This post is in response to Sahar’s call for feedback on Bido:

I’m here to ask from you, Bido member, or a Bido observer, to tell us what you like about Bido, what you don’t like, and anything else you have in mind.

1. Remove the absolute bid system

It adds nothing to the auctions, just stops a lot of people from bidding a max they would be happy to pay for it and forget about it. We’re all overworked, tracking auctions isn’t always possible. I wanted a domain I would have happily paid $50 for, but 14 minutes before the end of the auction a client called and I got busy and lost out on the name.

2. Remove the $28 min. for No reserve auctions

No reserve means no reserve, $28 is a reserve in these times. Plus people are hesitant to bid on domains without even one bid on it, irrespective of quality. No reserve auctions should start at $1, irrespective of the added admin load it creates at $1 price points. Charge a $5 min. transaction fee per sale, even at $1 – this would also prevent people from listing just about everything and then blaming the platform when it doesn’t sell.

3. Revamp the voting system

Its easy enough to create a collective of 5 people and get as many names as you want sent to auction. These are the names that inspite of getting the votes don’t even get one bid.

4. Improve the Lists GUI

Its a pain to scroll or wait for the ajax to load stuff, just present the lists as is, on the home page or max via one click access.

5. Advertise to Regular Business

Afternic advertises to SMEs, as does Sedo, to succeed long term, Bido needs to do the same thing.