It’s amazing how things can work out sometimes especially in the world of online business.
I’ve seen a lot in my years as a website broker but this one really took the cake.
We had a client who had been trying to sell their website for over six months and it just wasn’t happening.
They were frustrated they were discouraged and they were starting to think that maybe selling their website wasn’t even possible.
But then they came to us.
They listed their site on Empire Flippers and wouldn’t you know it they found a buyer in less than a month.
It was like magic! We were all excited for them.
So what was the secret? Well it wasn’t just luck.
It was a combination of a few key things.
The Business: A Content Site Focused on Plumbing
The business in question was a content site in the plumbing niche.
But it wasn’t just any ordinary plumbing site.
This one was well-niched down meaning it focused on a specific area of plumbing instead of trying to cover everything.
Why Niched Down Businesses Are More Appealing
This is something I emphasize to all my clients.
Think about it: when you’re looking to buy a business you want something that you can understand and manage right? You want to be an expert in your niche.
A well-niched down business gives you that.
You’re not trying to learn everything about plumbing; you’re focusing on a specific area that you can master.
It’s much less overwhelming and more manageable.
Easy to Manage: An Ideal Business for Busy Entrepreneurs
The content on the site was also strategically chosen.
It consisted of informational articles product guides and reviews that helped readers find the right plumbing parts and accessories on Amazon.
This was a brilliant move because it meant the site could generate revenue through Amazon Associates and display ads.
It was a simple straightforward business model that didn’t require a lot of complex processes or tasks.
I’ll tell you that simplicity is a huge selling point for buyers.
They’re looking for businesses that are easy to run and manage.
They don’t want to spend their time bogged down in complicated procedures.
They want something that is streamlined and efficient.
The Seller’s Journey to Building a Successful Website
The seller in this case was a real go-getter.
They started the website in early 2016 but didn’t really see much traffic until late 2018. They learned the hard way that creating content sporadically and not focusing on SEO isn’t going to cut it.
The Power of Consistent Content Creation and SEO
But then things changed.
In early 2019 they made a conscious decision to start publishing new content regularly.
They used an AI-based content planning tool to help them with keyword research content brief creation and SEO.
And it worked! Their traffic and earnings started to take off.
The keyword research ensured that the content they were creating was relevant to their target audience.
The SEO optimization helped their articles rank higher in search results which brought in even more traffic.
It’s so important to remember that consistency is key when it comes to online business.
It takes time to build up momentum and get noticed.
But if you stick with it and create quality content that is optimized for search engines you can achieve great things.
The Seller’s Frustration with the Competition
Once the website was in a good place the seller decided it was time to sell and move on to new ventures.
They researched several online business brokers and eventually listed their site on one that specializes in selling websites.
But here’s the thing: nothing happened.
The website just sat there for over six months without any buyers.
The Importance of Choosing the Right Marketplace
This is a common problem that I’ve seen many sellers face.
Not all marketplaces are created equal.
Some have a larger pool of buyers than others.
Some have better marketing and promotion.
And some are just better at matching sellers with the right buyers.
This seller learned that lesson the hard way.
It took them six months of waiting and frustration before they realized that they needed to switch marketplaces.
Empire Flippers: A Marketplace for Serious Buyers
That’s when they came to us and that’s when things started to happen.
We have a massive pool of buyers both individuals and businesses who are actively looking for websites to buy.
We have a proven track record of selling businesses quickly and efficiently.
Why Empire Flippers is Different
One of the reasons we’re so successful is because we offer a wide range of business models.
We sell everything from Amazon FBA businesses to SaaS businesses to affiliate marketing websites.
This means we attract a diverse group of buyers with different interests and investment goals.
We also have a robust marketing strategy that helps us reach a large audience of potential buyers.
We send out regular email newsletters to our list of over 250000 subscribers and we promote our listings on various social media platforms.
The Results: 103 Unlocks and a Quick Sale
When the seller listed their website on Empire Flippers they quickly saw the difference.
We had over 103 unlocks which means that 103 different buyers expressed interest in learning more about the website.
They accepted an offer from a buyer in less than a month and we were able to transfer the business assets to the new owner quickly and efficiently.
It was a huge relief for the seller and it was a testament to the power of choosing the right marketplace.
Key Factors That Make a Content Site More Appealing to Buyers
Here are some key factors that can make your content site more appealing to buyers:
1. Reduce Your Involvement in the Business
There’s a popular saying among entrepreneurs: “Work on your business not in your business.” This means focusing on growing and optimizing your business instead of getting bogged down in day-to-day operations.
When you’re selling a website it’s important to show buyers that the business can run itself without you.
Here’s why:
- Frees up your time: You can focus on other projects or ventures.
- Attracts a wider range of buyers: Many buyers are looking for passive income streams and they don’t want to be tied down to a business that requires their constant attention.
- Increases the value of your website: A well-run automated business is more valuable than one that requires constant hands-on management.
How to do it:
- Outsource tasks: Find professionals who can handle your content creation bookkeeping SEO and other essential tasks.
- Automate processes: Use tools and software to automate tasks like email marketing social media scheduling and content publishing.
- Develop a strong team: Build a team of trusted individuals who can help you manage the business even when you’re not involved.
2. Diversify Your Traffic Sources
Traffic is the lifeblood of any website.
But it’s important to diversify your traffic sources to protect yourself from Google Algorithm updates.
Here’s why:
- Reduces reliance on organic search: If Google decides to change its algorithms you could see a significant drop in your traffic.
- Creates a more stable business: You’re not at the mercy of one single traffic source.
How to do it:
- Build an email list: Capture leads and stay in touch with your audience through email marketing.
- Create a social media presence: Engage with your audience on social media and drive traffic to your website.
- Build backlinks: Get other websites to link to your content which can help you rank higher in search results.
- Run paid advertising campaigns: Use platforms like Google Ads to reach a wider audience.
3. Diversify Your Income Streams
Just like with traffic it’s important to diversify your income streams.
You don’t want to be reliant on just one source of revenue.
Here’s why:
- Reduces risk: If one revenue stream dries up you have others to fall back on.
- Increases stability: Your business is less vulnerable to external factors that could affect one particular revenue stream.
How to do it:
- Explore different monetization options: Think about display ads affiliate marketing sponsored content subscriptions and other options.
- Partner with multiple affiliate networks: Don’t just work with one affiliate network. Diversify your partners to spread your risk.
- Try different advertising networks: Experiment with different advertising networks to see which ones perform best for your site.
4. Give Your Website Time to Grow
The value of a website increases as it ages.
Ideally you should wait at least a year before selling your site.
Here’s why:
- More data to show potential buyers: You’ll have more data to demonstrate your website’s profitability and performance.
- More time for your content to gain traction: Your articles and other content will have more time to rank in search results and attract traffic.
How to do it:
- Focus on growth: Don’t just maintain your website. Keep creating new content optimizing your site for SEO and exploring new monetization opportunities.
- Be patient: It takes time to build a successful online business. Don’t expect to get rich quick.
Selling Your Website: A Streamlined Process
Selling your website doesn’t have to be a stressful process.
It can be a seamless experience with the right marketplace and preparation.
Here’s a simple breakdown:
- Create an account on Empire Flippers: Sign up for a free account to get started.
- Submit your website for sale: Provide all the necessary information about your website including its financials traffic sources and monetization strategies.
- Relax: We’ll take care of the rest. We’ll market your website to our network of buyers and help you negotiate a fair deal.
Remember choosing the right marketplace is crucial for a successful sale.
Empire Flippers can help you get the best price for your website and make the whole process as smooth as possible.
I hope this gives you a better understanding of what it takes to sell a website successfully.
It’s not just about building a good website; it’s about understanding how to make it appealing to buyers and choosing the right platform to get the word out.
Best of luck with your next venture!