Getting started

Setting up AuctionCake takes four steps. None of them require a developer, and you can do all of them on a call with us if you'd rather not go it alone.

1. Your organization and event

We create your org and your first event, set your subdomain (your-event.app.auctioncake.com), and apply your logo and colors. You confirm the event name and date.

2. Pick your payment processor

Choose Stripe or Square — whichever your nonprofit already uses. You connect your account once through a guided flow; money goes straight to your bank, and we never touch it. See Integrations for what each provider needs.

3. Add your content

Ticket types, sponsor levels, and auction items. Each has its own admin page with a short form. Start with whichever module you're selling first — tickets usually go on sale before anything else.

4. Run a test event

In test mode, buy a ticket and a sponsorship with a test card, then watch the payment land and the receipt arrive. Nothing in test mode touches real money. When it all looks right, flip to live.

Detailed step-by-step guides for each of these land here as the docs fill out. In the meantime, book a setup call and we'll walk you through it.