Simple Auctions 4.0 Is Here: Auction Lots, Buyer Fees, Analytics and More

We’re excited to announce Simple Auctions 4.0, the biggest update to our WooCommerce auction plugin so far. This release turns Simple Auctions from a single-auction tool into a complete auction platform. You can now run multi-item sales with sequential closing, charge buyer fees, track performance, and give bidders a faster, smoother experience.

Here are the highlights.

Auction Lots: run real, multi-item auction events

The headline feature of 4.0 is Auction Lots. Group multiple auctions into a single event using the Auction Lot product type.

• Sequential closing with sessions, plus pause/resume controls
• Cron automation to keep everything running on schedule
• A lot results dashboard with summary statistics
• Winner order creation, combined lot orders and relisting controls
• Lot display shortcodes and a new Elementor Auction Lots archive widget
• Lot Live email notifications and watchlist placement options

Buyer fees and seated auctions: new ways to monetize

Simple Auctions 4.0 gives you more control over how your auctions earn money.

Buyer fees can be fixed or percentage-based, charged per auction or per order. You can override them for individual auctions and lots, and they work with WooCommerce tax classes.

Seated auctions require a product purchase (a “seat”) before a customer can bid. An optional progress bar shows how many seats are filled.

Paid-auction relisting is now configurable, too.

Auction Analytics

See how your auctions perform without leaving WordPress. The new Auction Analytics gives you the numbers you need to understand what works and what doesn’t.

A better bidding experience

Bidders get a faster, clearer interface:

• AJAX bidding, including bid forms directly in shop loops and product cards
• Bidding information on product pages: rules, bid increments and anti-sniping details
• Badges for Auction, Lot, Winning, Outbid, Sold, auction type and bid count
• Live winning/outbid badges, reserve status and proxy bid notices
• My Account settings for bidder preferences
• An option to lower a normal proxy maximum within permitted bid limits

Easier management for store owners

• A dedicated Auctions admin menu with auction and lot lists and quick-create links
• Visibility settings for auctions and lots in the shop, archives, search, shortcodes and admin product lists
• Sample auction/lot CSV data to get started quickly
• Object caching options and stats under Settings > Tools
• Optional secret token protection for external cron jobs, plus an external cron status screen

WPGenie account and licensing

Version 4.0 introduces WPGenie account and Site Key activation, with staging site registration and licensed WordPress updates. Eligible active licenses also get a new Support submenu showing ticket status and unread replies, right inside your dashboard.

Reliability, security and compatibility

Alongside the new features, 4.0 includes a long list of fixes and improvements:

• Sequential lot timing, sessions, pause/resume, countdown sync and anti-sniping overrides
• Ended auctions and lots are now locked, and can be restarted through Relist
• Relisting preserves paid orders and order history, including Buy Now orders and HPOS admin links
• Better sealed-bid confidentiality, bid validation and request protection
• Improved database query performance and caching
• Fixes for block theme templates, archive titles, breadcrumbs, badges and countdown display
• Corrected activity and winners CSV exports

Upgrade-safe: existing Simple Auctions settings, bid records, order links, shortcodes, widgets, Elementor settings, theme template overrides and hooks are preserved during the database upgrade.

Requirements: WordPress 6.2 or later.

You can get WooCommerce Simple Auctions 4.0 in our store.