The Best Giveaway Software — RafflePress (Lifetime Deal)

Introduction

In today’s digital marketing landscape, online contests have become a powerful tool for businesses to engage their audience and grow their online presence. However, choosing the right platform to run these contests can be challenging. This comprehensive guide explores RafflePress, a popular giveaway software that offers a lifetime deal, and demonstrates how to set up and run an effective online contest.

We’ll dive deep into the features of RafflePress, walk through the process of creating a giveaway, and discuss the pros and cons of this software. Whether you’re a small business owner, a marketing professional, or someone looking to boost your online engagement, this article will provide valuable insights into using RafflePress for your next viral contest.

Let’s explore how RafflePress stacks up against other giveaway platforms and why it might be the best choice for your online contest needs.

RafflePress Overview and Pricing

RafflePress is a powerful giveaway platform that has gained significant attention in the online marketing world. Let’s start by examining its pricing structure and the lifetime deal currently being offered.

Lifetime Deal Pricing

• RafflePress is currently offering a lifetime deal priced at $359, which includes a 20% discount as part of their launch offer.
• This pricing is significantly different from traditional Software as a Service (SaaS) models, which often charge monthly fees.
• The lifetime deal eliminates recurring costs, potentially offering substantial savings for frequent users.

Comparison to Other Platforms

• When compared to other giveaway platforms on AppSumo, RafflePress may seem expensive at first glance.
• However, considering the features and unlimited use, it can be more cost-effective in the long run.
• Many SaaS giveaway platforms charge $60-$70 per month with limitations on entries, making RafflePress’s one-time fee more attractive for businesses running regular contests.

Pricing Strategy and Scarcity

• RafflePress employs a countdown timer on their sales page, creating a sense of urgency for potential buyers.
• While this tactic has been running since July, it’s unclear when the lifetime deal will actually end.
• Potential buyers should be aware that the 20% discount may be removed at some point, potentially increasing the price.

Value Proposition

• For businesses or marketers who frequently run contests, the $359 investment can quickly pay for itself.
• The unlimited use and lack of entry restrictions make it particularly valuable for high-volume users.
• When compared to the cumulative costs of monthly subscriptions on other platforms, RafflePress offers significant long-term savings.

Setting Up a Contest with RafflePress

Creating a contest with RafflePress is a straightforward process that allows you to customize various aspects of your giveaway. Let’s walk through the steps to set up an engaging contest using this platform.

Installing RafflePress

• RafflePress can be easily installed on WordPress sites.
• For non-WordPress users, a subdomain with WordPress can be set up specifically for running contests.
• This flexibility allows marketers to run contests for clients regardless of their primary website platform.

Creating a New Giveaway

• Start by adding a new giveaway in the WordPress backend.
• Choose a template that aligns with your goals (e.g., “Grow Your Email List”).
• Customize the title and add an image to represent your prize.

Configuring Entry Methods

RafflePress offers various entry methods to engage participants:

• Email Newsletter Signup:
• Can be made mandatory
• Allows for GDPR compliance checkbox
• Integrates with various email marketing platforms
• Supports HTML web forms for custom integrations (e.g., Sendy)
• Watch a Video:
• Assign points for watching a promotional video
• Easy to set up by entering the video URL
• Subscribe to YouTube Channel:
• Encourage contestants to subscribe to your channel
• Use a special URL to prompt subscription
• Refer a Friend:
• Enable viral sharing across multiple platforms
• Assign higher point values to incentivize sharing

Additional Entry Options

• Submit an Image: Useful for caption contests or photo submissions
• Polls and Surveys: Gather valuable data from participants
• Custom Questions: Engage contestants with specific queries

Designing Your Contest

The visual appeal and user experience of your contest can significantly impact its success. RafflePress provides various design options to ensure your giveaway aligns with your brand and attracts participants.

Customizing the Look

• Button Color: Easily change to match your brand colors using hex codes
• Page Background: Set a custom background color or use your existing website design
• Custom CSS: Advanced users can further customize the appearance

Display Options

• Hide/Show Total Entries: Choose whether to display the number of participants
• Show Winners: Option to display winners after the contest ends
• Limit Signups per IP: Prevent multiple entries from the same user

Branding Considerations

• Remove RafflePress Branding: Option to create a white-label contest experience
• Affiliate URL: Potential to earn commissions by keeping branding visible

Contest Settings and Rules

Properly configuring your contest settings and establishing clear rules are crucial for running a successful and legally compliant giveaway. RafflePress offers several features to help you manage these aspects effectively.

General Settings

• Set Start and End Dates: Define the exact duration of your contest
• Permalink: Create a custom URL for your giveaway page
• Time Zone Settings: Ensure accurate timing for global contests

Email Verification

• Double Opt-in: Option to require email verification for entries
• GDPR Compliance: Built-in features to meet data protection regulations

Success Tracking and Redirection

• Add tracking scripts for analytics and remarketing
• Set a custom redirect page after contest entry

Social Login Options

• Enable Facebook login for easier participation
• Reduce friction in the entry process

Security Measures

• reCAPTCHA Integration: Protect against bot entries and spam
• Invisible reCAPTCHA option for a seamless user experience

Contest Rules Generation

• Built-in rules generator to create a basic legal framework
• Customizable template to fit specific contest requirements
• Important to review with legal counsel for full compliance

Key Takeaways and Final Thoughts

After thoroughly exploring RafflePress and its features, it’s clear that this giveaway platform offers significant value for businesses and marketers looking to run online contests. Let’s summarize the key points and provide some final thoughts on whether RafflePress is the right choice for your needs.

Strengths of RafflePress

1. Versatility: RafflePress can be used on WordPress sites or as a standalone platform, making it suitable for a wide range of users and clients.
2. Customization: The platform offers extensive options for designing and tailoring your contest to match your brand and goals.
3. Integration Capabilities: With support for various email marketing tools and social platforms, RafflePress makes it easy to connect your contest to your existing marketing ecosystem.
4. User-Friendly Interface: The step-by-step process for creating a giveaway is intuitive and straightforward, even for those new to running online contests.
5. Cost-Effectiveness: While the upfront cost may seem high, the lifetime deal offers significant long-term savings compared to subscription-based alternatives.

Potential Drawbacks

1. Initial Investment: The $359 price tag may be a barrier for small businesses or individuals running infrequent contests.
2. WordPress Focus: While it can be used independently, RafflePress is primarily designed for WordPress users, which may not suit all businesses.
3. Learning Curve: Despite its user-friendly interface, mastering all features and integrations may take some time.

Final Verdict

RafflePress earns a strong 9.7 out of 10 rating, making it a top choice for those serious about running online contests. Its combination of features, customization options, and lifetime pricing model offers excellent value for businesses that frequently engage in giveaways or viral marketing campaigns.

For marketing agencies or businesses that run contests for clients, RafflePress is a particularly wise investment. The ability to create unlimited giveaways without ongoing costs can significantly boost your service offerings and profitability.

However, for those who only plan to run occasional, one-off contests, the high upfront cost may be harder to justify. In such cases, exploring other options or considering the frequency of your future contests might be worthwhile.

Ultimately, RafflePress stands out as a powerful, flexible, and cost-effective solution for creating engaging online contests. Its robust feature set, coupled with the potential for significant long-term savings, makes it a strong contender for the title of best giveaway software available.

By leveraging RafflePress’s capabilities, businesses can create viral marketing campaigns, grow their email lists, and boost engagement across various platforms. As with any marketing tool, success will depend on how effectively you use it to meet your specific goals and engage your target audience.

Remember to always stay updated with the latest features and best practices in online contest marketing to maximize the value of your investment in RafflePress or any giveaway platform you choose.