Auction Script

This attractive online auction software allows webmasters to set up their own, fully-functioning auction house – featuring a well-designed interface, streamlined controls, images, maps, online stores and an easy-to-use bidding and payments system.

There’s a lot on offer in this package, and the end result looks fantastic... so lets first review a few of the features included in Auction Script.

Fantastic Auction Features

Not only does Auction Script look great, but it also comes with a wealth of handy features to get your online shop up and off the ground. Users of eBay are going to find the layout and format immediately familiar; you’ve got all the same basic features included here, too.

All you do to get going is set up an item listing for auction, add some images, set a start price and go! As with most of the popular online auction sites, items are sorted according to category – you’ll be able to include the make and model of your car for example, or add the ISBN code for the book you’re selling.

You can also include video – item listings on Auction Script come with full YouTube support, which means you’ll be able to run video auctions with zero bandwidth cost. Going one step further, items are each located using zip codes – to be displayed on the listing using a Google maps feature.

One neat extra is that this online auction script comes with search engine optimization tools, allowing you to generate organic traffic – rather than merely selling products to the customers you already have. Each listing can be filled out with full item descriptions, allowing for keyword rich texts. You’re even given control over your own keyword URLs and meta data, as a really handy addition.

You’ll find all the communication tools you need here, in order to keep in touch with your buyers – an inbox, outbox, a contact list and a block list. The script features anti-spam captchas, full MD5 password encryption and a convenient database backup utility.

When it comes to payments, you’ll be able to accept cash using a range of popular systems such as PayPal, e-gold, 2checkout and authorize.net.

Auction Script doesn’t just cater to standard style auctions though, but will also offer a range of different shop styles. You can make use of Dutch auctions, fixed price items, classified ads... all at the click of a button.

For the Webmaster

While the front end of Auction Script may be a glossy, modern affair, the back-of-house admin screens follow a much simpler, text-based format. Unlike auction sites such as eBay that send users through a series of heavily stylised menus in order to set up a listing, here it’s much more straightforward; and for webmasters who prefer working with honest lines of text rather than being wowed by graphics, this will likely be infinitely preferable.

Not only is the admin screen easy to use, but it also covers an impressively wide spread of options. Here you’ll find menus governing basic site and admin settings, locations, categories, member lists and item listings, feedback, billing details and even your ad banners. It doesn’t get much more comprehensive than that.

The ad settings is a nice touch though, and allows you to further monetise your auction site with ease. Built-in ad management support will ensure that all your usual ad sense banners and text ads will run just fine, and can be neatly integrated into the streamlined auction window.

Any trouble with the script at all, and you’ll be able to make use of a free technical support service offered through the Softbiz site.

Finally, you’ll find that this script will encourage subscribers by providing an RSS feed that keeps your users up to date with all the latest listings; and these can also be tailored to offer a category-specific feed.

Conclusion

You can pick up your own copy of Auction Script directly from the Softbiz site, where it retails at $149.00.