Running An Online Auction

[Riverwoman]

If I was to run an online auction, what would I need to do? I want to have my own site, specifically dedicated to native items only.

Any ideas or answers

[Messiah Knight]

Your getting in deep here lol. I'll do my best to help, I've never ran an online auction, but have found out some info on it.


To run a big one, such as Ebay for example (Just using the top dog as an example here), you need to be liscensed, as well as have some sort of insurance for big bids (I'd say over 150 bucks). Also, you'll need proof that your auction is legit, which means you may have to get it registered as a buisness. As far as web design goes, if you want a big one, you'll need to purchase a domain name (example: www.indianebay.com), if your not really good with web design, you'll need to get that way, or pay someone to do it professionally. You'll have to have unlimited Bandwith on your site no doubt, my guess would be around 30 dollars a month or so to get the domain, unlimited bandwith, and such. Then, you'll have to keep a close eye on it, make sure no one is trying to sell anything that shouldn't be sold. Find sites that will sponsor your link/banner (I could do a banner for you if ya wanted, I'm good with Photoshop), Cause without clients, you have no auction site.


Now for just a small one, my advice would be.

www.angelfire.com (with popup killer code)

You'll have to find a free code, probally java which will work auctions and such, or you could even do auctions over a message board, but that would be real sloppy, and hard to manage.

You still need a banner/link on several websites in the topic, which in this case would be indian sites, Powwows.com, etc. That way people know about you, and start comming there, and you build yourself a little cult community so to speak.

It would be hard, but possible.

[Riverwoman]

Originally posted by GrayWolf
Your getting in deep here lol. I'll do my best to help, I've never ran an online auction, but have found out some info on it.


To run a big one, such as Ebay for example (Just using the top dog as an example here), you need to be liscensed, as well as have some sort of insurance for big bids (I'd say over 150 bucks). Also, you'll need proof that your auction is legit, which means you may have to get it registered as a buisness. As far as web design goes, if you want a big one, you'll need to purchase a domain name (example: www.indianebay.com), if your not really good with web design, you'll need to get that way, or pay someone to do it professionally. You'll have to have unlimited Bandwith on your site no doubt, my guess would be around 30 dollars a month or so to get the domain, unlimited bandwith, and such. Then, you'll have to keep a close eye on it, make sure no one is trying to sell anything that shouldn't be sold. Find sites that will sponsor your link/banner (I could do a banner for you if ya wanted, I'm good with Photoshop), Cause without clients, you have no auction site.


Now for just a small one, my advice would be.

www.angelfire.com (with popup killer code)

You'll have to find a free code, probally java which will work auctions and such, or you could even do auctions over a message board, but that would be real sloppy, and hard to manage.

You still need a banner/link on several websites in the topic, which in this case would be indian sites, Powwows.com, etc. That way people know about you, and start comming there, and you build yourself a little cult community so to speak.

It would be hard, but possible.

Thanks! *whewf* That would be alot but it could be done;)

[Paul G]

To host something like that you would need a lot of bandwidth, and with that you would need alot of server power. Most shared hosting accounts only let you use so much of the server before they force you to a dedicated server. PowWows.com went to a dedicated server a couple of years back. That gets much more expense.

And he also mentioned you need the software. There are lots of packages out there to do online auctions though. Probably cost a couple hundred bucks for the software.

[Riverwoman]

Originally posted by Paul G
To host something like that you would need a lot of bandwidth, and with that you would need alot of server power. Most shared hosting accounts only let you use so much of the server before they force you to a dedicated server. PowWows.com went to a dedicated server a couple of years back. That gets much more expense.

And he also mentioned you need the software. There are lots of packages out there to do online auctions though. Probably cost a couple hundred bucks for the software.

Hola, I will definately have to investigate this further! Thanks for the info yall:D

[Paul G]

Good luck, but I would be an uphill battle against Ebay.

[Messiah Knight]

Recently Ebay made me very angry....You see, I went on to bid on an old game for my mother, only to find my account has been suspended cause I "Did somthing" wrong. The thing is, I haven't been on Ebay in over 5 months, and last thing I bid on, I payed and all, when I asked, they wouldn't even give me details. I could just make another account, but if you mess with me like that, Im through, so to heck with Ebay....If you start an auction site, I'll do what I can to help you out, finding your software for free (Dont ask how), and whatever else I can do, and I will promote the heck out of your site at all costs, I'm a member of alot of boards, and have alot of friends with websites with alot of traffic, so I'll do all I can.


:D


(ty Paul btw, I forgot to add a server to the cost, and such.)

[Riverwoman]

For something that intense, I would most likely have to "use it or have it" as a home business. Then I could apply for loan, and I would be able to get system, business licence, etc... hmmmmm!