Proxibid has more auctions and bidders in the "Art Antiques & Collectibles" than in its other categories, including the "Farm & Heavy Equipment" category, but you might not know that by visiting the home page today. Visitors to the site see the auction schedule by date, meaning that unless the visitor chooses to filter the schedule by category using a drop-down box, they must wade through live-auction listings of coins, fine jewelry, heavy construction and metal fabricating machinery until they find auction events of interest.
Later this month, Proxibid will launch eight new landing pages for each of its major categories, including "Art Antiques & Collectibles," so bidders don't have to wade through auctions that hold no interest and that, in fact, make the site a bit confusing. Along with new landing pages come a host of changes as part of a major redesign and re-branding initiative set to launch on September 22.
Proxibid CEO Bruce Hoberman said the company is setting out to increase the degree of intimacy with auction houses and bidders. The company will launch loyalty programs, including a "black paddle" concierge program for bidders who spend a lot of money on the site, and a gold service program for auction houses.
The redesigned site will be faster, easier to navigate, and will double the number of auctions it can host. Multi-bid will become the default bidding mode, enabling bidders to place multiple pre-bids at one time. Bidders will also be able to bid on multiple lots at once during online-only, timed auctions.
A new ad campaign will launch in 4 - 6 weeks, according to Proxibid's Director of Marketing Dana Kaufman, and will include online and print ads in both mainstream and targeted fine art outlets.
The company is one of a number of live-auction webcasting services capitalizing on eBay's decision to close its live-auction platform. Hoberman said that while eBay Live Auctions' closure had no tangible impact, it moves Proxibid up the food chain and gives it greater visibility as a leader in the space.
