View Categories

How to Create and Configure a Highest-Bid Auction in Super Checkout

16 min read

Super Checkout’s Auction feature allows you to sell a product through bids. In the Highest Bid format, participants compete during a defined period. When the auction ends, the participant with the highest bid receives access to the checkout to complete the purchase.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to:

  • Prepare the required Website Builder pages.
  • Create the auction product in Super Checkout.
  • Set the starting price and bid increment.
  • Connect a MailingBoss list.
  • Configure payment, shipping, and the thank-you page.
  • Embed the auction on your page using an iframe.
  • Test the complete bidding experience.
  • Monitor bids, participants, and the auction result.

Before you begin

Prepare the following:

  • A website created in Builderall’s Website Builder.
  • A page where the auction will be presented and bids will be placed.
  • A thank-you page for the winner.
  • The physical or digital product you want to auction.
  • An active payment method connected to Super Checkout.
  • A list created in MailingBoss.
  • The auction rules and conditions.
  • The auction’s closing date and time.

If Super Checkout has not yet been configured for this website, you may first need to enter your company information.

Important: Make sure the selected payment method is active, properly connected, and compatible with the auction currency.

How a highest-bid auction works

The basic flow is:

  1. The seller defines the auction’s starting price.
  2. The seller defines the bid increment.
  3. Participants enter their information and confirm their identity by email.
  4. Each new bid follows the configured increment.
  5. When someone is outbid, they may receive an email notification.
  6. Bidding remains open until the configured closing date and time.
  7. The participant with the highest bid wins.
  8. The winner receives an email with access to the checkout.
  9. After completing payment, the winner is redirected to the thank-you page.

Example

Suppose you configure:

  • Starting price: $500
  • Bid increment: $50

The bids may progress as follows:

  • First bid: $550
  • Second bid: $600
  • Third bid: $650
  • Fourth bid: $700

The bid increment determines the amount added to the current price when a new bid is placed.

Part 1 — Create the auction pages

For this structure, you’ll need two pages.

Page 1: Auction page

This is where visitors learn about the product and place their bids.

Include information such as:

  • Product name and description.
  • Photos or videos.
  • Condition of the item, when applicable.
  • Starting price.
  • Bid increment.
  • Closing date and time.
  • Payment conditions.
  • Shipping or delivery information.
  • Participation rules.
  • Deadline for the winner to complete payment.

The interactive auction panel will later be added to this page through an iframe.

A recommended page structure is:

  1. Auction title.
  2. Product images.
  3. Product description and specifications.
  4. Interactive bidding panel.
  5. Button or link to view the auction rules.
  6. Payment and delivery information.
  7. Frequently asked questions.

You can also display the auction rules in a pop-up so visitors can read them without leaving the page.

Page 2: Thank-you page

This page is shown to the winner after payment is completed.

It may include:

  • Purchase confirmation.
  • A congratulations message.
  • Summary of the next steps.
  • Delivery or product-access instructions.
  • Estimated shipping time.
  • Customer support information.
  • A form or automation for collecting additional information.

For physical products, you can also connect a WhatsApp automation to communicate:

  • Order confirmation.
  • Shipping preparation.
  • Shipping date.
  • Tracking code.
  • Delivery updates.

A WhatsApp button, QR code, or automation is optional and is not required for the auction to work.

Publish both pages before configuring the product so they are available for selection in Super Checkout.

Part 2 — Access Super Checkout

  1. Log in to your Builderall account.
  2. Open the website where the auction will be used.
  3. Access Super Checkout.
  4. If this is the first product for that website, complete the requested company information.
  5. Open the products area.
  6. Select the option to create a new product.

Depending on the interface version available in your account, you may also be able to create the product directly from the Auction section.

Part 3 — Enter the product information

Complete the product’s main details.

Product name

Choose a name that clearly identifies the item.

Example:

Special Edition Collectible Magazine

Language

Select the language used for the checkout experience and related communications.

Choose the language that matches your auction audience.

Description

Clearly explain what is being auctioned.

For physical products, consider including:

  • Dimensions.
  • Weight.
  • Materials.
  • Condition.
  • Included items.
  • Known limitations.
  • Shipping conditions.

For digital products, include:

  • Content format.
  • Method of access.
  • Access release time.
  • Technical requirements.
  • Access period, when applicable.

Product format

Select whether the product is:

  • Physical.
  • Digital.

This selection is especially important for shipping and delivery settings.

Category

Select the category that best represents the product.

Part 4 — Configure payment

In the pricing section:

  1. Select the payment method.
  2. Choose the currency.
  3. Configure any additional conditions available for the product.
  4. Under Payment type, select Auction.

The selected payment method will be used to charge the winner after the auction ends.

Placing a bid does not mean payment has already been completed. In a highest-bid auction, the winner receives access to the checkout after the bidding period ends.

Part 5 — Select the auction type

When you select Auction as the payment type, additional auction settings will be displayed.

Super Checkout may present auction formats such as:

  • Highest Bid.
  • Buyout.
  • Reverse Auction.

For this guide, select Highest Bid.

In this format, the participant with the highest valid bid when the auction closes is the winner.

Part 6 — Configure the auction values

Starting price

Enter the amount at which the auction will begin.

When setting this amount, consider:

  • Product cost.
  • Payment processing fees.
  • Applicable taxes.
  • Packaging expenses.
  • Operating costs.
  • Minimum desired profit.
  • Shipping costs, if included.

For example, if the product costs $400 and you do not want to sell it for less than $500, you can set:

Starting price: $500

Avoid calculating the starting price based only on the product’s purchase cost. Include the other expenses involved in completing the sale.

Bid increment

Define how much will be added to the current amount when a new bid is placed.

Example:

  • Current amount: $500
  • Bid increment: $50
  • Next bid: $550

Choose an increment that is appropriate for the product’s value and audience.

A very small increment may generate many bids with little difference between them. An excessively high increment may discourage participation.

Auction status

Select In Progress when the auction is ready to accept participants.

Before activating or promoting it, review the entire configuration and complete a test.

Expiration date and time

Set the exact moment when the auction will close.

Check:

  • Date.
  • Time.
  • Time zone.
  • Time available for promotion.
  • Your team’s availability after the auction ends.

Publish the same closing information on the auction page and in the official rules.

Always include the closing time and time zone. Providing only the date can cause confusion and disputes.

Part 7 — Select the product pages

In the design or page settings, select:

  • Thank-you page: displayed after the winner completes payment.
  • Product or auction page: the page where the iframe will be embedded and participants will place bids.

In a highest-bid auction, only the winner receives the opportunity to complete the payment after the auction closes. Some redirection options used for standard products may therefore not be required.

Make sure the correct page is selected in each field.

Part 8 — Connect a MailingBoss list

Before completing this setting, create a dedicated list in MailingBoss.

Example:

Participants — Special Edition Auction

Then:

  1. Return to the product configuration in Super Checkout.
  2. Open the email section.
  3. Select the MailingBoss list.
  4. Save the configuration.

Participants who enter their information during the validation process can be added to the connected list.

You can use this list to:

  • Organize participants.
  • Send permitted auction updates.
  • Create segments.
  • Track the source of the contacts.
  • Announce future auctions when you have permission to do so.

Best practice: use a separate list for each auction or apply tags that clearly identify the contact source.

Part 9 — Enable abandoned-cart recovery

Enable abandoned-cart recovery when this option is available.

This is especially helpful when the winner:

  • Opens the checkout but does not complete payment.
  • Has a payment attempt declined.
  • Closes the checkout before finishing.
  • Needs to return later to complete the purchase.

The recovery message should clearly explain that the recipient won the auction but still needs to complete payment within the deadline established in the rules.

Define in advance:

  • How long the winner has to pay.
  • What happens if payment is not completed.
  • Whether another participant may be contacted.
  • Whether the product will return to auction.

Part 10 — Configure shipping or delivery

Physical products

Select the appropriate shipping method and review:

  • Supported locations.
  • Shipping cost.
  • Estimated delivery time.
  • Carrier or postal service.
  • Address requirements.
  • Responsibility for additional fees.

Clearly explain whether:

  • Shipping is free.
  • Shipping is charged during checkout.
  • Shipping is calculated later.
  • The winner must pick up the product.

Digital products

Explain how access will be delivered after payment.

Delivery may occur through:

  • Email.
  • Membership area.
  • Download link.
  • Automation.
  • Thank-you page.

Part 11 — Add the auction terms

Create clear terms and conditions for the auction.

The rules should explain at least:

  • Who may participate.
  • What product is being auctioned.
  • Starting price.
  • Bid increment.
  • Closing date, time, and time zone.
  • How the winner is determined.
  • Payment deadline.
  • Accepted payment methods.
  • What happens if the winner does not pay.
  • Shipping or pickup conditions.
  • Cancellation policy.
  • Customer support channel.
  • How participant information will be used.
  • Geographic or age restrictions, when applicable.

Enable the terms acceptance option when available.

Adapt the rules to the laws and regulations applicable to your business and location. Consult a qualified professional if you need legal or tax guidance.

Part 12 — Save the product

Before completing the configuration, confirm:

  • Product name and description.
  • Product format.
  • Payment method.
  • Currency.
  • Auction payment type.
  • Highest Bid auction format.
  • Starting price.
  • Bid increment.
  • Closing date and time.
  • Auction page.
  • Thank-you page.
  • MailingBoss list.
  • Abandoned-cart recovery.
  • Shipping or delivery.
  • Terms and conditions.

Then click Finish, Save, or the equivalent option displayed in your account.

Part 13 — Copy the auction URL

After creating the product:

  1. Open the Auction section in Super Checkout.
  2. Locate the auction.
  3. Click More Details.
  4. Find the auction URL.
  5. Copy the complete address.

This is the URL that will be added to the iframe on your auction page.

Do not confuse:

  • Your public website URL.
  • The winner’s checkout URL.
  • The interactive auction panel URL.

Use the auction URL provided in the auction details.

Part 14 — Embed the auction using an iframe

Return to the Website Builder.

  1. Open the auction page in the editor.
  2. Open the elements menu.
  3. Find the Iframe element.
  4. Drag it onto the page.
  5. Open the element’s general settings.
  6. Paste the auction URL.
  7. Adjust the width and height.
  8. Position the iframe where you want the auction panel to appear.
  9. Save your changes.
  10. Republish the website.

Adjusting the iframe size

The iframe should provide enough space to display:

  • Participant identification fields.
  • Current auction value.
  • Bid button.
  • Confirmation messages.
  • Current winning status.
  • Countdown or auction status.

Test the page on:

  • Desktop.
  • Tablet.
  • Mobile.

If an uncomfortable internal scrollbar appears, increase the iframe height and check the mobile layout again.

Part 15 — Test the complete auction

Never promote an auction before testing the full participant and payment flow.

Use at least two different email addresses to simulate two participants.

Test 1: First participant

  1. Open the published auction page.
  2. Enter the requested information.
  3. Begin the participation process.
  4. Open the email account used.
  5. Copy the confirmation code.
  6. Return to the auction page.
  7. Enter the code.
  8. Confirm the identity.
  9. Place the first bid.
  10. Confirm that the participant is shown as currently winning.

Test 2: Second participant

  1. Open the page in another browser, incognito window, or device.
  2. Enter a second email address.
  3. Confirm the identity using the email code.
  4. Place a higher bid.
  5. Confirm that the second participant becomes the current winner.
  6. Check whether the first participant receives an outbid notification.

Test 3: New bid from the first participant

  1. Return using the first participant’s email.
  2. Place another bid.
  3. Confirm that the amount follows the configured increment.
  4. Check whether the winning position is updated.
  5. Verify that the second participant receives an outbid notification.

Repeat the process until you confirm that:

  • Bids are recorded.
  • The value increases correctly.
  • Emails are delivered.
  • The current winner is updated.
  • Outbid participants receive notifications.

Test 4: Auction closing

For the initial test, configure an auction that ends soon.

After it closes, confirm that:

  • The auction is shown as expired or closed.
  • New bids are no longer accepted.
  • The highest bidder is correctly identified.
  • The winner receives an email.
  • The email link opens the checkout.
  • The checkout amount matches the winning bid.

Test 5: Payment and delivery

Use an appropriate test environment or payment method when available.

Confirm that:

  1. The winner can access the checkout.
  2. The amount is correct.
  3. Payment can be completed.
  4. The order is recorded.
  5. The thank-you page opens.
  6. Delivery instructions are displayed.
  7. The participant appears in the correct MailingBoss list.
  8. Abandoned-cart recovery is triggered when payment is not completed.

Do not run real financial tests unless you understand the possible charges, processing fees, and refund rules.

Participant experience

The normal participant journey is:

  1. The participant opens the auction page.
  2. They review the product and rules.
  3. They enter their information.
  4. They receive an email confirmation code.
  5. They confirm their identity.
  6. They place a bid.
  7. They see whether they are currently winning.
  8. They receive an email if someone places a higher bid.
  9. They can return and place another bid.
  10. The highest bid wins when the auction closes.
  11. The winner receives access to the checkout.
  12. After payment, the winner is redirected to the thank-you page.

How to monitor the auction

To review the auction:

  1. Open Super Checkout.
  2. Go to Auction.
  3. Locate the product.
  4. Click More Details.

Depending on the information available in your account, you may be able to review:

  • Number of bids.
  • Participants.
  • Bid values or history.
  • Current amount.
  • Winning bid.
  • Final sale amount.
  • Financial result displayed by the system.
  • Auction status.
  • Payment status.

You should also review:

  • The connected MailingBoss list.
  • Orders in Super Checkout.
  • Transactions in the payment provider.
  • Abandoned carts.

For high-value products, confirm the payment in both Super Checkout and the payment provider before shipping or delivering the item.

Best practices

Choose an attractive product

Auctions often work best for products with:

  • Exclusivity.
  • Limited availability.
  • High perceived value.
  • Collectible qualities.
  • A meaningful story.
  • Existing demand.

Make the rules easy to find

Clearly display:

  • Starting price.
  • Bid increment.
  • Closing date and time.
  • Payment conditions.
  • Shipping details.
  • Payment deadline.
  • Consequences of non-payment.

Include the time zone

Example:

The auction ends on July 30, 2026, at 8:00 PM, Eastern Time.

Avoid changing the rules after bidding begins

Once participants begin placing bids, avoid changing:

  • Starting price.
  • Bid increment.
  • Closing date.
  • Auctioned product.
  • Delivery conditions.
  • Payment deadline.

Monitor the closing period

Near the scheduled closing time, monitor:

  • Final bids.
  • Winner identification.
  • Winner notification.
  • Checkout access.
  • Payment completion.

Prepare for non-payment

Define beforehand what happens if the winner does not pay.

Possible procedures include:

  • Sending automatic reminders.
  • Providing a defined payment window.
  • Canceling the winner’s right to purchase.
  • Contacting the second-highest bidder if allowed by the published rules.
  • Creating a new auction.

Troubleshooting

The iframe does not appear

Check whether:

  • The complete auction URL was copied.
  • The URL was pasted into the correct iframe field.
  • The product was saved.
  • The auction is active.
  • The website was republished.
  • The browser is blocking embedded content.
  • The auction and website use compatible secure connections.

Also test the page in an incognito window.

The iframe is cut off

Increase the iframe height and review the mobile version of the page.

The panel may require more space after fields, notifications, or confirmation messages appear.

The participant does not receive the confirmation code

Ask the participant to:

  1. Confirm that the email address was entered correctly.
  2. Check Spam, Junk, and Promotions folders.
  3. Wait a few minutes.
  4. Search for the auction email by subject or sender.
  5. Request another code if the option is available.
  6. Try another email address.

If this affects multiple participants, review the product and email configuration.

A bid is not accepted

Confirm that:

  • The auction is still in progress.
  • The participant confirmed their identity.
  • The bid follows the configured increment.
  • The closing time has not passed.
  • The iframe is loading correctly.
  • The participant is using an updated browser.

An outbid notification is not received

Check:

  • Spam and Junk folders.
  • Whether the email address is correct.
  • Whether the higher bid was successfully confirmed.
  • Whether the notification was delayed by the email provider.

Test with email addresses from different providers.

The winner did not receive the payment link

Confirm:

  • The auction has ended.
  • A winner was recorded.
  • The email address is correct.
  • The email is not in Spam or Junk.
  • The product and checkout are active.
  • The payment method is connected.
  • Super Checkout does not show a pending configuration.

The checkout amount is incorrect

Compare:

  • The recorded winning bid.
  • The configured currency.
  • The amount displayed in the checkout.
  • The created order.
  • The payment provider’s transaction record.

Do not ask the winner to pay until the difference is resolved.

Payment was approved, but the thank-you page did not open

Check:

  • Whether the page is published.
  • Whether its URL is active.
  • Whether the correct page was selected.
  • Whether the domain is connected.
  • Whether the browser blocked the redirection.

The payment may still have been completed even if the redirection failed. Confirm the order before asking the customer to try again.

Participants do not appear in MailingBoss

Review:

  • Whether a list was selected.
  • Whether the product was saved after selecting the list.
  • Whether contacts were added with another status.
  • Whether filters are active.
  • Whether the email was already registered.
  • Whether the contacts were sent to another list.

The winner did not complete payment

Review the abandoned cart and follow the deadline published in the rules.

Before offering the product to someone else, confirm:

  • Whether the payment is pending.
  • Whether a payment attempt was declined.
  • Whether the winner requested assistance.
  • Whether the payment deadline is still open.

Frequently asked questions

How many pages do I need?

For the structure in this guide, you need:

  • One auction page.
  • One thank-you page.

You may create additional pages for the rules, customer support, or other information.

Does every participant receive access to the checkout?

No. In a highest-bid auction, checkout access is provided to the winner after bidding closes.

Does placing a bid create a charge?

No. A bid records the participant’s offer. The winner completes payment through the checkout after the auction ends.

Can I auction physical products?

Yes. Configure the product description, shipping, delivery conditions, and associated costs.

Can I auction digital products?

Yes. Configure how digital access will be delivered after the winner completes payment.

Does the participant need to confirm their email?

In the demonstrated flow, participants receive a code by email and must use it to confirm their identity.

What happens when someone places a higher bid?

The new bidder becomes the current winner. The previous bidder may receive an email and return to place another bid.

Can I choose any bid increment?

Choose an increment supported by the fields and limits displayed in your account. The amount should be appropriate for the product’s price.

Can I change the closing date after the auction begins?

Avoid changing it after bidding starts. If an exceptional change is necessary, it must comply with the published rules and be clearly communicated to participants.

What happens if the winner does not pay?

That depends on the rules you established. You may define a payment deadline and explain whether the purchase will be canceled, another participant will be contacted, or the auction will be reopened.

Is a WhatsApp automation required?

No. It is optional and may be used to improve communication about payment, shipping, tracking, or delivery.

Can I see who participated?

The auction details area may display participants, bids, values, and auction results.

Is connecting MailingBoss mandatory?

It is recommended for organizing and managing participant contacts. Availability or requirements may depend on the flow and settings displayed in your account.

Pre-publishing checklist

  • Product information completed.
  • Payment type set to Auction.
  • Highest Bid format selected.
  • Starting price reviewed.
  • Bid increment reviewed.
  • Closing date, time, and time zone confirmed.
  • Payment method active.
  • Correct currency selected.
  • Shipping or delivery configured.
  • Auction page published.
  • Thank-you page published.
  • Correct URL added to the iframe.
  • Iframe tested on desktop and mobile.
  • MailingBoss list connected.
  • Abandoned-cart recovery enabled.
  • Terms and rules published.
  • Flow tested with two participants.
  • Email notifications tested.
  • Auction closing tested.
  • Checkout and payment tested.
  • Thank-you page tested.
  • Non-payment policy defined.