Building and flipping websites has become my passion and I’ve learned a lot along the way.
When I started in 2008 my goal was simple: create websites that generated passive income through Adsense.
I never imagined that this would evolve into a full-time career where I’d be building and flipping sites for a living.
Over the years I’ve had my fair share of failures and disappointments.
But eventually I mastered the art of building affiliate sites.
Initially I simply kept the sites and enjoyed the income they generated.
Then in 2014 I sold my first site through Empire Flippers earning a 20x multiple.
This was a turning point for me and I realized the potential of building and flipping sites as a business model.
Since then I’ve sold over 30 sites most of which I built from scratch.
I’ve also bought and flipped a few sites along the way.
While the idea of managing a team of SEOs and churning out sites for flipping is enticing I prefer to operate as a one-person team.
I only occasionally outsource tasks like content creation and link building.
My success has led to many inquiries on how others can replicate it.
So if you’re looking to build and flip websites without managing a team here are some tips and strategies I’ve learned over the years:
The Importance of Planning
Before into any website project I meticulously map out every aspect of the site.
I use a spreadsheet to outline the site’s architecture monetization options traffic growth strategies and flipping goals.
Think of this as a comprehensive roadmap that guides my journey.
Site Architecture
First I define the website’s overarching categories.
Then I conduct thorough keyword research to identify at least 100 topics for each category.
Even for affiliate sites I believe in building a strong foundation of informational content.
Monetization Strategy
Next I brainstorm every potential way to monetize the site.
While I primarily focus on affiliate marketing display ads private ad sales and informational products I list all possible monetization avenues.
This allows me to easily explain the site’s monetization potential to potential buyers.
Traffic Growth Strategies
I never rely solely on Google for traffic.
I proactively explore various ways to attract visitors including Pinterest Reddit and other relevant platforms where my target audience congregates.
Flipping Goals
Finally I establish both a timeline and an income target for flipping the site.
This keeps me focused and prevents procrastination.
Breaking Down the Process
Building and flipping websites is most effectively achieved through a phased approach.
Breaking down the process into smaller manageable tasks makes it less daunting.
I divide each project into three distinct phases:
Phase One: Content Creation (Months 1-3)
The initial three months are crucial for content creation.
I aim for a content sprint publishing 100 high-quality articles as quickly as possible.
After reaching this milestone I continue publishing new content but at a more relaxed pace.
Phase Two: Traffic Growth (Months 4-6)
During months four to six I focus on diversifying traffic sources beyond Google.
This often involves utilizing platforms like Pinterest and Facebook.
I also consider building an email list to nurture leads for future marketing efforts.
Phase Three: Leveling Up (Months 7 to Sale)
The final stage lasting from month seven until the site’s sale (typically between months 18 and 24) emphasizes site optimization.
I conduct a comprehensive audit to identify areas for improvement such as link building content expansion monetization enhancement and traffic stream growth.
The Power of Outsourcing
While I strive to be a self-sufficient team of one I recognize my strengths and weaknesses.
I’m not particularly good at guest post outreach so I outsource this task entirely.
It’s time-consuming and outsourcing saves me valuable time and effort.
I believe in outsourcing strategically rather than hiring full-time team members.
This allows me to focus my resources on tasks that directly contribute to the site’s value.
The “Team Lazy” Approach
As a one-person team I’m always on the lookout for efficient low-effort strategies.
I call this the “Team Lazy” approach – maximizing return on investment (ROI) with minimal effort.
Internal Linking
Years ago I discovered that one internal link is as valuable as three guest post links at least in my niches.
This is a Team Lazy win because internal linking is easier faster and cheaper than obtaining guest post links.
Aged Domains
Building on high-quality aged domains is another Team Lazy shortcut.
My Project Tartarus case study on Skipblast which utilizes an aged domain has seen phenomenal growth reaching 20000 monthly visitors in just five months.
Scaling Your Operation
With current site multiples exceeding 30x and even reaching 40x it’s tempting to build multiple sites simultaneously.
But I prefer to focus on quality over quantity.
Balanced Growth
I only build one to three sites per quarter.
Anything more than that feels overwhelming as a one-person operation.
For beginners I recommend building no more than one or two sites per year until you develop a consistent workflow.
Avoiding Shiny Objects
The SEO world is full of shiny new tools services and methods.
It’s easy to get distracted by the latest trends but don’t fall for the hype.
Most of these tools are unnecessary and won’t significantly impact your site’s value.
Essential Tools
Focus on a core set of tools that get the job done effectively.
I’ve learned to avoid unnecessary distractions like rank trackers.
Organization is Key
Without a structured system managing a portfolio of websites can quickly become chaotic.
I rely heavily on organization to maintain my productivity.
Master Spreadsheets and To-Do Lists
In addition to the comprehensive spreadsheet for each site I utilize Dynalist to create master to-do lists.
Dynalist provides a high-level overview of my website progress.
Notebook for Daily Tracking
I also keep a Moleskine notebook by my keyboard to jot down tasks for each site during the week.
This notebook serves as a quick reference guide.
Avoiding Common Mistakes
Over six years of building and flipping websites I’ve made countless mistakes.
Here are three common errors I’ve encountered that held me back initially:
Seasonal Niches
Seasonal niches like water sports may seem lucrative due to the high price of equipment.
However they tend to generate significant income only during peak season resulting in poor performance during the rest of the year.
Selling websites in seasonal niches often takes longer than selling sites in evergreen niches.
Fad Niches
Avoid niches that are based on short-lived trends or fads.
Remember 3D video cameras and TVs? While popular for a short period they quickly lost momentum.
Don’t waste your time on fleeting trends.
Cheap Content
While it’s tempting to hire writers for pennies per word this can ultimately hurt your site’s valuation.
Potential buyers are less willing to pay for websites with low-quality content that requires extensive rewriting.
Investing in high-quality content not only attracts buyers but also leads to faster sales at higher prices.
Mastering the Craft
If you’re interested in building and flipping websites start slowly and master one aspect of the process before moving on to the next.
Once you’ve established a solid foundation in all areas you can gradually scale your operation.
With consistent practice and a well-defined strategy you can build a profitable business model that allows you to generate substantial income from building and flipping websites.