Auction Website Builder

Build your auction website.
Then own it.

Create a branded auction site with timed auctions, catalogue events and fixed-price sales in one platform. Launch quickly on managed Cloud or VPS, or install PHP Pro Bid on your own server when you want full infrastructure control.

An auction website builder, sometimes called an auction site builder, is software that lets you create and run your own auction site: configure the site, publish lots, take bids, close sales, and manage invoices. PHP Pro Bid brings those workflows together in one system, with managed Cloud and VPS for convenience or a self-hosted license for teams that manage their own server.
See the Platform

See what you are building

Follow the real PHP Pro Bid v10 workflow from site setup and selling format to a published auction, online bidding and completed-sale management.

PHP Pro Bid charges zero transaction fees on every plan. Fees charged by your chosen payment processor are separate.

The Honest Comparison

Two ways to build an auction website

With PHP Pro Bid, the auction-platform portion starts at £399 one-time for a self-hosted License or £63/month for managed Cloud when billed annually. A domain, payment processing, optional installation, design, and custom development are separate costs. Use the auction software cost calculator to compare the three PHP Pro Bid plans.

You can bolt auctions onto a general website builder, or start from software that was built for auctions. Here is the difference in practice.

General site builder + auction plugin

Fine for a one-off sale. Expensive habits after that.

  • Basic bidding via plugin; proxy bidding, anti-sniping, and staggered closings are usually missing or extra
  • Monthly builder fee, plugin fees, and often a percentage of each sale on top
  • Invoicing, seller management, and buyer accounts assembled from parts that don't know each other
  • Your site lives on their platform, on their terms

A dedicated auction platform

Built for people who run auctions every week.

  • Proxy bidding, anti-sniping, staggered lot closings, and automatic invoicing as standard — see the full feature list
  • Choose managed Cloud, Managed VPS or self-hosting, with no platform transaction fee
  • Every format on one installation: timed, live events, marketplace with cart
  • Your domain, your brand, your bidder database
Choose How to Launch

Start managed. Keep control.

Cloud is the simplest way to get an auction website online. Move to dedicated Managed VPS capacity as you grow, or self-host when your team wants to manage the server. The software and auction workflows stay familiar whichever route you choose.

Cloud

The convenient starting point. Hosting, installation, updates and backups are handled for you, so you can focus on branding the site and publishing your first lots.

Managed VPS

Dedicated capacity without server administration. PHP Pro Bid sets up and maintains the server, with priority support for busier sites and larger catalogues.

Self-hosted license

Run the platform on your own compatible server for maximum infrastructure control. Learn about the self-hosted license.

Compare what is included and see the current figures on the pricing page. PHP Pro Bid does not charge a platform transaction fee; fees from your chosen payment processor are separate.

What You're Building With

Everything an auction site needs, already built

Timed auctions

Always-on listings with proxy bidding and anti-sniping soft close. The core of timed auction software, running 24/7.

Auction events

New in v10: scheduled catalogs whose lots close in sequence, with one combined invoice per buyer. Built for live auction events and estate sales.

Marketplace & cart

Fixed-price listings, multi-seller stores, and a real shopping cart alongside your auctions — the marketplace and webstore formats.

Payments & invoicing

Nine payment gateways, automatic invoices when lots close, and full fee control. You set the fees; the platform never takes a cut.

A real admin panel

Categories, sellers, bidders, word filters, newsletters, translations — run the whole business from one place, no code required.

Mobile bidding, no app

Bidders browse, bid, and pay from any phone in the browser. A branded app is available later as auction app development.

What Bidders See

A clear place to browse and bid

Your public auction site keeps the lot image, current price, countdown and bidding controls together, while your administration area handles the work behind it.

PHP Pro Bid v10 public auction listing for an electric guitar with current price, countdown and place bid controls
A real bidder-facing listing in the PHP Pro Bid v10 demo.
From Zero to First Bid

How to build an auction website in five steps

1

Pick your plan

Choose managed Cloud for the quickest launch, Managed VPS for dedicated capacity, or self-hosting.

2

Go live

Cloud is live in minutes. Self-hosted installs on compatible PHP hosting, with an installation service if you want it done for you.

3

Brand it

Your logo, colors, and domain. The optional Unbranding add-on removes our name entirely.

4

List your lots

One at a time or hundreds via CSV bulk upload. Photos, reserves, increments, categories.

5

Open the bidding

Timed, event, or fixed price. Invoices go out automatically when lots close.

Planning the business side too — niche, legals, first consignments? The guide to starting an online auction business covers the whole journey.

Before You Build

Auction website builder questions, answered

What is the best auction website builder?

Look for the auction formats you need, control of your brand and bidder data, mobile-friendly bidding, clear fees, and room to grow. PHP Pro Bid combines timed auctions, auction events and fixed-price sales in one platform, with managed and self-hosted ways to launch.

How much does it cost to build an auction website?

With PHP Pro Bid, the auction-platform portion starts at £399 one-time for a self-hosted License or £63/month for managed Cloud when billed annually. A domain, payment processing, optional installation, design, and custom development are separate costs. Use the cost calculator to compare the three PHP Pro Bid plans over one or three years.

Can I create an auction website without coding?

Yes. With managed Cloud there is nothing to install: add your branding and categories, publish your first lots, and manage the site from the administration panel. Code is only needed for bespoke development.

Can a general website builder run auctions?

Up to a point. General site builders usually add auctions through plugins. A dedicated auction platform is designed around bidding, proxy bids, timed closings, invoicing and seller management, so those workflows operate together instead of as separate add-ons.

Do I own the auction website I build?

With self-hosting, you run your licensed installation on your own server. With managed Cloud or VPS, PHP Pro Bid handles the infrastructure while you control your brand, content and customer data. PHP Pro Bid does not take a percentage of your sales; payment-processor fees are separate.

How long does it take to build an auction website?

Managed Cloud is the quickest route because hosting and installation are handled. Managed VPS also removes the server setup work. Self-hosted timing depends on your server and any design or development changes. Preparing the first catalogue is usually the largest part of the launch.

Start building today.

Try the real v10 workflow, then choose the managed or self-hosted route that fits your team.

Try the live demo Get started