Providing All The Services You Will Ever Need

We Are Your All In One Service Provider in All Things Digital

At Auctioneer Software, we take pride in being more than just a software provider. We are a comprehensive solution for all your website development and creative needs. Our goal is to help you build better software and create a cohesive brand identity that resonates with your audience.

When it comes to website design and development, we understand the importance of making a lasting impression. Our team of skilled professionals is well-versed in creating visually stunning and user-friendly websites that capture the essence of your business. We specialize in WordPress development, harnessing its power and flexibility to bring your unique vision to life. With a wide array of customizable plug-ins at our disposal, we can tailor your website to meet your specific requirements.

But our services don’t stop at website design. We also excel in providing all your printed graphics needs, ensuring consistency and professionalism across all your marketing collateral. From eye-catching business cards to attention-grabbing yard signs, we can create a complete range of materials that showcase your brand identity. Our expertise extends to letterheads, brochures, and any other printed items you may require to promote your business effectively.

We understand that juggling multiple vendors for your creative needs can be time-consuming and overwhelming. That’s why Auctioneer Software strives to be your one-stop shop, streamlining the entire process for you. By consolidating your website development and graphic design requirements under one roof, we save you valuable time and effort, allowing you to focus on what you do best—running your business.

Our commitment to building better software extends to every aspect of our services. We employ the latest industry standards and best practices to ensure that your website is not only visually appealing but also secure and optimized for performance. We aim to exceed your expectations at every turn with our attention to detail and dedication to customer satisfaction.

Whether you’re just starting your business or looking to revamp your existing online presence, Auctioneer Software is here to help. Contact us today to discuss your needs, and let us be your trusted partner in building a strong and cohesive brand identity through exceptional website development and graphic design services. Together, we can build better software and propel your business to new heights.

Let's Chat About Your Business services

On Site Auction Software Development

Auctioneer Software is proud to be a company that offers on site auction software development and will work alongside of you and your business providing true service & a partnership that is not only trustworthy but can last a lifetime. We at Auctioneer Software make it our goal to provide service to our clients that many other companies cannot. It’s our pleasure to be able to offer an on-site development team, a no wait ticket response, on site assistance ready, and personal/knowledgeable customer service.

Read more below about why each of these perks is important for you and your company.

On Site Development Team

We have cut out the middle man…with on site developers that are working on your project regularly, we can ensure that your auction business is being taken care of with minimal hassle and in the most efficient amount of time. Our developers are familiar with our clients, they know exactly how to carry a project to completion once started with us.

No "Wait Ticket" Response

We have staff ready to take your call & make sure than anything you might need implemented into your software, changed, adjusted, looked at, or helped with. You don’t have to wait in a long line or list of other people that need help. We will make sure you get the attention you need for your auction software to work effortlessly. It’s our pleasure to make sure that our clients are well taken care of.

Knowledgeable & Personal Customer Service

We want to make sure that your auction business can flourish and it’s our job to provide you with the tools to make sure that happens. We have multiple individuals ready to assist you with any questions, concerns, or possible issues that you might run into. We are happy to help in any way that we possibly can, making sure that you leave the conversation with confidence that you are in the right hands.

On Site Assistance

Are you launching with your new custom auction software and want us there for reassurance? You got it! We are willing and able to provide staff to our customers who need a hand to hold through bits & pieces of the process. We have traveled many places over the United States to ensure that our customers have the best help that they can.

Be Our Next Partner In Success!

Responding to Negative Reviews & Managing Your Reputation

Reputation Management: Do I have to respond to negative reviews?

Negative reviews! What do I do?

Maybe it’s best if I just ignore it. After all, “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.” So…I’ll just pretend I never saw this negative review and move on. After all, how much can it really hurt me?

Why We Dread Them

When we see a negative review. Usually, our first response is one of anger or fear.

Some (most?) of us have difficulty as to how to handle or react to criticism.
The negative review contains dubious information that you know isn’t true.
The claims are exaggerated.
Our entire livelihood could be at stake depending on how far the review reaches in both the online world and by “word of mouth”.

Once we’ve acknowledged why this scenario is happening, then the next step is how to respond.

Why Responding Is Better Than Sweeping Them Under the Rug

Whether the negative review appears on Google, Facebook, Yelp, etc., it’s critical for you to respond – and do so as soon as possible – once you’re no longer angry or “afraid”, that is. Whether positive or negative, reviews generate interest in your company and influence visibility in Google’s as well as Yelp’s local search results and internal rankings according to Miriam Ellis. If you’re still not convinced, Adrienne Weissman sites the following statistics:

“A total of 70% of Americans look at reviews before they make a purchase according to an American Lifestyles report…even the negative ones.”
“In fact, buyers who seek out negative reviews are 67% more likely to convert to a purchase than an average customer, according to a Revoo study.”
“You might not think that’s the kind of attention you want to share. However, 68% of people trust a company’s reviews more when they see bad ones mixed in with the good. That expresses the reality of most products – not every product is good for everyone.”

In addition to your rankings, responding to negative reviews gives you the opportunity to improve your reputation by demonstrating your ability to resolve complaints successfully. In turn, this can increase your revenue by influencing those 70% potential customers who make their purchases contingent on what they read in the reviews. Finally, if you don’t respond at all, you give the perception that you just don’t care.

How To Respond to Those Bad Reviews

Of course, how you respond is going to be based on the mistakes, problem, and/or issues that the customer is referring to. In spite of whether the customer is right or wrong (remember the old adage that “The customer is always right.”), make the offer as to how you can best rectify their particular complaint. Usually, most rational people understand and recognize that “no one’s perfect”. Once a problem has been solved, follow up as to whether they are now satisfied. If their response is positive, ask them if they would consider either editing what they had written previously or remove it altogether. The following are just some of the ways to respond.

Respond immediately (once you’ve calmed down) with a polite apology.
Listen and show empathy, and then ask how you correct the problem.
Acknowledge genuine mistakes, and then explain how you’re going to resolve the issues.
When appropriate, have supporting content ready to verify your response.
Always respond professionally, calmly, and courteously.
Make your answers “short and “sweet”.
Even if they get personal, don’t respond the same way.
Be consistent in how you respond.
Sometimes…there’s just not a good response so just thank the customer for their input.
Always keep in mind that your response will be read by your current and future customers.
Have someone review your response before posting it.
Follow up once the issue has been resolved, and then ask them to change or remove the negative review.
It’s simply the polite thing to do.
But…always respond.

How NOT to Respond to Bad Reviews

On the other hand, there are several ways in which you shouldn’t respond.

Don’t be defensive.
Don’t answer while you’re still angry or upset.
Don’t try to make a joke out of the situation.
Don’t use sarcasm.
Don’t debate the issue online or in public.
Don’t post or make argumentative comments.
Don’t ignore or not respond.

How Negative Reviews Can Be GOOD

As paradoxical as it sounds, negative reviews can be good. As we noted above, these reviews can increase the authenticity of your business as well as your trustworthiness. Additionally, they give you more insight about your customers as well as an opportunity to learn more about your business. They can help you identify your problems and what kind of improvements you can start working on. This can be valuable input that you can turn into an advantage.

Increases the authenticity of your company.
Maintains your trustworthiness.
Gives additional insight about your customers.
Offers you an opportunity to access your weaknesses and address them.
Provides valuable information about your company.

Sources:

“Fearless Review Management: Defining a Dominant Yelp User”, Miriam Ellis

“How to Respond to Positive and Negative Reviews”, Joshua Baker

“The Positive Side of a Negative Review”, Adrienne Weissman

Visiting Auctions to Build Better Software

Visiting Auctions to Build Better Auction Software

At Auctioneer Software, our mission is to build better software that caters to the unique needs of various industries, including the livestock auction industry. We understand that our clients’ success is paramount, and we strive to provide them with top-notch solutions that enhance their operations.

Recently, we had an amazing opportunity to visit the Shipshewana livestock auction, where our software is being utilized. It was a fantastic chance for us to witness firsthand how our software is making a positive impact on their day-to-day activities. We believe that engaging with our clients in their work environments is invaluable, as it allows us to gain insights and understand their specific requirements better.

During our visit, we were impressed by the hardworking individuals who rely on our software to streamline their auction processes. Witnessing the software in action reinforced our commitment to building better auction software that caters to the ever-changing needs of the industry. We value the feedback and experiences of our clients, as they play a crucial role in driving our innovation and improvement.

To ensure that you have the best auction software experience, we encourage you to consider Auctioneer Software. Our dedication to continuous improvement means that we constantly enhance our software, incorporating new features and benefits that you may not have experienced with your current solution. We understand that every auction is unique, and our customizable software can be tailored to fit your specific requirements.

We invite you to take advantage of our free 30-day trial, allowing you to experience firsthand how our software can revolutionize your auction processes. Don’t settle for anything less than software that works as hard as you do. Contact us today and let Auctioneer Software be your trusted partner in building a more efficient and successful auction business.

See Why We Build Better Auction Software

Interested in Online Auction Software for Your Business?

Contact Us today for a free 30 day trial!

Multi-Parcel Simulcast Debuts at 2017 Conference & Show

2017 Conference & Show | Columbus Ohio

Real Estate auctions are becoming an increasing part of the real estate markets. We hear every day the many creative ways auctioneers use the auction method of carrying out the sale of each of these unique properties. With the ever-changing industry, it is important that the tools to carry out these endeavors are developed and updated along with it – like Multi-Parcel Simulcast software!

It was our pleasure to exhibit at the 2017 NAA Conference & Show this past month in Columbus, OH. It was a perfect venue to introduce and demo our Multi Parcel Auction platform.

Kurt Kaptein, President of Spectrum Net Designs says “It has become clear that due to the complexity of this type of auction, it is not the first piece of an auction providers software portfolio that get the attention. We saw a need and we believe that we have fulfilled it”.

The multi-parcel option has been brought to a new level with the introduction of this online method. Not only will it take care of the typical ballroom scenario but it also includes the ability for the bidders to bid online in conjunction with your live audience. A multi-par simulcast is what we call it.

The software made its debut last month as it was used to sell 4,000 acres in 31 parcels with at least 2.5 million dollars of real estate being sold to the online bidder. You may ask: Is this all there is to it? Kurt Kaptein says “We will continue to develop this software based on feedback from auctioneers who use it. There is not anything like it on the market that gives you the ability to include online bidders with the live ball room setting, so we are blazing a trail”.

At the 2017 Conference & Show one of the messages was that our industry cannot afford to stand still; this is the message that the auction industry providers need to heed as well. Continue to provide truly dynamic products to the industry. We believe the auctioneers will be served best by it.

For a demo of the software, you can visit www.auctioneersoftware.com and request that a free demo be setup for you.

The Dreaded Website Re-Design Process and What to Embrace Part 2

The Dreaded Website Redesign Process and What to Embrace Part 2

Embrace your Website Redesign Process and Everything it Brings to your Image

So you are in the midst of your website redesign process and you need direction on how to get the most productivity and effective processes to ensure a successful project. Continuing from Tuesday, we are moving into the interview, pre-design, and development to post-launch phases of your project. Keeping on task is very important and even in some instances, going three steps forward and one step back isn’t a bad situation, as long as the continual progression of the project is moving there is no right or wrong path – unless you are moving nowhere.

Interview and Pre-Design

Step 6: Interviewing Prospective Designers

Now if you are a company that has an onsite employee building this for you, then your website redesign process is a little easier. They know your business and you have unlimited access to them. If you are the other percentage who have to hire the website out to a web development firm, then this will be invaluable information for you to retain.

Assign this to two people minimum but more if your project calls for it. Call and talk to a few different website development firms and ask them the following:

How long have they been in business?
Do they have a reference list available?
Location isn’t important these days so this is a mute question, especially if you used Google to find them
Do they do all of the work in-house or subcontract it out? In-house work is the best way to follow less delays and complications can occur
Will you have a central contact/project manager?
Is the site easy to edit yourselves and is there training included?
Who will insert all of the website pictures and information initially?
Do they provide mockups or idea boards for the project with color choices?
Ask about their design process and revisions process, everyone is different, but the basic idea is to get a proof design first and then build it out after customer approval
Will the website be mobile-friendly/responsive?
How long is their waiting list currently? Most designers will be able to start within a couple of weeks or less.
Do they offer content writing services and logo design if you want your logo updated?
What is included in the cost?
Is this a templated design or a custom design? You want to stand out from the crowd with a unique design
Do they offer search engine optimization services? What is that cost?
Do you offer hosting and email services? What is the cost? Most companies will offer hosting but there are a few that don’t, so better be safe than sorry and plan ahead
What kind of customer support is available? Is it a free or paid service?
Does the company provide a backup service? What is included, and how often is it backed up?
Discuss your findings at the weekly meeting to see which two you will set an appointment with to meet the team and make sure you are a good fit to work together. If location is an issue don’t put it aside, set a video meeting, it is still an effective way to meet the team of people who you will be working with. The more you are vested in the project the better it will turn out.

Design and Development Process

Step 7: Proof it's Done (well sort of)

Now is the time that you will want to provide the contacts for the specific phases of the project to the development team you hired for your website development process. Each phase should have one point of contact – even if it is the same as the entire project – list it for them.

So now you are ready for the design. You’ve met with your designer and went over your team’s research and analysis and are awaiting your first proof for the design.

The design team will mock up a few designs and after the proof is delivered
Don’t be shy, make changes as needed at your weekly meeting with the team
Obtain another proof and do this until you have an approved proof to work with and build out, because once this is done, it could add more money to make changes later

Now the developers will build out your pages, by now you should have been told to start gathering information!

images (make sure they are the right size and resolution for the design)
videos (what platforms will you utilize and do you need to create an account?)
content (schedules, calendars, staff information, blog posts, etc.)
and text for the website (new or old content re-organized for the new site)

So, when the pages are ready the developer can keep momentum going and build out the pages.

Your developer should have provided you with a link to watch development as it happens, but don’t fall into the spell of watching minute by minute, it will drive you crazy, let them do their work and check in periodically. But this advantage helps to keep everyone on track and keep accountability in order.

You should be meeting frequently with your developer to continue adding content until the project is finished.

Race for the Finish: Pre-Launch

Step 8: .......3,2,1 Blast Off

Even if your developer has ensured on his end these are done, it’s always a good idea to have a second pair of eyes on these elements to make sure launch day goes off without a hitch, plus gives you peace of mind.

Domain is purchased and set up
Check the site display in the new location when moved to the launch server
Make sure all dummy text is replaced
The site is proof-read and the content is formatted properly
Ensure the search engine optimization and submission is complete if applicable to your services
No broken images or videos
If you are setting up your own perma-links, check to make sure they work properly
No broken links and all links are checked for directions to proper pages and websites
Cross-browser compatibility is checked
Mobile responsiveness is tested
404 Errors and 301 re-directions for old pages are setup
Forms on the website are tested and emailed to the correct individuals.
Ensure that your Google Analytics code snippet is installed
and Webmaster Tools have been verified
Subscription and newsletter signup forms work properly
Social platform links are set up and are linked to the correct URLs
Ensure initial search optimization is on the site, even if it will change next month it’s a start

IT’S FINALLY LAUNCH DAY

Launch day is an exciting day for many, the development team, the company, and the employees. Everyone has put hours and hours into making this website redesign the best it can be and everyone wants to make sure it goes off without a hitch. Here are a few items to check off and make sure are done and ready when you push it out.

For the development team:

Point domain to new directory – DNS/MX records are all pointed in the right direction
Copy site data and database to the new location for launch – make sure to text plugins, apps, and other applications to ensure working properly
Email addresses are created and tested on the client side
Delete old and unneeded files, databases, and sub-domains
Set up user accounts for clients.
Update your admin password for security
Enable the sitemap on the site if not already done
Make sure the site is crawlable for the search engines

For the company, here are a few tips to remember:

Developers are not God, they can’t ensure 100% of issues are resolved until the site goes live and tested.
Have patience when the developers are launching the website, sometime the procurement of the files can take 15 minutes to a few hours to push live for the first time.
Plan to launch on a Friday, when there is less traffic on a weekend, and you can work out kinks easier without a lot of traffic interfering.
Make sure you aren’t near any large events or holidays where traffic could be more substantial, again to make sure you can work through any kinks and issues without the public audience.
Social platform posts are ready to announce your launch – but don’t schedule those out for the day of the launch! Normally you will want to wait 7-10 days to make sure all is well with the site and it’s been tested properly.
Sit back and relax. Enjoy the product of your hard work.

Post Launch

For the Development Team:

Setup a backup solution
Verify backups are working
Install Anti-spam solution
Implement login protection and test
Compile documentation (domain renewal, database, logins, passwords, ftp credentials, c panel information, plugins renewal, etc.)
Update portfolio
Transfer site payments to clients unless you are managing them

For the Company:

Prepare weekly articles for your blog, line up guest posts
Find interesting topics and memes to support your marketing and website launch.
Prepare weekly/daily posts for your social platforms
Watch your analytics courtesy of Google and Bing, and see your audience activity and engagement
The first month tends to be difficult for seo efforts due to testing and launching your statistics will be high and variable from the launch.
Month two has a better grasp of your audience and their activity
Put an SEO/SEM campaign together

CONGRATULATIONS! You have made it through the long journey of your new website re-design!

When working with a development company, just keep in mind that we can’t predict technological advances, but we can keep up with the buzzing of possible new innovations, while planning a strategy so that when a new technology does arise, we can transition with ease and excitement. That is our business, leading design, top-of-the-industry software design, and of course superior custom programming, and that makes us the best at what we do. It is our business to be flexible and focus on our clients with assurance and anticipation.

Do you think you are on the right track? If you would like help with your project, Contact Us!

What to Embrace with the Dreaded Website Redesign Process Part 1

Website Redesign Process Checklist

And it’s here again, the time to take on the project of your company’s website redesign, and you are so nominated for the task of overseeing the process. The process of a website redesign is an important task. This will be the part of the company some or most clients, vendors, and suppliers might see before anything else, and it is important to make a good impression. Because impressions are everything and not just first impressions; the impression of a company on many levels. From community involvement to supporting organizations, fundraisers, and sister companies the way you do business and the way you show it will make or break your company’s image.

Here is an easy step-by-step to follow to get you started on your website redesign project. At the end of this blog, you should be able to lay out your rough project outline, project timeline, new website sitemap, rough data, and approximate launch date.

Research and Analyze

Step 1: The Team

Teamwork is key here. The team should consist of many people with different roles and responsibilities. Depending on how large your company and website are – this could range from 3-6 people or more if needed.

Develop a team that will have decision-making abilities. Have a phased plan laid out with responsibilities and tasks.
Have a weekly meeting with progress and updates, at the same time and day each week for consistency in scheduling.
Decide what is the objective of this project. What do you want to accomplish and get out of the new website?
What will determine a successful project? Does this include leads and conversions or just traffic views and clicks?

Step 2: What is the Budget?

The budget for your website can determine a lot about the project. This will set the tone for the project. This aspect will govern if you can expand the website this time around, and how much you can take on with the re-design. Always set time aside to visit this before and during the project. If something comes up during the midst of the project, you want the opportunity to discuss this more in-depth and create a plan of action to address it.

What is the total budget for the project? Who sets that budget?
Are there any limits that should be discussed?
Is this the entire budget, or are there funds set aside for mishaps?
Is there a deadline for a launch date?

Step 3: Current Website

You can tell a lot about a person or company from their website. Are they fun and laid back, or more conformed and by-the-books type of company and people? The project aspects to consider before moving forward; do you like the current page layouts, is the amount of content you have and/or need to add to the budget? This is the point where you can start to lay out the pages of your new site into a sitemap. Click here for a step-by-step tutorial

Other things to consider when laying out plans for a website:

What features or design is liked about the current site?
What features or design isn’t liked about the current site?
What are the current site strengths?
What are the current site opportunities?
What are the current site weaknesses?
What features would you like to see on the new site?
Is your current site size up to date with standard screen resolutions of 1024 x 768?
Is your current site mobile-friendly and does it have a mobile responsive design? Will your new site be mobile-friendly?

Step 4: Competition and Strategy

You can see a lot from a competitor’s website. While most say spying isn’t nice, the better phrase is to keep your friends close and your competition closer. It is definitely not a bad thing to keep an eye out on your competition, it allows you to see what’s going on in your market and improve where you see fit.

Look at your top 4 competitors and list their strengths, weaknesses and opportunities, to see where your current site lies, and where you want to be.
1. Get inspiration for new marketing opportunities and marketing strategies.
2. See what your market and competition are doing and if you can rise higher.
3. Look under the hood of their search engine marketing and optimization and what you can use, especially if they are high on the search engines. Even if they have bad rankings, it might be something you are doing as well and need to stop.

While you’re scoping out the competition, utilize these free tools to see even more.

Alexa – Monitoring Traffic.
Google – Analytics & Search Console.
SEMRush – free tracking and analysis tool (the other tools are paid subscriptions).
BuzzSumo – a great resource to understand what type of content is ranking well across the internet.

Step 5: Changes and Additions

New additions and changes to your current site should be inevitable! Why? Because every business experiences changes, and hopefully growth as well. From new products and services, merging of a company, printed material, new or updated pdfs on your website, new and old employees and possibly a new image/brand such as a new logo and colors. Everything affects your website, so be sure to look at other websites – they don’t have to be in your industry. But you will be surprised to see what features you like on other sites that you might want incorporated into your website.

Other aspects to consider:

Is the logo good or do we need to update the look, colors, ect?
Do you have the vector files for your logo?
Do you know how certain colors affect clients in different regions and views? Click here to view related articles.
Are you going to use the current images on the new site or obtain new larger images? Learn how to use large images like a pro!
What colors will you use on the website?
Are their approved company colors? Are they specific hex, RBG, or CYMK?
What colors do you want to stay clear of?
Is there a specific size website you wanted? Discuss this with your designer.
Are you going to include videos on the website?
Is optimization of videos included?
What video platforms to utilize?
Have accounts been created or who is in charge of that?
New content for the website or utilize the old content and/or revise? Who will provide this?
Decide how many pages and what pages you will need in the new design. The easiest way is to create a chart showing the pages and their relationships between them to see if your site layout is efficient.
Try your hand at creating a sitemap for your project. Click here for a step-by-step tutorial
Ensure with your designer that the site will be mobile-responsive for all devices.

To be continued....stay tuned for part 2 of this article: The Interview to Post Launch Checklist: The Race to the Finish Line! Do you think you are on the right track? If you would like help with your website redesign project, Contact Us!

More Than Auction Software!

We Are Driven By Your Motivation!

When you are looking for a company to work with you on your auction software – you want more than dedicated software developers! You need a team of professionals working together for the bigger picture. One thing I’ve learn with 10 years in the business, you always need more! Whether more ads, more graphic design, more motivation, or more content. We take everything into account and create a focus for your success.

When we build your custom auction website, we give you more than a template, more than duplicate content and colors, than hundreds of other sites out there utilizing the same look. Auctioneer Software and Spectrum Net Designs will work with you to build a custom auction website with your BRAND. We want your site to be visually appealing, easy to use interface, and friendly for your customers to find you on search engines.

We have a marketing program that you can utilize to get the most out of your marketing dollars. The customer must be pointed in your direction and we can help with search engine optimization. Auctioneer Software can get your auction on the way to success with mobile development and app development as well. Contact us today to learn more….

Search Engine Optimization

Businesses need to stay at the forefront of their customers’ minds and remain in front of them by being at the top of the search engines. This will help your business to continue to run smoothly and keep new customers coming through your doors or on your website on a regular basis. Learn More

Website Design & Development

Custom website design means that your website will be developed to meet your users’ specific needs. And since you know your users’ requirements best, we will work closely with you to customize your website from start to finish with your customers in mind. Learn More

E-commerce and Shopping Carts

Would you like more information on how to start the process of having your own e-commerce store with a FREE Consultation? Click Here to Contact Us .

Blog Setup & Management

Keeping your website updated with fresh content is very important when it comes to visitors as well as to the search engines. (Making sure your site is easily found in online searches is called Search Engine Optimization or SEO.) Both visitors and search engines like to see a website that is being constantly updated and consistently writing a blog accomplishes this purpose. Learn More

Mobile Website Development

This process involves developing your website in a way so that it will automatically fit properly to the device that is being used to view it. Learn More

What To Know Before Choosing an E-Commerce Website Developer

What You Don’t Know Might Hurt You?

December 2, 2016
7:30 am

So, you’ve been in business for a while now but now you are ready to take your business to the next level and start selling your products and services online. You need to find a developer that you can work with to build an E-commerce website that you can trust and make sure that you can feel comfortable knowing that the developer is doing a proper job. If you aren’t of the technical nature and haven’t built a website before, this task can be difficult to be able to hire a qualified developer and ask questions. But we can help you with some tips so you can get a better idea of what a qualified E-Commberce Web Developer looks like.

Here are some tips to remember before you decide on an E-Commerce Website Developer!

Never go with the first developer you interview or talk to. Setup appointments with 3-4 companies that you’ve called and feel comfortable with over the phone, you can get a great first impression by a simple phone call. You can gauge how helpful they are and if they are vested in developing a business relationship.
Please don’t use an independent or college developer who hasn’t had real-world experience or if they do anything on the side, buyer beware, there are scammers everywhere and because they are individuals they can disappear as fast as they appear- there is nothing holding them to your arrangements or a company to back them.
If you are technically challenged or never have set up a website or e-commerce website, ask around you, those who have, and ask them what you should know. You can also Google it and come up with a good list of questions to ask, the developer should be able to answer all your questions without a problem, if they can’t, that is a red flag in my book.
Make sure you have a written contract with terms so that you have a paper trail of your arrangements, that way you have your company’s best interest in order.
Never pay your developer the entire project up front, they might ask for a deposit and that is fine, but buyers beware if they require the entire project upfront. You will lose your ability to be in the driver’s seat for the development or if something goes wrong you have leverage.

So now you are ready to interview the developers you’ve chosen to meet with for your e-commerce website.

Do you know what you are going to talk about or ask them? Are you bringing a qualified or technical co-worker or friend with you who knows the business, if you aren’t you should! You want to maximize the meeting by digging into the site from the start so everyone knows the direction you want out of this project. Bring a spreadsheet with your ideas and features that you’ve seen on other websites that you want. I always let clients know to find features and graphics on other websites and print them off so their vision is clear.

Ask to see a portfolio of websites and e-commerce websites.
How long have they been building e-commerce websites?
Do they have a list of references you can see or call?
What other services can they provide? Graphic design, logo design, merchant services, email, hosting services, search engine optimization services, etc…
What is their process for the design and development, is there a development site to watch?
What are the terms and conditions of the project? What are the payment terms, use of the project for portfolio, rights to the website, hosting terms, are their maintenance terms or fees, monthly SEO fees, etc….?

What are a list of other fees for everything I need for my e-commerce site? Merchant fees, SSL certificate fees (annually), domain name fees (annually), hosting fees (monthly or annually), etc…?
Do they have a specific platform they use or are they building it custom, is it licensed to them or your company?
Do they release the files or coding to your company, or is it owned by them? Can you move the site to other hosting service companies?
Will your new e-commerce site be mobile-friendly and responsive to those who live on their phones?
Will you be able to manage (add, edit, delete) products, and is training included in the cost?

Final Thoughts...

Building an e-commerce website is a lot of work and there are a lot of options out there. Do your research, ask questions, and take your time with the process, your website will be ready to launch in no time with minimal issues arising. Most of all make sure that the developer you choose will make your goals happen. This is your website, so make sure you are able to provide a clear definition of what you are looking for so you can end up with what you truly want. Figure out what you want so you can tell your developer clearly what your looking for, it’ll make it easier to be on the same page.

Check out our custom web development services!

Happy Marketing!

Mobile First Indexing is Coming

Mobile First Indexing is Coming!

Google’s mobile first indexing of your websites mobile version

Evolution of indexing mobile websites will take priority over desktop versions.

You have probably been hearing about a new feature that Google has been buzzing around the
internet called Mobile First Indexing. Today it was announced and it is officially going to be migrated slowly into their system in the close future. “most people are searching on Google using a mobile device. However, our ranking systems still typically look at the desktop version of a page’s content to evaluate its relevance to the user. This can cause issues when the mobile page has less content than the desktop page because our algorithms are not evaluating the actual page that is seen by a mobile searcher.” (Google)

Here are a few recommendations to help webmasters prepare as Google moves towards a more mobile-focused index.

1. If you have a responsive site or a dynamic serving site where the primary content and markup is equivalent across mobile and desktop, you shouldn’t have to change anything.

2. If you have a site configuration where the primary content and markup is different across mobile and desktop, you should consider making some changes to your site.

3. Make sure to serve structured markup for both the desktop and mobile version.

4. Sites can verify the equivalence of their structured markup across desktop and mobile by typing the URLs of both versions into the Structured Data Testing Tool and comparing the output.

5. When adding structured data to a mobile site, avoid adding large amounts of markup that isn’t relevant to the specific information content of each document.

6. Use the txt testing tool to verify that your mobile version is accessible to Google-bot.

7. Sites do not have to make changes to their canonical links; we’ll continue to use these links as guides to serve the appropriate results to a user searching on desktop or mobile.

8. If you are a site owner who has only verified their desktop site in Search Console, please add and verify your mobile version. If you only have a desktop site, we’ll continue to index your desktop site just fine, even if we’re using a mobile user agent to view your site.

Read the entire article here.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Auctioneer Software! We hope you have a wonderful holiday! Wishing you every happiness this Holiday Season and throughout the coming year!

It has been 17 years since we opened the doors of Spectrum Net Designs, Inc. Over these years, the Lord has blessed us with many clients, trustworthy employees, and an environment that allows us to be thankful for everything that we have been given. In this season of the year, it is important that we look back over the past years and give thanks for all that the Lord has given us.

We thank Him for bringing us in contact with you, our clients, and the many opportunities we have had over the past years to service your needs. We also look ahead, trusting Him that he will be with us in the years to come as we serve him in everything that we do.

As we gather together at Auctioneer Software to celebrate this special Thanksgiving, our hearts are brimming with gratitude. We are immensely thankful for the unwavering support of our incredible team and the trust and confidence our clients place in us every day. This year has been a journey of growth, collaboration, and achievement, and it wouldn’t have been possible without each and every one of you. Together, we’ve faced challenges head-on and celebrated triumphs, creating a tapestry of shared experiences that make us stronger as a company. With hearts full of thanks, we look forward to the opportunities that lie ahead, knowing that we are a team capable of achieving greatness. Happy Thanksgiving to the Auctioneer Software family!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING FROM ALL OF US

Kurt Kaptein	Laura Kaptein	Brandon Kaptein
Shannan DuShane	Kelly Kaptein	Sandy Kooiman
Andrew Prins	Joe Schlaf	Craig Spencer
Rory Acker	Steve Cordrey	Kris Thompson
Chris Kolkman	Josh Tibbets	Scott Hurn

View more newsletters on our Newsletter Page!

2016 NAA International Auctioneer Championship

Beth Rose, TJ Freije win 2016 NAA International Auctioneer Championship

Both will serve as NAA ambassadors for the next 12 months.

IAC Winners — Images courtesy of NAA. Copyright NAA 2017

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (July 22, 2016) – Emerging from an overall field of 94 competitors, Beth Rose, of Maumee, Ohio, and TJ Freije, of Clayton, Indiana, were crowned as winners of the women’s and men’s National Auctioneers Association 29th International Auctioneer Championship, which took place Friday at the DeVos Place Convention Center. Both Rose, CAI, AARE, and Freije, CAI, received a $5,000 cash award, trophy and championship ring for their winning efforts through the preliminary bid-calling round, an interview round consisting of three questions, and a final round of bid-calling that included the top 15 men and seven women. In the two divisions, 74 men and 20 women competed for the right to be known as one of the best auction professionals in the world. Freije had competed in the IAC every year since 2006. He is a third-generation auction professional and won the Indiana state bid-calling championship in 2005. He topped a fiercely competitive overall men’s field and finals group, coming in ahead of runner-up Dustin Rogers, CAI, of Mount Airy, North Carolina, who finished second for the second year in a row and fourth time overall. After turning 21 just last week, 2014 International Junior Auctioneer Championship winner Justin Croy, of Culver, Indiana, finished third. This was the seventh attempt for Rose at winning IAC, with the 20-year NAA member breaking through in the same year that saw her business – Beth Rose Real Estate and Auctions – take Auction Marketing Campaign of the Year in the annual NAA marketing competition. She is a 2000 graduate of the Certified Auctioneers Institute and past recipient of the Rose Award – named after her late father, David Rose. Rose’s daughter, Sarah Rose Bytnar, CAI, AARE, of Naples, Florida, finished runner-up by one-tenth of one pont. Chantel Kimball, CAI, of Eltopia, Washington , took second runner-up. Earlier in the evening, Brooke Gillespie, of Graceville, Minnesota, was crowned as winner of the 2016 International Junior Auctioneer Championship, which features competitors ages 12-18 helps cultivate the next generation of auction professional talent. Also during the IAC competition, which was streamed live throughout the day through auctioneers.org, the Chuck Cumberlin Sp ortsmanship award, awarded to the IAC competitor who shows the best sportsmanship, was given to Myers Jackson, CAI, AARE, ATS, CES, of Jacksonville, Florida. The Bob Steffes Rising Star Award, given to a competitor who shows the potential to win a future IAC title, was given to Jake Yoder, of Port Royal, Pennsylvania. Both the IAC and IJAC were conducted as part of the NAA’s 67th Annual International Auctioneers Conference and Show, which took place in Grand Rapids this past week. IAC contestants must be 18 years of age or older, a current NAA member, and registered for conference. Seven judges score the contest, with final scores determined by combining the interview score (40 percent of the total) and the bid-calling score (60 percent of the total). http://www.auctioneers.org/

MAA 2016 Michigan Auctioneer Champion

Michigan Auctioneer Champion

John Beechy | Michigan Auctioneer Champion 2016

Visit the Michigan Auctioneers Association Website Here

Grand Rapids, Michigan – John Beechy of Napanee, Indiana won the title, Michigan Auctioneer Champion at the Michigan Auctioneer Championship. The Championship was held on February 17 at the Michigan Auctioneers Association Annual Conference held at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel in Grand Rapids. 21 Contestants competed for the coveted title. The 5 Finalists were John Beechy (Nappanee, Ind.), Romayne Graber (Charlotte, Mich), Frank E. Leist (Petoskey, Mich.), Jarron Miller (Huntington, Ind), and Sara Rose (Naples, Fla). For winning the title, John received a championship ring, trophy, and entry into the International Auctioneer Championship in July in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Also taking home honors were Frank E. Leist and Sara Rose. Rose was the 1st runner up and Leist was the 2nd runner up.

John began his auction career in the spring of 2009 after graduating from Reppert Auction School. He joined the Indiana and Michigan Auctioneers Associations shortly thereafter. John is currently traveling 3 to 4 states doing 5 to 7 auction’s per week selling automobiles, real estate, antiques, collector cars and charity auctions. John recently joined the Halderman Real Estate Services team assisting them with their real estate auction side. He also shares his expertise and talents with aspiring new auctioneers as an instructor at Reppert Auction School.

In 2013, John was named the 2013 Indiana Auctioneer Champion. In 2014, he also was named the 2014 Michigan Ringman Champion and now in 2016, the Michigan Auctioneer Champion. When John is not busy doing auctions he enjoys playing golf and spending time on the lake with friends.

John is humbled and honored to be named the 2016 Michigan Champion he looks forward to representing the Michigan Auctioneer Association at the 2016 NAA Conference and Show in Grand Rapids in July.