---
title: "🚦Event Readiness in ClickBid: Step-by-Step Setup"
description: Get your ClickBid event set up for success with the Readiness Checklist. From core settings and payment setup to item activation and launch timing, this step-by-step guide helps you prepare every detail before going live.
---

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# 🚦Event Readiness in ClickBid: Step-by-Step Setup

### ✅ Readiness Checklist Overview

#### The **Readiness Checklist** helps you get your ClickBid auction event fully set up and ready to go. From core settings and bidder registration to payment and item setup, this checklist walks you through the must-do steps before your event begins.

### ⚙️ First Steps: Core Setup

Start by going to **Software Settings \> Auction Settings** to configure your foundational event settings.

#### 1. **General Event Details**

- **Max Bidding**: Allows bidders to set a max amount, so the system can auto-bid for them until their limit is reached.
  
    - Bidders receive an **outbid text** when their max is exceeded.
- **Event Start Date/Time**: Controls when bidders are able to log in and when bidding opens.

![](https://support.cbo.io/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Feb-09-2026-03-19-06-1236-AM.png?width=670&height=241&name=image-png-Feb-09-2026-03-19-06-1236-AM.png)

#### 2. **Bidder Settings**

- **Allow Bidder Registration?**: Enable this to let guests register themselves. They’ll receive a **welcome text and email** automatically.
- **Require Address**: Makes address entry mandatory for bidders logging in.
- **Require Credit Card Info?**: Requires a card on file before accessing the bidding site.

![](https://support.cbo.io/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Feb-09-2026-03-19-52-6296-AM.png?width=670&height=223&name=image-png-Feb-09-2026-03-19-52-6296-AM.png)

- **Register to Bid Welcome Email**: Personalize this message to include event details.

**🚧Caution: Do not add shortcodes** to this area as the system can't read them. The software auto-includes the bidding link and bidder number.

#### 3. **Butler Settings**

- **Login Details**: Copy the URL provided and share with volunteers for **event night Check-in/Check-out**. Ensure users have **Butler permissions** under Software Settings \> Users.
- **Custom Welcome Text:** Keep the default or customize the message sent when guests register via the landing page or are checked in through Butler.

![welcome message1](https://support.cbo.io/hs-fs/hubfs/welcome%20message1.png?width=670&height=276&name=welcome%20message1.png)

**ℹ️Info:** Always include the **\[u\]** shortcode somewhere in your message for the bidding link.

#### 4. **Payment**

- **Payment Method**: Select **BidKit Payments** from the dropdown.

![](https://support.cbo.io/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Feb-09-2026-03-21-21-0524-AM.png?width=670&height=120&name=image-png-Feb-09-2026-03-21-21-0524-AM.png)

🚧**Caution**: If not set up, click **Merchant Registration** to connect Stripe and **enable** credit card payments.

- **Capture Admin Fees**: Add 3.63% (or 3.724% in Canada) to cover credit card fees.
  
    - You can also let guests **opt out of admin fees**.
- **Guests Can Checkout from Phone?**: Enable this to allow mobile self-checkout.
- **Send Silent Auction Winning Text Messages**: Sends automatically at item close and allows winners to check out from their phones.

**💡Tip:** Make sure **guest checkout from phones** is enabled, otherwise, the winning message won’t be sent.

#### 5. **FMV Settings**

- **Showing FMV**: Choose where to display **Fair Market Value**, we recommend showing it at least on **bidder receipts**.

#### 6. **Custom Content**

- **Statement Footer**: Add your **Tax ID** here so it displays on bidder receipts.
- **Terms**: Add information to show on the log in code page.

---

### 🎟️ Next Steps: Item Setup

Head to **Items \> Manage Items** to review and finalize your auction items.

#### 1. **Check Your Closing Time**

- Use the arrows in the **Closing** column to review times.
  
    - To update in bulk, select items, scroll to **Batch Update**, set your closing date/time, and click **Update**.

![](https://support.cbo.io/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Feb-09-2026-03-22-41-1924-AM.png?width=457&height=436&name=image-png-Feb-09-2026-03-22-41-1924-AM.png)

#### 2. **Are Your Items Active?**

- Use the arrows in the **Status** column to ensure auction items are set to **Active**.

![](https://support.cbo.io/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Feb-09-2026-03-23-12-0252-AM.png?width=180&height=145&name=image-png-Feb-09-2026-03-23-12-0252-AM.png)

#### 3. **Check Your Prices**

- Review the **Start** and **Raise** columns.

**ℹ️Info: Avoid** $1 start/raise amounts unless intentional.

#### 4. **Are You Accepting Donations?**

- Check the **Type** column for a **Donation** item.
  
    - If none exists:
      
          1. Click **Add Item**.
          2. Set **Item Type** to Donation.
          3. Add your desired denominations.
          4. Set item to **Active**, then click **Complete and Go Back**.

 

![](https://support.cbo.io/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Feb-09-2026-03-25-40-7284-AM.png?width=626&height=376&name=image-png-Feb-09-2026-03-25-40-7284-AM.png)

---

### 📝 Last Steps: Launch Timing

Navigate to **Software Settings \> Landing Page Content \> Login/Register Area**.

#### 1. **Event Start Confirmation**

- Double-check your **start date** here.
  
    - If it’s incorrect, click the **support request** link to update.

#### 2. **Opening the Auction Early**

- Want to open the auction **before** the set start date?
  
    - Set **Open Auction Early** to **Yes**.
    - Leave it set to **No** if you prefer the auction opens **automatically** on the scheduled date/time.

🚧**Caution:** Even with the correct start time, auction items will **not automatically become Active**. You must **manually update** their status under **Items \> Manage Items**.

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