Guide to Selling Websites
Got a website you want to sell? Maybe you lost interest in it, maybe you want to focus on other things, or maybe you just want to make some profit and get another website… All of this is fine, but how are you going to sell your website? And where are you going to do it? You can find the answers to these questions -and a lot more- in this post, where we have talked extensively about selling a website safely, for profit.
So, let’s jump into it- here is our detailed guide to selling websites in 2023
Where to Sell Your Website(s)?
One word: marketplaces. Website marketplaces are online platforms that people sell their websites and online businesses, as well as domains, apps, and more… They work as secure, regulated places where buyers meet sellers and offer services such as due diligence, brokerage, counseling, migration, etc. to make the process as safe and smooth as possible.
Obviously, as long as you want to sell your website you can do it on any platform -as it is your website!- but as the Internet is full of scammers, we strongly advise you to use a respected marketplace, to make sure you are safe. To learn more about this topic, please check out our detailed article on the best marketplaces to buy and sell websites, where we have mentioned how they work, and gave a few examples.
How to Sell a Website?
To sell a website, you need to follow these steps:
- Determine the value of your website by considering factors such as its monthly revenue, traffic, and unique features. You can use a website valuation tool or hire a professional appraiser to help you determine the value.
- Make sure the website is in good condition and ready for transfer by cleaning up any broken links, fixing any technical issues, and updating the content.
- Promote the sale of your website through online marketplaces, social media, and advertising. You can also consider reaching out to potential buyers directly.
- Once you receive an offer, negotiate the sale with the buyer. Make sure to agree on the terms of the sale, such as the price, payment method, and transfer process.
- Transfer ownership of the website by transferring the domain name, website files, and any other assets to the buyer. You can use an escrow service to ensure the safe and secure transfer of the website.
- Finalize the sale by ensuring that the payment has been received and all the agreed-upon terms have been met.
It is important to consult with a legal professional and follow local laws and regulations when selling a website. Additionally, be prepared to provide proof of ownership and financial records to potential buyers during the negotiation process.
How Much Your Website is Worth?
There are a lot of factors in play here, as you would imagine. It is generally accepted that a successful website’s worth is usually 20 to 40 times the monthly revenue it generates. So for example, if your site earns $3,000 a month, its price may go all the way up to $120,000.
Some of the main factors that affect your website’s value are:
- Revenue,
- Income model,
- Niche,
- Domain name & age,
- Visits,
- Traffic sources,
- Backlink quality…
Website marketplaces will usually provide you with an estimated price for you to list your website, but there are a lot of calculators online that you can use for this purpose as well.
Top Tips for Selling a Website
Here are our top tips for those who are looking to make a profit selling their website(s):
Always be transparent
When you are presenting your website data -revenue, visits, history, etc.- remember to always be transparent. There might be details that you don’t really like -maybe some shady backlinks in the past, old bans, etc.- but leave nothing out, and let the buyer decide if he/she’s going to buy your website as is.
Make sure you always use a secure marketplace
As we have mentioned above, you don’t want to get scammed trying to sell a website, and the Internet unfortunately is full of people looking to take advantage of others. So, to make sure you are always safe, use a trustable marketplace with a professional crew to sell your website.
Know your website’s long-term value
A lot of people buy websites for long-term gains, and you should be able to estimate the long-term value of your website. In other words, do not just value your website based on your current revenue. There is of course no rule of thumb here -as a lot of factors play a role in valuing a website, and your marketplace is likely to offer a number to you as well.
Check out other websites that are on sale to get an idea
There is no shame in being inexperienced. And if you are a beginner in buying & selling websites business, we advise you to check out a couple of listings and see how the successful websites are doing it. The way you present your website to potential buyers is very important, and studying others that are good at it is a great way to polish your catalogue.
Do not oversell it
No one really likes the car salesman attitude, let alone technology people who are rightfully tired of all the ad copy floating on the internet about almost every single thing. Yes, it is a good thing to brag a little bit, but keep it at that level- just a little bit. Things like “unique design”, “seamless navigation”, or “eye-catchy colors” don’t really mean a lot- especially if you are trying to sell it to marketers, who, by the way, get paid to write these kinds of stuff in the first place. Again, there is no shame in polishing your pitch a bit, but focus on hard data- such as revenue, organic visits, domain authority, which mean a lot more.
Do not sell your site without monetizing it
Obviously you can still sell your site without monetizing it, as having potential has little to do with monetization, but we advise you to spend some time on monetizing your website and getting a little revenue, before listing it as on sale. You don’t need to be making thousands of dollars monthly, but even having a Google Adsense ad on your website will do you a lot of good when you try to sell it- you will definitely get a lot more buyer interest.
Always be responsive
Responding quickly to potential buyers will definitely increase the chances of selling your website. So, when someone shows your website some interest, try to respond as quickly and extensively as you can. Think of yourself as the buyer- you would like to get quick answers to all your questions, right? And to be fair, this should actually be a general rule if you own a site -or a social media account- whether you are selling it or not- return the messages!
Be patient
You may have to wait. And yes, you may have to wait for a long, long time for your website to sell. Yes, a website might get sold on the day it actually got listed, but it has to be really luck -or really, really something- for that to happen. So, be patient, answer the questions of your potential buyers, and wait for the perfect one!
Selling Websites F.A.Q
Still have questions on your mind? Check out these frequently asked questions about selling a website/online business:
Q: What information do I need to provide to the marketplace to get my site listed?
A: In addition to your personal information, you usually need to inform the marketplace on your basic site details -such as your URL, the date you have bought/created the website, backlink status, etc.- your revenue, monthly costs, Google Analytics information, and so on. Little details, of course, might change based on the marketplace.
Q: How long does it take for a website to get sold in a marketplace?
A: There is no single answer to this question, as it depends on a lot of things: price, niche, revenue, etc.- and obviously, luck! It is said that websites listed for less than $100.000 are usually sold quickly, but you cannot be sure. As we have said above, you need to learn to be patient about that. If you are in a rush, you might want to try auctioning, as it is considered a quicker way to generate interest.
Q: Who handles the migration after I sell my website?
A: Some marketplaces handle the migration themselves, to make things easier for everyone- Empire Flippers is an example. On the other hand, some marketplaces do not offer this service, and expect the seller & buyer to work it out together. If you wish to get website migration services after sale, do your research well, and find out if a marketplace offers these services before listing your website there.
Q: Can I list my website for sale on more than one marketplace?
A: Yes, you can; and no, you cannot. While some marketplaces are OK with this, some are not. Flippa, for example, lets you list your website on other platforms if you have a classified listing in Flippa, but not if you have an auction. (In a classified listing in Flippa, you don’t need to accept any offers from buyers, you may just refuse them.)
Conclusion
Now, you know all you need to know about selling your website. Obviously, there are minor details that will come up depending on your marketplace of choice, but it should all go smoothly if you follow the general guidelines and stay safe & fair. Don’t worry if you don’t get the deal you dream of at your first sale, as luck plays a role in these things too, and remember that as with every other thing, you will get better at buying & selling websites as you keep doing it- if that is not your plan and it is a one-time thing, try to get a good price!
