How to sell an expensive website?

Hi guys,

Just a question, I am looking for a good websites broker which can handle the sale and payment of expensive websites.

Let's forget about dnforum and other stuff, how do big boys sell their websites?

Vladimir

 

www.sitepoint.com/marketplace

 

www.sedo.com

 

i've seen a few big ones go on ebay... one for $300,000+ if I remember correctly.

 

Do a Google Search website brokers, domain names for sale etc., you'll find something.
Good Luck!
st12

 

Ebay...LOL 300k sell on ebay would eat you alive in fee's...

 

Sedo is the broker you are looking for.

 

Do they even sell websites? I'm looking at their homepage and everything seems to be focused on domains.

 

I thought SEDO was only for domain names?

 

okay I think this thread needs to be clarified.

1) Sedo - focuses on domain sale only.
2) Are you looking for a site that will act as an escrow service?
3) If your site is THAT big, it is probably a "business" and of course there are plenty of services out there will help you liquidate a business.

We'll need some more info on exactly what kind of entity you are trying to unload.

 

There isn't one.

OK, that's a tall claim but I'll elaborate. There are different locations where you can put up a site for sale - here's a list but typically the buyers in forums like Sitepoint are looking for the cheaper sites. It's very rare that something above $100K actually sells there (or on any of the other forums). Why? Because the people with that kind of money to spend don't spend weeks and weeks in forums to find one $100K site. What do they do instead?

People looking to invest a larger sum of money in buying a web business would likely employ a broker to find one for them but even if they didn't the chances are that they'll use a lawyer, accountant and other professional help to conduct due diligence. When you're investing $100 on a site most people can afford to take a chance on it diving. Not so with $100K. (Here's a page on getting and making safe payment when buying/selling sites).

To get these buyers you'll have to have a business broker working for you - have a look at that page I linked you to before if you need help finding one. But business brokers are great with B&M - I haven't found one yet who's good with web businesses... I believe it needs some different skills.

Or you can market the site yourself. Like an business going for an IPO the CEO can expect to spend a LOT of his time working on the sale, answering questions etc. Don't expect your sale to be any different. It can become a full time job for weeks or even months.

Spend a few hours drawing up a good Sales Memorandum and/or Business Plan. Raise your profile - do something newsworthy so other sites/blogs are talking about you. Post a notice on your home page if you can. Advertise the sale in the right places. Confidentially approach competitors who may be interested in buying you out. Do lots more.

Or drop me a PM

 

Excellent advise from Froggy

 

Some great advise there Foggy.

 

Like Foggy, I'd approach businesses / people I know that could well be interested. Keep it under the radar first - it keeps you in charge. Traditional media companies pay loads - they have a budget for acquisition so don't be scared to approach the big names. Like in the UK ITV (big TV company) bought a website for millions. Big user-base + plenty of adspace = value.

 

Thanks :blush:

TOPS30, good tips.

You could use someone else to make the approach. That's usually better and doesn't come across as "desperate". That way if it falls through you don't lose any face.

The 'reunited site?

Yes, that's a good approach. You could also use trade associations e.g., your site selling legal forms could be offered to members of a Lawyers' Association.

Don't forget SEO. Create a page with all your typical keywords plus terms like "site for sale", "selling this site", "this website for sale", "buy this website" etc... to catch those buyers who do searches like this.

Professional presentation of your site is vital. Employ a good accountant to re-do your last three years worth of accounts. You did them to the rules imposed by the government but it needs to be redrawn to show the "real" profit. For example, you bought computer equipment worth $30,000 that is going to last you 10 years but, as the taxman allows 33.3% depreciation p.a. you charged $10,000 a year to your P&L account. You can redraw your accounts showing just $3,000 per year in depreciation i.e. $9,000 depeciation over three years. The net advantage is that you now have $21,000 more profit than you had five minutes ago

Get a good accountant!

 

Yes, you could offer someone who's "been there, done that" and has plenty of M&A contacts a cut of the deal. It'll have to be a decent cut if you want to interest someone with real skills and contacts though. Could be worth it if the site is 6 or 7 figures I guess.

 

Sorry to contradict, grobar, but Sedo also deals in the sale of complete websites. See the details on this page: http://www.sedo.com/services/s_sellproject.php4?tracked=&partnerid=&language=us

 

Foggy has now covered another essential factor Accountants!

 

Try greatdomains.com if it's a high value domain name. Sold a few trough them.

 

i think DNF has a forum just for very high value site and domain sales...