How to Get More Bids on Your Virtual Auction

Running a virtual silent auction can be a great way to raise funds, but the main hurdle is attracting bidders. With so many online fundraising options, nonprofits need a plan to keep bidders engaged. 

The good news is that online auctions are becoming more popular, and 24% of donors give through them. That means you can really increase support if you know how to engage bidders effectively. 

From setting the right starting bids to promoting items well, small adjustments can lead to more activity. Let’s go over what can maximize bids.

1. Know Your Audience

Understanding who will participate in your virtual auction helps you set the right tone and select items that attract more auction bids. A well-targeted event increases engagement and encourages competitive bidding.

Identify Potential Bidders

Start by looking at past donors, event attendees, and supporters. 

Consider reaching out to board members, local businesses, and community groups that align with your cause. If your nonprofit has hosted an online silent auction before, review bidder data to see who participated and what items drew the most interest. 

Assess Their Interests

Not every item will appeal to every bidder, so think about what your audience values. Look at previous donations and event feedback to spot trends. 

Do they prefer local experiences, exclusive items, or practical goods? If you're working with a broad audience, offer a mix of high-value and affordable items to encourage more participation.

2. Choose Appealing Auction Items

The right items can make a big difference in how many bids your virtual auction receives. People are more likely to bid when they see items that match their interests and feel like a good deal.

Select High-Quality Items

Quality matters more than quantity. Instead of filling your virtual silent auction with too many low-value items, focus on a smaller selection of well-curated options. 

Gift baskets, electronics, and restaurant gift cards are popular choices. Items that are brand new, highly rated, or tied to well-known brands tend to attract more interest.

Offer Unique Experiences

Experiences often generate more bids than physical items. Consider offering private tours, virtual meet-and-greets with experts, or behind-the-scenes access to local attractions. 

If your audience enjoys travel, look into donated vacation stays or exclusive hotel packages. Unique opportunities, like a cooking class with a local chef or a custom art piece, create excitement and encourage competitive bidding.

A mix of high-quality products and one-of-a-kind experiences give bidders more reasons to participate and bid.

3. Set Appropriate Starting Bids and Increments

Pricing plays a big role in how many auction bids your items receive. If starting bids are too high, bidders may not engage. If they’re too low, you risk underselling valuable items. 

Finding the right balance helps keep your online auctions for nonprofit fundraising competitive and successful.

Determine Starting Bids

A good starting bid is typically 30-50% of an item’s fair market value. This gives bidders confidence they are getting a deal while ensuring your nonprofit still raises meaningful funds. 

For high-demand items, you may start lower to encourage bidding wars. However, avoid setting prices too low on exclusive or premium items, as this may signal lower value to bidders.

Establish Bid Increments

Bid increments should be high enough to move bidding along but not so high that they discourage participation. A good rule is to set increments at about 10% of the starting bid. 

For example, if an item starts at $100, a $10 increment keeps bidding active without making the next bid feel like too big of a jump.

Not sure how to set starting prices? Read our expert guide on How To Perfect Starting Bids In Silent Auctions.

4. Choose the BetterWorld’s Auction Platform

The right auction platform can make or break your virtual silent auction. A system that’s easy to use, keeps bidders engaged, and simplifies the auction process can bring in more auction bids and help you raise more for your cause.

BetterWorld makes running an auction simple. 

1. Just upload item photos and descriptions, set your bids, and start promoting. 
2. Bidders place their bids directly on the BetterWorld website. 
3. Once the auction ends, BetterWorld notifies winners, collects payments, and helps coordinate item delivery—taking the stress off your team.

Why Choose BetterWorld?

97% of people who used BetterWorld say they'll use it again! Trusted by more than 100,000 nonprofit organizations.

• 100% Free—No Hidden Fees
• Effortless Setup
  • Upload photos and descriptions
  • Set starting bids and increments
  • Promote your event and start collecting bids
• Bidders Stay Engaged
  • Text Message Notifications 
  • Popcorn Bidding 
• Visually Stunning Auctions
  • Video Integration 
  • Image Library 
• Easy Item Management
  • Copyable Items 
  • Online Item Donation Form 

Not only that, BetterWorld also offers Modern Fundraising Tools and Donation Forms to help you get the most out of your fundraising efforts.

Sign up today and see how easy it is to run a successful online auction for a nonprofit.

5. Promote Your Auction Effectively

A well-run virtual auction needs strong promotion to attract bidders. If people don’t know about your auction, they won’t bid. 

The more you spread the word, the more auction bids you’ll receive. Promotion keeps bidders engaged and creates excitement around your auction items.

How to Promote Your Auction

• Use Email Marketing

Send an announcement to your donor list with auction details. Follow up with reminders as the event gets closer and highlight top items.

• Use Social Media

Share auction updates on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Post sneak peeks of popular items, use countdowns, and encourage followers to share.

• Create a Dedicated Auction Page

A landing page with auction details, item previews, and a direct bidding link makes it easy for supporters to participate.

• Text Message Alerts

Send texts to remind bidders about the auction and notify them if they’ve been outbid. This keeps the competition going.

• Partner with Sponsors and Influencers

Ask local businesses, board members, and influencers to share your auction with their networks.

• Engage Your Supporters

Encourage past donors and volunteers to spread the word. Word-of-mouth marketing is a powerful way to bring in more bidders.

Good promotion ensures your online auctions for nonprofit fundraising get the attention they deserve. The more people who know about your auction, the higher your bids will be.

6. Enhance Bidder Engagement

Keep bidders engaged to get more auction bids. When bidders stay involved, they are more likely to keep competing for items, increasing the success of your virtual silent auction. 

An interactive and exciting auction experience keeps the energy high and encourages more participation.

How to Enhance Bidder Engagement

• Use Real-Time Notifications

Send automatic text or email alerts when bidders are outbid. This keeps them involved and encourages them to place a higher bid.

• Incorporate Popcorn Bidding

Extend bidding time for the most popular items when last-minute bids come in. This prevents bidders from losing items in the final seconds.

• Add Live Video and Livestreaming

Show off key auction items through video previews or host a live auctioneer event to build excitement.

• Make Bidding Easy with Mobile Access

Ensure your platform works well on mobile devices so bidders can participate from anywhere.

• Encourage Friendly Competition

Display leaderboards or top bidder highlights to spark competitive bidding. Recognizing high bidders can encourage others to stay in the game.

7. Ensure Transparent Auction Rules

Clear and fair rules help build trust with bidders. When people feel confident that your virtual auction is well-organized and transparent, they are more likely to place bids. 

If rules are unclear or confusing, some bidders may hesitate to participate.

How to Ensure Transparency

• Clearly List Auction Rules

Make sure bidding rules, item descriptions, payment details, and deadlines are easy to find on your auction page.

• Explain Bidding Increments and Auto-Bidding

Let bidders know how auction bids increase and if they can set automatic bids to stay in the running.

• State Payment and Item Delivery Details

Outline accepted payment methods, when payments are due, and how winners will receive their items.

• Disclose Any Fees or Restrictions

If an item has location-based restrictions or extra costs, be upfront about it so bidders can make informed decisions.

• Set a Clear Closing Time

Display the exact time your auction will end and whether you’re using extended bidding for last-minute bids.

8. Offer Support During the Auction

Good customer support can make a big difference in how smoothly your virtual auction runs. If bidders run into technical issues or have questions about items, they need quick answers to stay engaged. 

A well-supported auction builds trust and encourages more auction bids.

How to Provide Support

• Have a Dedicated Help Contact

Provide an email or chat option for bidders to ask questions about auction rules, item details, or payment issues.

• Offer a FAQ Section

List common questions and answers about bidding, payments, and item delivery to reduce confusion.

• Use Live Chat or a Helpline

If possible, have a live chat or phone line available during peak auction hours to assist bidders in real-time.

• Send Friendly Reminders

Use automated messages to update bidders about the auction timeline, payment deadlines, and last-minute bidding opportunities.

• Provide Clear Instructions for First-Time Bidders

Not everyone has participated in an online silent auction before. A simple step-by-step guide can make it easier for new bidders to join in.

9. Encourage Last-Minute Bidding

The final moments of a virtual auction can bring in the highest number of auction bids. 

Creating urgency makes bidders more likely to place last-minute offers, helping you maximize funds raised. A competitive finish keeps bidders engaged and pushes prices higher.

How to Drive Last-Minute Bids

• Send Outbid Notifications

Use automated text or email alerts to inform bidders they’ve been outbid, encouraging them to act quickly.

• Promote a Countdown on Social Media

Remind supporters when the virtual silent auction is about to close. A live countdown builds excitement and encourages last-minute participation.

• Highlight Popular Items

Feature high-demand auction items in the final hours to draw attention and create competition.

• Offer a Final Bidding Incentive

Consider adding a special thank-you perk for the highest bidders, like early access to future auctions or a small donor recognition gift.

10. Follow Up After the Auction

Your virtual auction doesn’t end when the bidding stops. A strong follow-up helps build lasting relationships with bidders, increasing the chances they’ll participate in future events. 

It also ensures a smooth experience for winners, encouraging them to support your nonprofit again.

How to Follow Up Effectively

• Thank Your Bidders and Donors

Send a personalized thank-you email to bidders, donors, and sponsors. Recognizing their support keeps them engaged in future online auctions for nonprofit fundraising.

• Confirm Payments and Item Delivery

Make sure all payments are processed smoothly and that winners receive their items on time. Clear communication prevents confusion and builds trust.

• Share Auction Results

Let participants know how much was raised and how the funds will be used. A quick update makes supporters feel like they made a real impact.

• Ask for Feedback

Send a short survey to learn what went well and what could be improved. Understanding the bidder experience helps you refine your next virtual silent auction.

• Keep the Connection Alive

Encourage bidders to stay involved with your nonprofit. Invite them to future events, share upcoming fundraising opportunities, and keep them engaged year-round.

A thoughtful follow-up not only wraps up your auction smoothly but also sets the stage for stronger bidder participation in the future.