after years of helping folks buy and sell websites I’ve seen a lot.
I’ve seen people make millions I’ve seen people lose everything.
But one thing I’ve seen consistently is a pattern of mistakes that website sellers make.
The “I Spent Money So It Must Be Worth Something” Fallacy
This is a classic trap and one I fell into myself when I first started selling websites.
We had this site that we poured $4000 into and we were convinced it was worth a lot of money.
We thought that because we’d invested so much time and money buyers would see its value.
Boy were we wrong!
The reality is value is determined by what someone else is willing to pay for it not how much you’ve invested. It’s like buying a fancy painting – it might have cost a fortune to create but if nobody wants to hang it in their living room it’s worthless.
Focusing on Potential Instead of Proven Results
Many sellers get caught up in hyping the potential of their website.
They’ll throw out numbers like “this site could easily be worth $XXXXX per month!”. It’s tempting I get it.
We all want to paint a rosy picture of the future.
But here’s the thing: savvy buyers are not impressed by potential. They want to see proof real numbers and a solid track record of success.
Think about it from a buyer’s perspective.
They’re not interested in investing in a project that might be great someday.
They want something that’s already generating income and has a history of consistent growth.
Hiding the Work Required
Another common mistake sellers make is downplaying the work required to run their site.
They might say “it’s basically a set-and-forget business!” or “it only takes me a couple of hours a week”. They’re afraid that admitting the site needs maintenance will scare away potential buyers.
But the truth is every website needs work. It might not be a lot but there’s always something to be done. And savvy buyers understand this.
In fact transparency about the work required can actually be a selling point. It shows that the site is actively managed and that you’re invested in its success.
The “Guaranteed” Income Trap
One of the fastest ways to turn off a potential buyer is to make promises about future earnings.
“This site is guaranteed to make $X per month!” or “You’ll be making passive income in no time!”.
It sounds enticing but it’s a huge red flag. The online world is constantly changing and there are no guarantees. Search algorithms update competition changes and user trends shift.
These guarantees are impossible to enforce and unrealistic.
Instead of making unrealistic promises focus on presenting realistic expectations about the site’s current performance and potential for growth. Be transparent about the challenges and opportunities.
The Anonymity Myth
I can’t emphasize this enough: be transparent and put yourself out there. I’ve seen countless sellers try to hide behind fake profiles and anonymous usernames thinking it will make them seem more trustworthy. It’s the exact opposite.
Buyers want to know who they’re dealing with. They want to see a track record of success a real person with a history of legitimate business dealings.
It’s like buying a used car.
Would you trust a seller who refuses to show you their driver’s license and doesn’t want to provide any personal information?
Building a reputation and a personal brand is essential for any online business and selling websites is no exception.
Building Trust with Transparency
So what’s the takeaway here?
- Be honest about your site’s performance. Don’t hype it up or make unrealistic promises.
- Be upfront about the work required. Don’t try to hide the fact that it takes effort to run a website.
- Put yourself out there. Don’t be afraid to show your face and share your story.
By being transparent and building trust with your potential buyers you’ll set yourself apart from the crowd and increase your chances of finding a great deal.