Nothing! You can create and build a silent auction on the BidBoard platform completely for free. We only charge you when you run and collect revenue on an event.

You only need one. Share your login information carefully, but BidBoard is currently configured on a one-to-one access, so there is only one admin account needed per organization and event.

Admin users can either add auction items by uploading a properly formatted CSV file in bulk or manually. If uploaded in bulk, admin users have the ability to edit individual auction items as needed. The CSV file contains fields for the item title, description, starting bid, bid increment, donated by, and up to 6 pictures can be added to each item later in the process.

During the auction setup admin users can choose to start an auction immediately or schedule a start and end time in the future. However, once an auction is started, auction items cannot currently be edited.

Each auction created in the BidBoard system is assigned its own unique event code. When you are ready to begin the bidding process, bidders can access bidding by either downloading the BidBoard iPhone app or through the web-based portal on any browser and entering the event code.

Once users have accessed an auction, they are free to bid using the Bid button, which increases bids automatically, or entering a manual bid.

Currently the BidBoard system does not directly accept payments. We recommend using a mobile third party payment processing system such as Square. We hope to have the payment acceptance feature to you soon, but right now you can track whether or not won auction items have been paid by manually checking off items in the admin panel.

When a silent auction is created the system assigns the admin a unique event code. Your event organizer will share your event code with you through their own forms of communication, and the event code should be prominently displayed at your event. If you have questions about your event code please check with your event organizer or event volunteers first before contacting support.

As long as your phone has a data-enabled cellular network, the BidBoard app performs like any other app. You must be connected either via network or WiFi to make bids.

Auction organizers determine the prices and bidding increments for auction items prior to beginning the silent auction. The bid button found on each item detail page automatically places your bid at the next highest allowable dollar amount based on the bid increment. If you’d like to bid more to make sure you’ll win, or to get into the spirit of giving, you can enter a manual bid as long as it is higher than the next highest automatic bid increment.

The BidBoard platform comes with a notification system to let you know when you’ve been outbid or you’ve won an item. The notification system is delivered via text for app users and email for web-based users. Additionally, the Bid button becomes active again if you’ve been outbid on an item; otherwise, the bid button cannot be pressed if you are still the highest bidder.

Right now you have to pay for your won items through a third party payment processing system. Please contact your event hosts and volunteer staff to pay for your items. However, the ability to accept payments directly through the app is coming very soon! Be sure to look out for it.

Please contact your event host and/or volunteers for directions on collecting auction items you’ve won.

Right now you have to pay for your won items through a third party payment processing system. Please contact your event hosts and volunteer staff to pay for your items. However, the ability to accept payments directly through the app is coming very soon! Be sure to look out for it.

Currently the BidBoard system does not directly accept payments. We recommend using a mobile third party payment processing system such as Square. We hope to have the payment acceptance feature to you soon, but right now you can track whether or not won auction items have been paid by manually checking off items in the admin panel.

You can go through the entire auction setup process in order to get a feel for how the system functions from the admin and management side. When you are ready to pay for your auction there is a button that prompts you to pay and you can pay with any major credit card. BidBoard uses Stripe payment processing for secure transactions. You can also save credit card information for easy payment for future events.