Having a sportsbook website is not enough to attract and retain clients. It is crucial to consider several factors when building a sportsbook website. That way, you meet your needs as a bookie agent and your clients’ needs.
This article is about building a sportsbook website in 2022. We share the things you should do, factors to consider, and other details whose aftermath is to bring an appealing sportsbook website to life.
Gather Your Funds and Create a Budget
The first thing you need to do is gather your funds. Like other businesses, you need money to build a sportsbook website.
You might need a small, medium, or huge budget depending on who is developing your website and your needs. For example, if you will use a white-label solution or pay per head, you need a medium start-up budget.
However, if you want to launch a big sportsbook such as William Hill, you need much more money. This does not mean that a pay per head sportsbook is substandard compared to a traditional platform. On the contrary, some of the price per head bookies are better than traditional sportsbooks.
So, if you decide to build a sportsbook website with a pay per head provider or take the traditional route, create a budget for it. Consider everything you need to be featured on the website. Some features are more expensive than others.
Do not sacrifice some features to save more money. Remember, some elements are crucial to helping you run your bookie.
Choose a Market and a Niche
Before you start building a sportsbook website, choose a market. For example, do you want to launch in New Jersey, New York, Alabama, or other states?
Find the popular betting markets among your target clients. Then, pick the sports you wish to offer bets on.
You can start with one sport or more, depending on the size of your bankroll. Also, you might want to offer comprehensive betting services. This includes sports betting, casino games, horse racing bets, and live casino games.
Identifying the market and the sports you want to offer bets on will help you in building a sportsbook website. For example, if you are going to provide casino games, you cannot create your website to look like a football betting platform.
Create a Vision of Your Sportsbook Website
The other thing you need to do is create a picture of what you want. You do not have to draw this or hire someone to actualize your idea. But, you can create a mental picture of how you would like your sportsbook website to look.
Think about colors, fonts, layouts, graphics, and other details that seem not important. Figure out what type of players you want and their needs.
Consider your style, too, because you will be stuck with the website design for a while. Remember, you cannot keep changing the branding because it might confuse your clients. Therefore, it is crucial to make the right decision about a platform you will be stuck with for a long period.
Design the Website
At this stage of building a sportsbook website, you actualize your vision. If you are designing the website yourself, you might be able to bring your ideas to life. But, if you are hiring an expert, ensure that they get your picture.
Talk to someone that has actualized clients’ ideas. You can ask for referrals or reviews from previous clients. If you cannot get these, engage with your website developer at every stage to ensure they design what you want.
While at it, correct the mistake and clarify what you need. Remember to factor in your client’s needs and your needs.
Features To Include During Website Design
Designing a sportsbook website is a crucial stage. While you should consider your needs and style, it is crucial to include the most important features. Here is a checklist.
- Login button
- Payment system
- Bet slip
- Bet markets
- Broadcasting feature (optional)
- Player profile/ betting history page/ summary page
- User management dashboard for agents
- A frontend platform separated from a backend platform
Choose a Sportsbook Software
Your sportsbook will need bookie software. So, embark on finding the best and most compatible software for your website.
There are three ways you can get sportsbook software. The first is getting fully tailored software from a third party. There is no other bookie that can use this software except for you.
It is expensive software. Most sportsbook websites go hand in hand with software. The firm developing the website can be the same as providing the software.
So, you can get a fully customized website with software already integrated into it. However, you must work with a big budget. Moreover, you need to hire a maintenance crew. If you need the same seller to maintain your website from time to time, you must pay extra.
Unfortunately, when building a sportsbook website, you have to schedule maintenance services too. But, you can hire your team who will always be on the clock, ensuring your website is working perfectly. This would cost you extra, but your platform will have no downtime.
The other option is using a white-label solution. This solution is limited in regards to customization and what you need. Moreover, you will use another company’s branding and generally everything.
In return, you have to pay a specific gross income to the white-label company. Fortunately or unfortunately, the gross income you pay to the white-label company is consistent whether your clients are active or not.
The last and the best option is pay per head solution. Most providers give a sportsbook website and software. The payment process is pretty simple.
You wait until clients are betting. Then, the provider can deduct a specified fee considering the number of players that wagered during a certain period.
For example, you can pay $10 for each player that wagers this week. This player might have wagered $1000 and lost around $500. Despite that, you get to keep the whole profit minus $10.
Using a pay per head has many advantages. For example, the pay per head provider can run your bookie if you do not know how to.
There are many other advantages. These include getting a customized betting platform, valuable bookmaking tools, a payment system, a customer support system, and everything you need to run a bookie.
Finding Clients
You are not yet through building a sportsbook website until you get clients. Even then, you will not have completed the job because creating a sportsbook website is a continuous job.
So, start as early as possible to find clients. Remember to choose quality clients.
There is a specific way to go about this. First, you need to realize your target. For example, if you want to operate in New Jersey, you cannot target clients in Mexico.
Find out what your target clients want. If you come from their local area, it will be easier to learn about their needs. Then, you can market your services to your target clients.
You can even ask some of your family members to sign up with you. Attend sporting events and subtly advertise your services. For example, you can tell your new friends where you place your bets.
You do not have to openly advertise your business for legal reasons. But, you can refer new clients to your favorite betting platform.
You can also create a referral program and reward existing clients with bonuses for every new client they sign up for.
The last part of building a sportsbook website is testing and launching it. Confirm that the website is working as it should, has all the necessary features, and is suitable for you and your clients.
Bring in a few clients to confirm whether they love the product. Then, launch your sportsbook and book bets.
