Step 1
Register and login
Log in with an existing account or create a new Bid Beacon account to begin setting up your very own online auction!
Step 2
Create your auction
Creating your own online auction couldn’t be easier as our auction setup wizard will help you get started.
Step 3
Set up your auction
Add in your auction’s sponsors, set up guest instructions, customize your auction branding, set up your payment details, and more.
Step 4
Manage your auction items
You can’t host a silent auction without any items! This is where you will add the items that guests can bid on, make a donation to, or purchase. Need help finding the perfect auction items? We can help!
Step 5
Share your auction
In addition to directly inviting your supporters and network to join the auction, be sure to promote your auction on social media, to your email list, or on promotional print materials.
Features that set us apart
Included in every Full Auction
Change the auction color theme, add a banner image, customize the link/access code, and add your logo to the header
Adding a video link to each item in addition to images allows you to create engaging promotions for your items
Recognize your sponsors throughout the auction with their logo, a description, and the link to their website. Optionally, you can add sponsor tiers.
We have zero restrictions on the size of your auctions! This means you can upload as many auction items and images as needed, invite as many guests, and have as many administrators helping set up your auction.
Don’t tackle the auction set up process alone! Add additional admins to help set up and manage your auction.
Make paid tickets a requirement for guests prior to being able to bid.
Collect payment online with Express Banking through Stripe Connect, or with Alternate Payments* such as: Stripe (non-Connect version), Square, or PayPal.
*A CommuniBee subscription is required in order to use Alternate Payments.
Full list of capabilities
Copy over your organization’s details, past items, past payment setup, and even past guests.
Based on your location, your auction can collect payment in one of the supported currencies: USD, CAD, GBP, EUR, AUD, NZD.
We’re here to help at [email protected]
Invoices and receipts are automatically created for you.
Take all the time you need to set up your auction!
Finding the perfect items to include in your auction has never been easier. Browse through our shop, pick the item(s) you want to add to your auction, if any of the items sell, you pay the wholesale price and then keep the profit! Learn more.
Set a goal and watch your funds grow as users bid. This updates live and can be viewed by all auction guests.
If you need to collect additional fees, our system can do it. Adding a surcharge is a great way to recoup fees and run your auction at no cost.
Create donation items to encourage more donations.
If you have items that you want to sell at a fixed price, use us as a marketplace. See our companion product, CommuniBee for more.
For those items you auction off with an emcee or auctioneer during a live event.
Perfect if you set a fundraising goal. This calculates the approximate value of all your items so that you can set an accurate and realistic goal for your fundraiser.
Have some items end earlier than others. Items that end before the auction closes can be paid for right away .
Keep the bidding going when items are bid on in the last 30 seconds of your auction.
Or “Bid as Guest” in case someone doesn’t want to do it themselves.
Guests set their max and the system bids for them.
Includes details on the item and a QR code linking to the item’s page, perfect for in-person events.
Fully integrate your auction with Raffle Rocket. Auction guests can purchase raffle tickets from the auction, and vice versa. The auction will be accessible from your raffle’s web page.
Near the end of an auction is when bidding activity tends to reach all time highs. Capitalize on this activity by quickly extending your auction and giving guests time to place their last minute bids!
At the click of a button, extend your auction by 5, 15, 30, or 60 minutes. There’s no limit on the number of extensions you can trigger.
