Hi, I have found an excellent old, rich content and excellent niche site that I would really like to own. The site has obviously been made by someone for a hobby but there are zero ads and the potential is there I feel. What would you say is the best way to approach them with a offer to buy? Thanks
Say you would like to discuss an offer to buy their site that they will really like or something. Do NOT go into numbers in the first email, that's for sure.
If they are not actively working on the site they may be so fed up with spam that they've stopped checking their webmaster email.
Check the whois for further contact information if an email gets no response. Snail mail or a phone call may get their attention.
Keep in mind at all times that the most a seller can say is no! But even after a seller says no, you may find that the seller calls you a few weeks later to say yes! This happens again and again. Never be afraid to negotiate!
Hi guys, I emailed the owner and she replied and it was as I imagined (a hobby). Since we have spoke on the phone and I made her an offer of $5,000 which I think was fair she said "she doesn't need the money and the forum is my hobby..." Basaically the site has a forum on it and she chats to her friends on there and i think its actually that she doesn't want to lose. I said keep the forum and you stay on as admin... Not heard back yet... I don't think there is much more I can do... Thanks
You might want to be careful if the site is community driven. If people feel as if the original owner is a sell out, then the whole thing could fall apart. See if you can work out a partnership of some sort. She can still run the site as her hobby and you run the business portion. Figure out a fair way to divide the profits and have a lawyer draw up a contract. Just buying the site would make for less headaches, but having someone to manage the content for the site might be worth it.