If you are someone who runs WooCommerce stores and is looking to integrate auction capabilities, then Ultimate Auction Pro can be of some real HELP!
The plugin is designed specifically for small to medium-sized business owners and entrepreneurs who are looking for an easy-to-use auction solution.
With my detailed review covering its features and pricing, you’ll find that Ultimate Auction Pro not only simplifies the process of adding auction functionality but also enhances user engagement.
The online auction market is expected to experience significant growth, with a projected Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 12.36% from 2023 to 2028.
During this period, the market’s value is anticipated to rise by approximately USD 3,076.64 million. The market for online auctions is growing, and this plugin enables your store to take advantage of it.
Whether you’re looking to diversify your sales strategy or better engage your customers, is Ultimate Auction Pro the answer you’ve been looking for?
Let us find out in my detailed Ultimate Auction Pro review.
What is Ultimate Auction Pro?
Ultimate Auction Pro stands out as the premier choice for WordPress auction plugins in 2024. It unlocks powerful auction features, allowing sellers to offer products at attractive prices.
The plugin functions seamlessly with WordPress, requiring an initial setup with WooCommerce, followed by the Ultimate Woo Auction PRO plugin installation. This setup enables both admins and vendors to add auction products to their sites.
Features of Ultimate Auction Pro
With Ultimate Auction Pro for WooCommerce, you can enhance your online auction experience with the following features:
1. Automatic Credit Card & Debit Collection
It automates the payment process by debiting the bid amount directly to the auctioneer’s Stripe account, simplifying transactions. For example, when the auction closes, the bid amount is automatically deducted from the customer’s account and transferred to the auctioneer’s account.
2. User Registration with Credit Card
Users need to register and provide credit card details, managed securely by Stripe, to place bids. Therefore, customers need to provide accurate credit card information to ensure their bids are successfully processed.
Additionally, customers must ensure that all credit card information is kept up to date to ensure successful payment.
3. Proxy Bidding
This feature allows users to set maximum bids. The plugin then bids on their behalf, ensuring they remain competitive even when not actively participating. Furthermore, customers must remember to review their bids regularly to ensure their proxy bids are up to date and that their maximum bids are competitive.
4. Buyer’s Premium
Admins can charge an additional fee on top of the bid price, increasing the revenue potential from each auction. Admins can also set a maximum amount for Buyer’s Premium, ensuring that they do not overcharge customers.
Additionally, customers have the option to opt out of Buyer’s Premium if they wish. Admins can also set a minimum bid increment to prevent customers from bidding too low. Furthermore, admins can also set a soft-close time, after which the auction will end even if no bids have been made.
5. Soft-Close/Anti-sniping
To prevent last-minute bidding (‘sniping’), the plugin can extend the auction time. This feature has two modes: a recursive time extension with each snipe or a single extension with notifications to all bidders.
For example, if a soft-close time of 5 minutes is set, and a user places a bid in the last 5 seconds, the auction will be extended for 5 minutes, allowing other users to place bids.
6. Relist Options
If an auction doesn’t find a winner, it can be relisted automatically or manually under certain conditions, such as non-payment or reserve price not being met. For instance, if an auction is relisted, the bidders from the last auction will be notified, and the new auction will be added to their watch list.
7. Variable Increment
This allows setting varied bid increments for different bidding intervals, helping to attract higher bids. For example, an auction with variable increments will start at $50 and increase by $10 for each bid until the highest bid reaches $500, then increase by $25 for each bid.
8. Silent Bidding
In this mode, bidders are unaware of each other’s bid amounts, adding an element of strategy and intrigue to the auction process. For instance, in a silent auction, bidders can place their bids on silent auction items anonymously, and the highest bidder is revealed at the end of the auction.
9. Bulk Import
Admins can add multiple auction products simultaneously using a bulk upload feature, streamlining the product listing process. For instance, admins can quickly add thousands of items using the bulk upload feature, enabling them to save time on product listing.
10. Ajax Instant Bidding
This implementation ensures real-time bidding updates without needing to refresh the page, providing a seamless user experience. For example, as soon as a bid is placed, the auction clock is updated in real-time, allowing users to keep track of the auction progress.
11. Widgets
These displays live, expired, future, ending soon, and recently viewed auctions on your website, enhancing user engagement. For instance, users can view a list of auctions ending soon and bid on them without having to leave the website.
12. Shortcodes
They enable the addition of separate pages for different auction types, like live, expired, or future auctions, offering better site organization. For instance, a shortcode can be used to display a list of all live auctions or all auctions ending in the next 24 hours.
13. Multilingual Ready
The plugin is compatible with various translation plugins, allowing auctions to be accessible in multiple languages, including right-to-left (RTL) languages. Additionally, the plugin supports multi-language auctions, allowing users to view auctions in their preferred language.
How does Ultimate Auction Pro work?
1. Adding Auctions
The website admin and vendors (sellers) can add auction products. First, they install the WooCommerce plugin and then add the Ultimate Woo Auction PRO plugin. The admin can also allow other users to become vendors and sell items.
3. User Registration
Anyone who wants to bid on items must register on the website. During registration, they can provide credit card details for easy payment.
4. Viewing and Inquiring
Users can look at photos and read descriptions of the auction items. If they have questions, they can send private messages.
5. Timed Bidding
In timed auctions, bidders can set the maximum amount they’re willing to pay. The system will automatically bid for them, but only up to their set limit. The price increases as others bid, but it won’t go over their maximum bid.
6. Winning the Auction
The highest bidder wins and gets a notification. The winning item appears in their checkout area, where they can pay for it. For business users, the PRO version automatically charges the winner’s credit card and transfers the money to the seller’s Stripe account.
Comparison of Free and Pro version
| Feature | PRO Version | Free Version |
| Collect Credit Card and Automatically Debit Winning Amount | ✅ | ❌ |
| Users can add auctions | ✅ | ❌ |
| Automatic or Proxy Bidding | ✅ | ❌ |
| SMS Notification | ✅ | ❌ |
| Soft-Close or Anti-Sniping feature to extend time | ✅ | ❌ |
| Automatic and Manual Relisting of Expired Auction | ✅ | ❌ |
| Add Auction for Future Dates | ✅ | ❌ |
| Add Silent auctions | ✅ | ❌ |
| Variable Increment | ✅ | ❌ |
| Buyer’s Premium | ✅ | ❌ |
| Reverse Bidding Engine | ✅ | ❌ |
| Bulk Import | ✅ | ❌ |
| Live Bidding without page refresh | ✅ | ❌ |
| Delete User Bids | ✅ | ❌ |
| Support Virtual Products | ✅ | ❌ |
| WPML and LocoTranslate Compatible | ✅ | ❌ |
| Widgets for Expired, Future Auctions | ✅ | ❌ |
| Custom Emails | ✅ | ❌ |
| Many Shortcodes & Filters | ✅ | ❌ |
| Registered User can place bids | ✅ | ✅ |
| Ajax Admin panel for better management | ✅ | ✅ |
| Add standard auctions for bidding | ✅ | ✅ |
| Buy Now option | ✅ | ✅ |
| Show auctions in your timezone | ✅ | ✅ |
| Set Reserve price for your product | ✅ | ✅ |
| Set Bid incremental value for auctions | ✅ | ✅ |
| Ability to edit, delete & end live auctions | ✅ | ✅ |
| Re-activate Expired auctions | ✅ | ✅ |
| Email notifications to bidders for placing bids | ✅ | ✅ |
| Email notification to Admin for all activity | ✅ | ✅ |
| Email Sent for Payment Alerts | ✅ | ✅ |
| Outbid Email sent to all bidders who have been outbid | ✅ | ✅ |
| Count Down Timer for auctions | ✅ | ✅ |
| Ability to Cancel last bid | ✅ | ✅ |
How much does Ultimate Auction Pro cost?
These plans cater to a range of users, from individuals just starting with online auctions to businesses managing multiple auction sites needing advanced features and support.
1. Starter Plan
Priced at $79/year (normally $99), this plan includes support and updates for one website for a year. It’s ideal for individuals or small businesses starting with online auctions.
Features include simple and proxy bidding, silent bidding, soft-close/anti-sniping, automatic and manual relisting, variable increment, and vendor auction integration with WCFM Marketplace.
2. Business Plan
At $119/year (normally $199), this plan covers three websites and adds features like credit card auto debit via Stripe, buyer’s premium, SMS notifications with Twilio, a currency switcher, and offline dealing for buyers and sellers. Suitable for growing businesses or those with multiple auction sites.
3. Unlimited Plan
For $199/year (normally $299), this plan offers support and updates for an unlimited number of websites, making it perfect for larger businesses or those managing multiple auction platforms. It includes all features of the Business plan.
There are also lifetime options available for these plans:
1. Starter Lifetime
A one-time payment of $299 (normally $399) includes lifetime support and updates for one website with features similar to the annual Starter plan.
2. Business Lifetime
Priced at $399 (normally $499), it offers lifetime support and updates for three websites with all features included in the annual business plan.
3. Unlimited Lifetime
For $499 (normally $599), this plan provides lifetime support and updates for an unlimited number of websites. It includes all features of the Business plan plus additional notifications and the ability to charge bidding fees from users.
Pricing Comparison
| Plan Type | Starter | Business | Unlimited |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Pricing | $79/year | $119/year | $199/year |
| Lifetime Pricing | $299 (one-time) | $399 (one-time) | $499 (one-time) |
| Websites Supported | 1 website | 3 websites | Unlimited websites |
| Key Features (Annual & Lifetime) | Simple & Proxy Bidding, Silent Bidding, Soft-Close, Automatic & Manual Relist, Variable Increment, Vendor Auction with WCFM Marketplace | All Starter features, Credit Card Auto Debit – Stripe, Buyer’s Premium, SMS Notification, Currency Switcher, Offline Dealing | All Business features, plus additional features like Twilio Whatsapp Notifications and the ability to charge bidding fees (Lifetime plan only) |
How is customer support?
The customer support for Ultimate Auction Pro is focused on providing professional and expert assistance to its users.
1. Support Ticket Submission
Users can submit support tickets for technical issues, bug reports, sales inquiries, and accounting questions.
I was facing a problem in manually adding the products for auction, once I submitted my ticket with the detailed problem and the screenshot of the issue, I was given detailed help by the creator itself in just an hour.
2. Comprehensive Documentation
The Ultimate Auction Support Centre offers a wide range of documentation. This includes sales and account questions, plugin functions and features, and in-depth tutorials. This comprehensive documentation serves as a first line of information for users looking to understand the plugin better.
3. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The website has a dedicated section for FAQs, addressing general questions about installation, requirements, and functionality of the Ultimate WooCommerce Auction PRO plugin. This section is particularly useful for users seeking quick answers to common queries and troubleshooting tips.
Integrations offered by the Ultimate Auction Pro plugin
The Ultimate Auction Pro plugin offers integration with several popular WooCommerce extensions to enhance its functionality. Here’s a detailed look at these integrations:
1. WooCommerce Product Vendors
This integration allows your users to act as vendors on your WooCommerce store and add their own auctions.
Requirements include WooCommerce version 2.5.0+ and WooCommerce Product Vendors 2.0+. To set up, you assign a Vendor Admin to each vendor store.
The Vendor Admin can then log in to the WordPress backend panel to add products for their store. Any user on the site can bid on these products once they’re added to the shop page.
2. Dokan
Dokan Lite, a free plugin, can also be integrated to create a vendor store where users can act as vendors. Requirements are similar to WooCommerce Product Vendors, including WooCommerce version 2.5.0+ and Dokan Lite.
The admin allows the vendor to access their WordPress backend panel. Vendors register on the “My Account” page and set up their store through Dokan.
Once set up, they can access the WP backend panel and add auction products, which are then available for bidding in their store.
3. WCFM Marketplace by WC Lovers
This integration involves installing and understanding WCFM. After the admin has configured WCFM, users can register as vendors.
They go through a store setup configuration to add their products. Once the store is set up, the user can access the store manager (vendor dashboard) and will find an “Auction” option if the PRO version of Ultimate Auction is activated.
The users can then add and manage auctions from this dashboard.
Conclusion
In summary, Ultimate Auction Pro is a great tool for adding auction features to websites that use WooCommerce. It has two versions: a Free version for beginners or small businesses and a PRO version for larger businesses or those who need more advanced options.
The PRO version offers special features like different types of bidding, automatic payment collection, and tools to make auctions more interesting and easy to manage.
The Free version is simpler but still has all the basic things you need to start an online auction.
Overall, Ultimate Auction Pro is useful for anyone who wants to start or grow their online auction business, whether they’re just starting out or have a lot of experience.
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