Auction House Onboarding

Drawing on experience from onboarding more than 80 auction houses across Europe, our onboarding process makes the move onto the platform clear and manageable for the team.

We work through the practical, financial and operational setup, covering everything from business planning and compliance to systems, cataloguing, premises and launch.

Throughout, a dedicated Partner Success Manager remains closely involved, bringing in specialists from across Auctionet at the right stages.

The onboarding follows a well-established structure, with the pace and focus adapted to the auction house’s size, specialism and ambitions.

Understanding the Business and Setting the Direction

Onboarding begins with getting to know the auction house, how it works today and where it wants to go. Together, we shape a clear roadmap for the onboarding, based on its goals and priorities.

Because the starting point is the auction house itself, the process is shaped around its needs and ambitions, with Auctionet acting as a partner and sounding board throughout.

KYC, AML, DAC7, Settlements and Payouts

Finance and compliance can involve a number of moving parts, so our Finance, Legal and Compliance teams are there to make this part of the move as straightforward as possible.

KYC information and identification documents form part of the initial setup, while Auctionet’s Legal and Compliance teams are on hand for questions around AML, DAC7, Artist’s Resale Right and CITES.

Auctionet’s Finance department also handles the financial administration connected to sales on the platform, including invoicing, settlements, payouts and relevant applications, taking much of this work off the team’s hands.

Our Compliance team remains on hand after launch, with guidance available whenever questions arise.

Auctionet Admin, Publishing and Practical Workflows

The next stage is about making the systems familiar and giving staff the confidence to use them in practice.

Auctionet Admin is covered through a combination of walkthroughs and hands-on sessions, including transport, claims, withdrawals, payments and sold items.

The team also works through the tools used to prepare and publish lots, including categorisation and the platform’s publishing requirements. As the first lots are added, Auctionet’s Publishers are available to answer questions and provide guidance on the publishing process.

Premises, Photography and Day-to-Day Flow

Auctionet’s Operations Specialists visit the premises and work alongside the team to cover the practical side of working with Auctionet, from photography and storage to collections, transport and dispatch.

Any specific requirements around photography and handling are also covered ahead of launch.

This gives the team a clear understanding of the operational side of working with Auctionet before going live.

First Lots, Hammer-Sale Preparation and On-Site Support

As the team begins cataloguing the first lots, the onboarding naturally becomes more hands-on. We stay close and are available for questions around Auctionet Admin, publishing, transport or other parts of the platform as the sale takes shape.

We also walk through the hammer-sale process on Auctionet and can be on site during the first live sales.

By launch, the team has already had the opportunity to use Auctionet’s systems in practice and knows what to expect from the first sales on the platform.

Website, White Label, Marketing and Buyer Reach

Alongside the operational preparation, we prepare the auction house’s presence on Auctionet and, where relevant, its wider digital presence.

This can include a new website, built with specialists experienced in auction house websites, as well as the implementation of the Auctionet White Label.

Auctionet’s Marketing team works directly with partner houses to strengthen their own brands and support growth, from launch activity and paid advertising across relevant platforms to intake strategy and local-market positioning.

Support can also extend to social media, search advertising and editorial coverage through Auctionet Magazine.

Going live marks the end of onboarding, but the start of a long-term partnership with continued support as the business develops.

Partner Success remains available for ongoing conversations and regular check-ins, with access to specialists across Auctionet whenever required. Together, we follow performance across areas such as sell-through, average hammer price, conversion and intake volumes, using those insights to inform conversations about priorities, opportunities and next steps.

With the onboarding complete and the right setup in place, your team can focus on running and growing the auction house.