Steps to Selling a Site?

I couldn't find a good guide on the order of steps you take after a buyer agrees to buy your site. (after your auction is over, or someone BIN)

From a seller's perspective, this is how I go about it:

1) Write up a simple contract, send to buyer, both agree on terms.
2) Give buyer FTP info access so buyer can transfer files
3) Give buyer Paypal (or whichever) invoice
4) Buyer pays full amount
5) Push domain to buyer


Am I missing anything or how do you guys usually do the transfer process? I know some ppl do 50% payment first, then 50% after. Pros/cons?

 

If the amount is substantial enough that you need some trust, I would do escrow.com

I've sold sites on escrow, and they take care of everything. You can get paid via bank wire, paypal, etc... The only downfall is that they take a hefty fee =/

 

Whether it is escrow.com or another escrow service, having a neutral third party involved can help protect both the buyer and the seller.

 

Website selling is big business

 

Why don't you just post the site for auction at flippa.com or SEDO.com and let them handle all these intricacies?

You will need to have all traffic data though...

 

I'm not selling a site at the moment, just like to know for future reference.

I'll look into escrow, but if doing it through PayPal, I just wanted to know more about the transferring process & order.

 

I've always used escrow.com but most sites have sold for enough that the third party was needed.
If your site isn't selling for enough to make the fees acceptable then you will need to use care or get ripped off.
I like the 50% down to push the actual site to their servers, then the other 50% to transfer the domain.
Make sure you document everything and investigate the person you are selling to. If they don't have a listed, verifiable address and phone number then I would decline the offer.

Good Luck!

 

Watch out for Paypal stolen accounts, I know of someone who pushed his domain name/website and then had the Paypal money taken back as it came from a stolen account, do not rush pushing the site give it some time to make sure the Paypal account is legit, and make it clear to the buyer they will have to wait some days after the payment.

 

That's good advise, I deal with these type of thieves on a daily basis.
Do not get in a hurry no matter how much they push or how big of an emergency it is. That is part of the tactic to get you. Just like the guy that wanted 3 PC's but needed them overnight and for some reason his phone seemed to be out of service and he had to use a friends. That and the IP being from Florida and the address New York, well I guess some people do fall for that or they wouldn't try.

If they threaten to walk for any reason then let them.

 

You may want to have a look at this thread DP has everything you need!

 

That the overall procedure.
But you can add this to it such as don't give buyer access to the FTP coz it dangerous,its much more better,you backup the file and sent to the buyer.

 

That was another thing, seller and buyer have to exchange personal info such as full name, permanent address, and phone numbers. Any other info?

Thanks, useful thread, but it was mainly detailing the steps to selling your site before you have a confirmed buyer. I'm concerned with the steps that come after.

 

Paypal is not safe. List the site for sale on flippa.com and after they win the auction use escrow.com for payment and a contract if needed.

 

Yeah Flippa is alright, lots of crap on there though, some people don't take it seriously