidding: Is it a Good Fit for Your Next Event?

Mobile Bidding Is it a Good Fit for your Event Banner

Now more than ever, electronic, touchless bidding is being highly sought after as the experience of choice for fundraising auctions. But, is Mobile Bidding the right solution for your next gala event? Read on below to find out!

What is Mobile Bidding?

Mobile Bidding allows your event attendees to bid and donate right from their smartphones. And, all without leaving the comfort of their seats! Instead of using paper and pen, silent auction bids, purchases, and donations are captured via a custom branded microsite—a small, streamlined website with a mobile-ready, app-like feel.

How does Mobile Bidding work?

When guests arrive at your event, they check-in just as they typically would. Upon check-in, your attendees will receive a text message with their unique log-in credentials and a hyperlink to your custom-branded microsite. Guests can then log in, add any missing contact and payment information, and start bidding—simple as that!

Your supporters no longer need to peruse tables crowded with bid sheets, pens, and elbows. They simply click on items that interest them, read up on the details, and submit their bids. And, forget guests not knowing when they are outbid! Instead of needing to run back to review bid sheets, your supporters will receive text notifications encouraging them to bid again.

Guests can also utilize our AutoBid feature to set a maximum bid for an item. Doing so lets our system bid for them until their maximum bid is reached. And, once bidding ends, guests can review their winnings and make their payments right from their seats.

Why is electronic bidding so beneficial?

Mobile Bidding can be extremely beneficial to your event and your team for a number of reasons. Below, we’ve outlined the top three!

  • Streamline Guest Check-In: Gather your guests’ cell phone numbers, either at check-in or prior, and automatically text attendees their login credentials. Make your check-in process even more efficient by requiring that guests enter any missing contact information themselves, prior to being able to bid. This ensures you gather all the information you need to reconcile charges and distribute items at the end of your event!
  • Extend Bidding Time Frame: Instead of closing your auction during dinner and keynote speeches, extend your silent auction all night! Eliminating bid sheets allows your guests to bid throughout the evening from the comfort of their seats. And, with longer bidding timeframes, you allow competition to continue and bring in extra bids!
  • Quick & Easy Check-out: Once bidding has closed, your guests are able to pay right from their cell phone! This eliminates long, stressful payment and pickup lines that gala events often have. Instead, you’ll have happy bidders able to efficiently and easily support your event.

What to think about when considering Mobile Bidding

Mobile Bidding is a great addition to a lot of events. However, it will not be a great addition to EVERY event. When deciding if Mobile Bidding will work best for your event, consider and question the points below.

  • Your past Event Experience: Start by reviewing your past, non-mobile bidding events. Did your guests have to stand in long lines to check-in, place bids, or make payments? Did your silent auction items produce less revenue than expected, based on their values? Answering “Yes” to either of these questions indicates that Mobile Bidding could benefit your next event!
  • Size of your Silent Auction: Mobile Bidding works well for large and small silent auctions alike. With larger silent auctions, Mobile Bidding is an excellent choice and means you won’t have to make room for bid sheets. Meaning, you'll have room for other money-makers! However, with small silent auctions, you should plan to weigh the software cost against the revenue you hope to make.
  • Cellular Network Capabilities: Your guests will need access to cellular data in order to use Mobile Bidding. You will need to verify the strength and speed of cellular data networks from within your event space. Be sure to perform tests to gauge how fast the internet is in and around your venue’s location.
  • Your Audience Demographics: Demographics can be tricky when you are considering making a change, especially one that involves technology. If you’re worried that your crowd will be confused or frustrated by Mobile Bidding, consider having dedicated volunteers at your event to provide tech support. If you’re unsure how your supporters will feel, send out a quick survey to test the waters!
  • Size of your Volunteer Team: If you are short-staffed, Mobile Bidding is a great option! This is because there is no need to manually clerk your silent auction. Instead, your volunteers can focus on your live auction and paddle raise.

Get started Today

With the increasing preference among attendees for digital platforms, Mobile Bidding is a great tool for your next event! If you’re looking to eliminate bid sheets, or want to streamline check-in and check-out, Mobile Bidding has got you covered! Our Mobile Bidding platform is feature-rich, simple to use, and yields great results. It allows for an unlimited number of item and image uploads, plus it can be customized to reflect your brand. And, with a mobile-friendly user experience, bidders can participate on any smart device. So, get in touch today to see how we can help make your next gala event a successful one!

3 Ways Nonprofits are Raising more with Mobile Bidding

people at an auction on their phone

Charity events are complex and often exhausting with many moving parts and variables. You may choose an online auction or a live event, or perhaps a combination of the two (which we recommend). But regardless of your approach, it’s vital to have software in hand that can help you maintain and track all the moving pieces leading up to your event and in the days following.

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