Hi, I'm considering selling a web site I have had for quite some time, which has a list of over 700. The list is a double op-in list. However, my question relates to what happens with this list when transferring a web sites ownership. For example, I use Aweber for my list management, and so if I sell my web site, how does the owner get the list as part of the purchase? Or is this the purchasers problem and not mine? Cheers Dean
Well to answer your question, if your selling the mailing list as part of the business, it's the "seller's problem". I would look into possibly transferring ownership of the mailing list account at Aweber.
Yeah agreed, but it is sometimes hard to find the right place to start a thread - I get confused, so I will offer a bit of grace About the list, it depends on how fresh the list is. A list of 700 isn't that much to rave about if it has taken you 3 years to get it. If it is only a few months old, that list is more valuable. Also depends on the niche. I would hope that you are not selling your list, just to make money though - because those people have trusted you, by signing up and giving you their email addresses. If you sell their emails, you are going to get a very bad online name, which can come back and bite you on the ass for years to come.
Hi scart3r, I must admit, I have found this whole selling of web sites to be a bit of a nightmare, not to mention this mystery that seems to come with it, i.e. there's something fishy going on. I've been trying to sell www.wildfigurines.com for maybe two months now and it has really confused me as to the lack of vision. For example, two years ago I bought a cleaning franchise for $5000. It had two clients and came with an income of around $300-400 a month (from memory). I had no problem selling it 6 months later. My wildlife figurines web site makes say half that (net), and has a client list of close to 180, yet is not getting the interest I thought it would. I did learn that at first I was probably asking too much, and so have lowered the price, but still, nothing concrete - to me it's a legitimate business but it doesn't come across to me from a lot of the questions etc I get asked. The web site in question (the one with 700+ emails), is a trading resource site (www.atradersuniverse.com). The list is less than a year old, but I must admit - the point you make about getting a bad name - I never really thought about that and the thought of that horrifies me. But it just brings back the same feelings I am having with my wildlife site, and that is I am just selling a legitimate business and am perplexed as to why I am having these feelings. Just to answer your question regarding selling, I am not out to just a sell a list, it is a whole business which comes with a list, among other things. But if selling a whole business is going to create legal issues then obviously buying and selling online businesses has a long way to go before it becomes a standard practise. I also think it's worth mentioning that my reasons for selling are to free up resources for a newer direction we are taking. I am currently studying to become PS146 compliant as an advisr to the financial makrets and am looking to build a business around that, and my wife and I are also looking to get into real estate. The last two years have been fun and a learning curve, however I do not wish to focus all my energies on the internet anymore, which has been my focus since 2005. I really should have posted this in the General section - is there a way to get this moved from this forum? Regards Dean
Hi Dean, You can report the post (click at the top) and leave a message to say that you want it moved About the site. If you are selling the site, then it's assumed that the member list will go along with it. I think if you make sure that you find a good home for it - ie. someone that is going to treat your members well, then you should be fine. I think the main issue arises when you build up several sites a year, with the main intent being to sell them off - and not caring who they are sold to. You wont get a bad rep if you are selling a legitimate site, and keep your members informed of the developments. This will also be a great chance for your members to trust the new owner, if they have your endorsement.
Hi again, Thanks for that I have asked for it to be moved to general business. You also make a vaild point about finding a good buyer - which is something that I really want with my wildlife site. I don't want someone purchasing it who wants a business that runs on auto pilot, which seems to be the majority who have shown any interest. And as with my trading site, it would really only suit a trader (as i am). I tell you another thing I have learnt and that is I will not deal with anyone unless they are willing to talk on the phone!! That I'm sure will weed out a large proportion. Best Dean
Yeah, the phone thing is a good point, but keep in mind that it's a www - sometimes it's just not convenient for people on the other side of the world to discuss matters on the phone. If they live just in another state or something though, yeah - be cautious
hmmm, this may work in America, but if you use this as a general rule then you will lose MANY potential buyers. I live in Spain, and calling outside of Spain costs a fortune. Even if you call me, i still get charged Also, the line quality can be pretty poor for long distance calls, and let's not forget, some people don't like speaking to strangers on the phone. Strictly doing phone calls is a step backwards IMO. Anyway, I have answered Dean's original questions below. Selling a site with an opt-in list Feedback would be great
Hi Dean, That comment was born out of frustration more than anything, but I don't plan on making a habit of selling web sites, One guy offered to buy my WF site at my but it now price on Sitepoint, and wasted 7 days of my auction time, which I can not get back. Communication was terrible. Cheers Dean
Fair point. There are MANY time wasters. The best option is to host all the stats online. Cover all the basics and there is no reason for a buyer to ask any further questions. PS: I will get back to you regarding our chat
Here is the response from Aweber, but as Dean said, there is still the issue of the re-opt-in, that needs to be considered. Having said that, if I was to sell my web site I wouldn't need Aweber anymore, and so what's stopping someone from taking over my account? Really, all they have to do is change ownership of the account name and charge details. Anyway, awebers response That list could be exported within seconds. Literally about three clicks using the export function. When you view your subscribers at the "Leads" page of your account, you will see a Microsoft Excel icon just above the list of addresses. Click on that icon to download your leads in .csv format.
The ease of transferring the list was never in question. The loss of leads is the main issue. Your solution is certainly one that could be considered, there is one major drawback though... for anyone who already owns an aweber account, they would have to then start paying twice as much.