Aaron Traffas wrote about Internet auction calendars in 2009 giving a good overview of the function of Internet auction calendars, technical aspects of what calendars do, syndication, etc. See this link for the complete article: http://www.auctioneertech.com/2009/internet-auction-calendars-offer-inexpensive-marketing-power/
My intent in this article is to focus on the paramount characteristic of any Internet auction calendar — the number of people who look at it.
Here’s my view. Any Internet auction calendar can have certain features or technical differences which make it better or worse (in someone’s opinion) than some other Internet auction calendar. Yet, does it really matter which one is more technologically advanced, or syndicates more, if nobody sees it? Does a tree that falls in the forest make any sound if …
Of the various Internet auction calendars, here’s how they stack up in this regard. For an average month, this is how many unique views these calendars receive, as of December, 2010 computed by www.compete.com
AuctionZip 1,060,807
Global Auction Guide 15,453
National Auction List 10,131
Internet Auction List 5,631
Gimme Auctions 390
NAA Auction < 1,000
There are other calendars as well. In fact, most state auctioneer associations have Internet auction calendars, but all receive, on average, less than 1,000 views per month.
What does this tell us? It clearly says that the public goes to AuctionZip to find auctions. In fact, more people look for auctions on AuctionZip than all other calendars, including all state auctioneer association calendars, combined — far more.
Specifically, even if we assumed that every state auctioneer association calendar received 1,000 views per month, and added the views of the aforementioned Internet auction calendars other than AuctionZip together, AuctionZip receives thirteen (13) times as many visitors as that total for all other calendars.
I am a member of the National Auctioneers Association (NAA). The NAA’s auction calendar is NAA Auction, which receives less than 1,000 views per month. What this indicates, quite clearly, is that the public isn’t looking for auctions conducted by NAA members — but rather is looking for auctions regardless of whether or not the auctioneer is a member of NAA.
I am a member of several state auctioneer associations, which all receive less than 1,000 views per month on their Internet auction calendars. What this indicates, quite clearly, is that the public isn’t looking for auctions conducted by state auctioneer association members — but rather is looking for auctions regardless of whether or not the auctioneer is a member of a state auctioneer association.
Aaron Traffas noted in his article above that: The days left where buyers are looking for auctions are few; customers are looking for items and they rarely consider the auctioneer.
The above distribution of views to these various sites seems to support this premise. Any auctioneer is advised to have his or her auction (with the list of items) on AuctionZip — as putting it anywhere else may well be a waste of time and effort.
Mike Brandly, Auctioneer, CAI, AARE has been an auctioneer and certified appraiser for over 30 years. His company’s auctions are located at: Mike Brandly, Auctioneer, Keller Williams Auctions and Goodwill Columbus Car Auction. His Facebook page is: www.facebook.com/mbauctioneer. He serves as Adjunct Faculty at Columbus State Community College and is Executive Director of The Ohio Auction School.
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