What do I need to start an online auction?

Before your first bid, upload property descriptions, floor plans, terms & conditions, and common bidder FAQs into Chatref's knowledge base. The system ingests PDFs, web pages, and plain text, then grounds every answer in your own content. This means bidders get precise lot details, payment instructions, and auction timelines without you typing a single line. A well‑prepared knowledge base turns hours of repetitive Q&A into zero‑touch resolution.

Chatref's onboarding flow guides you through adding content, testing responses, and embedding the widget on your auction site. No technical skills required. You can preview how the assistant handles typical queries like "What's the reserve price?" or "How do I register for the auction?" directly in the live playground. Once satisfied, deploy the snippet and start deflecting questions immediately—shortening the time between auction announcement and go‑live.

Match the widget's primary color, logo, and greeting message to your auction brand. Chatref's customization layer lets you adjust the assistant's tone and copy so that it reflects your agency's voice, not a generic bot. A cohesive, on‑brand experience builds trust with bidders and keeps them focused on placing bids, not questioning the chat interface.

What equipment is needed for an online auction?
No special hardware is required beyond a computer and internet access. The Chatref widget works inside any modern browser; you load your inventory and auction rules into the knowledge base once, then the assistant handles inquiries 24/7. The embedded snippet is all a bidder ever sees.

How do I prepare my inventory for auction?
Gather all lot descriptions, high‑resolution images, bidding instructions, and terms in a single folder. Upload these files—PDFs, Word docs, or plain text—to Chatref's knowledge base. The AI instantly learns the details and provides accurate, document‑grounded answers about each property throughout the auction.

Can I customize the auction interface?
Absolutely. Chatref lets you set brand colors, add your logo, and tailor the assistant's greeting and persona. The widget is designed to blend seamlessly into your auction site, so bidders never feel they're talking to a third‑party tool—they're talking to your auction team.