Auction Manager

The following overview is based on the front and backend management that the site user and site administrator will enjoy.

(NB: The following is the system standard and will be tailored to the specific client requirement)

.: AUCTION MANAGER - Frontend User Area

The Auction Manager software is a fully integrated software package that covers all aspects of buying and selling online.

On entry to the website, site users will have the ability to specify whether they are buying or selling a product.

Buying a product

If the user wishes to buy a product, they will have the ability to use a dynamic search facility which enables the user to search by (Examples Only):

• Category Search
• Sub Category
• Keyword

Once a site user has chosen their preferred search choice the system will direct the user through to the search results page. This page generally consists of a google style pagination facility, page numbers that are available to click as well as a next and previous.

The search results page shows a thumbnail image, title, brief description, cost, more info button and add to cart.

If the user chooses the more information option they will be taken through to the product details page where the user will be able to see the full information regarding the product. The information displayed would be (examples only):

• Main Product Image
• Product Code
• Product Title
• Product Description
• Product Price
• Product Size Options
• Start Date/Time Of Bidding
• End Date/Time Of Bidding
• Bidding History
• Winning Bidder
• Location Of Where Product Is sent From
• Postal Charges

From this point the user will have the ability to enter a bid for the product and the system will direct them through to the customer login screen, if the person has already used the website before they will have the ability to input their username and password, this will ensure they do not have to input their personal details again.

If the user has not shopped with the website before they will be required to enter all the details including a username and password (for future use). Once this has been done the user has the ability to start bidding.

If the user wishes to bid for a product, they simply enter their bidding amount and then wait until the bidding is over to see if they have won the product at which point the website will send an email to the user alerting them that they have either been out-bid and to enter a higher bidding price or that they have won the product. The user can keep entering a higher bidding value up until the bidding time is over.

Once the bidding is over and the user has been alerted that they have won the product, they will have the ability to log back into the system and pay for the item either by cheque or for example by Paypal. Generally the seller will specify how they prefer to be paid.

The system checks the details in real-time, within generally 10 seconds the system will report back to say the amount has been approved or declined.

Based on the users order being approved the system will direct them to a thank you screen and display for them their order number.

As well as this the user will also receive an email confirming their order details and again thanking them.

Selling a product

If a user wishes to use the website to sell a product they will firstly have to sign up to the website and create an account. From this point they will be required to enter a valid debit/credit card and also the details of a current bank account.

Once the user has created their selling account they will have the ability to specify the category of the product they wish to sell (examples only):

• Category Search (and relational sub-category)

From this point the seller will be required to enter a product title and then a product description outlining what the product actually is and what the buyer is bidding for. Once this has been specified the seller will then be able to select their payment method either by cheque or for example Paypal.

The seller will have the ability to enter a bidding cost and if required a reserve price so that the product can’t be undersold. This ensures that if a product does not meet the required price then there is a baseline cost which if not met means the product will not be sold.

Once all the above has been done the seller now has the ability to upload the product image/images.

From this point the seller can specify postal charges and whether the product is for distribution Worldwide or European or UK only. 

User Login & Profiling

Site users will have the ability to signup and create a user account. This facility will alert the user to the benefits of becoming user which will be they will be kept up to date on the latest products being offered through the auction.

The site user will be required to complete the signup form which will include:

• Name
• Address
• Town
• County
• Email Address
• Telephone
• Password
• Confirm Password

Once the site user has input the above information they will be required to press the ‘submit’ button which will activate their user account. The user will receive a formatted HTML email confirming their account details and welcoming them to the website. The user will now have the ability to create and manage their product profile, the options they would have for example would be (Examples Only):

• Email Opt In

- Yes
- No

• Website Alerts

- Yes
- No

• Manage Product Profile

- Product Category
- Reserve Amount
- Country of Origin

Once the user has entered the above information they will simply press the update option at which point the information will be written to database. From this point onwards the system will auto email alerts to the user as products are added to the website.

User Feedback

The system will enable a buyer or seller to enter their comments as required. The buyer will have the ability to enter their feedback both positive and negative against the seller they purchased the item from, the seller will have the ability to feedback against the buyer as above.

Ask Seller a Question

Any buyer will have the ability to contact the seller with any questions relating to the product in question.

.: AUCTION MANAGER - Backend Site Administration Area

The software is designed to ensure all aspects of the management of the website are able to be handled in house by the site administrator. The private area of the website is called Site Manager and requires a username and password to gain entry.

The system is broken down to the following areas:

• Product Manager
• Order Manager
• User Manager

.: Product Manager

Product Manager enables the site administrator to manage all aspects of the products within the auction system. Admin has the ability to Add / Remove and Update product information as and when required. Admin has the ability to browse all products or search for a product using a keyword and or a category search.

Whether a new product needs adding to the website, or for example an existing product description needs changing admin simply uses Product Manager to perform these requirements.

When new products are added to the website admin is required to complete the product form which generally includes the product title, description, product code, RRP price, Trade price, product category / sub category. Once admin has added the information they will then have the ability to add the product images.

Category Management
Within Product Manager is category management, this ensures that admin can create and manage product categories and sub categories. This ensures that if the website wishes to launch a new range of products admin simply creates the new product category / sub category to assign the new products to. Once admin has created the new product category / sub category it will be displayed at the front end of the website to enable site users to search by it.

Image / File Management
Regarding image / file management for products, to ensure ease of use the system gives admin a browse option of their computer, this enables them to locate the image / file they require and once located they simply press the upload option which places the image / file directly on the server. This process caters for thumbnail and preview images as well as files and ensures FTP is not required.

.: Order Manager

To ensure all orders are managed properly the system includes a full order management facility. All orders that are approved are instantly written to the orders management database and are available to browse on a monthly basis.

All orders received are given a unique order number which is confirmed to the client on their thank you email.

As mentioned admin receives an email notifying them there has been an order, this email includes the order number for ease of location.

Once admin has entered Order Manager the system defaults the display to the current month and shows all orders received on a line format. Once admin clicks the order number the full order information is displayed including the customers details and also the order information.

On an ongoing basis the system enables admin to browse through all months the system has been trading for. The information the system gives as standard is the number of orders and the total sales within a particular month.

 .: User Manager

User Manager enables the site administrator to view and manage users of the auction site as required. Admin will have the ability to view the user account and from their account view their feedback and products purchased / sold.

As required admin would have the ability to suspend a user account.

 For more information on the Auction Manager software please call us: +44(0)161 643 2876