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How to Sell a Website with Experienced Business Brokers

Posted by Lassiter Mason in Articles
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How to Sell a Website with Experienced Business Brokers

 

 

If you are wondering how to sell a website, you might think your first step is to think about how much the site is worth, but in all actuality, your first step is to align yourself with experienced business brokers who have been in the industry for a long time. While there are many online calculators that can help you get a general idea of your website valuation, they cannot give you an accurate enough one to place it in the marketplace with any confidence.

Understanding Business Brokers

From small ventures to larger enterprises, a business broker is a professional or firm in charge of providing support during the buying and selling of companies. Their expertise lies in guiding business owners through the selling process, and they act as liaisons between buyers and sellers. Transferring business ownership can be a lengthy and intricate procedure, and the broker plays an integral role when an owner is going through the complexities of the transaction.

Business brokers typically handle a variety of tasks. They help prepare the business for sale, promote it to potential buyers, and assist in finalizing the sale. Let’s take a look at the specific responsibilities they undertake during a business sale.

Preparing Your Website for Sale

Selling websites can be a highly profitable online venture, with a site potentially valued at 20 to 50 times its monthly net profit. But if you sell them at an untimely point without a solid strategy to boot, you risk missing out on their full earning potential.

So, before you list your website for sale or launch a new online business, it’s best to understand how to make your site performance and metrics better and unearth the elements that drive its value. 

An online valuation tool is not enough. You need a business broker who can help you push the sale price further.

Here are the things to expect when you prepare a website for sale with a business broker:

  • Website valuation. Determine your website’s value, so you don’t put it up for sale at a price less than its worth. On the other hand, setting the price too high can turn away potential buyers.
     
  • Increase your site’s value. This can be done by observing the metrics to see which areas require improvement (e.g., improving ranking on search engines).
     
  • Prepare your website and financial report. Pull website data from Google Analytics and present your 12-month financials, such as monthly revenue.
     
  • Take a look at how to multiply your profit sources before you list your websites on website marketplaces such as Website Closers, Flippa, and Empire Flippers.

The Role of Business Brokers in the Sales Process

After searching for some information about how to sell your website business, a look at the entire process can feel overwhelming. When you’re putting it up for sale, there will be functions required, including valuations, narrowing down interested buyers, and due diligence, all of which cannot be performed on your own. 

The good thing is that you don’t have to, because business brokers can properly perform all of these procedures. Here are the things to expect during the sale process with your broker:

  • They ensure your business is valued correctly. Brokers set up the sale for success through preparations and bridging the seller with the right buyers — those who are authentically interested in acquiring the business. On the other hand, they present buyers with a list of companies with the set of qualities they’re looking for.
     
  • After determining which types of website and the popular niches the site falls under and its value, the broker can start promoting your site to interested buyers. First, the business broker will help you write a detailed and polished overview of the business’s main strengths, standout features, and selling points. Promotions remain confidential to ensure your company maintains or even increases its value.
     
  • An experienced business broker brings a wide network of potential buyers to the table, from investors and aspiring business owners to other companies. They use their connections to find the perfect buyer for your business. Plus, they’ll make sure any interested buyers are serious and financially ready. This might involve reviewing financial documents or doing background checks, all to ensure you find a solid fit.
     
  • After you are set on dealing with a qualified buyer, the business broker steps in to facilitate the negotiation process. The broker will discuss the purchase price, payment terms, and any contingencies that might occur. A broker’s primary role is to advocate for the seller’s interests so that the deal leans in your favor. With their market expertise and experience, you’ll be presented with the proper pricing and sale conditions. They also manage the often intricate and time-consuming negotiation process. This will give you the chance to focus on what you prioritize as an owner.
     
  • Due diligence is a necessary aspect of selling a business, and a business broker’s guidance is indispensable during this phase. This process involves looking into a business’s track record, and financial and legal documentation to confirm that everything is in good standing and that no hidden issues could pose challenges for the buyer. For sellers, a broker assists in gathering and organizing every paperwork and financial record, making sure they are precise, current, clean, and readily available.
     
  • The broker facilitates the closing of the deal by collaborating with both parties to check that all due diligence documents are filled out correctly and processed smoothly. They assist in drafting and reviewing legal paperwork, including purchase agreements, bills of sale, and any other necessary documentation for transferring ownership. The broker’s primary objective during this closing phase is to ensure that both the buyer and seller are happy with the agreed-upon terms, leading to a successful completion of the transaction.

Success Stories and Case Studies

How A Hearth And Patio Expert Sold His Ecommerce Business

In 2007, Jonathan Burlingham launched his eCommerce business amid the rise of online marketplaces. With a background in hearth and patio products, he saw the potential to bring his expertise online. Although it was a relatively new venture, his business quickly gained momentum and has continued to prosper over the years. After fifteen successful years, Jonathan saw the growth that a strategic partner could provide.

He believes that the buyer who ultimately acquired his company was the ideal partner for his vision.

“Tom and Website Closers were with me every step of the way,” he shares. “The quality of candidates they presented was exceptional, truly among the best available.”

From A Challenging Ordeal to A Closed Deal

“I was looking to sell my business in the spring of last year and didn’t know where to start,” RaeAnne Conat shared. She searched for companies that had gone through the process, but she found it challenging until she connected with Website Closers and began collaborating with Carson, one of their seasoned brokers.

From the outset, RaeAnne was impressed with the support and guidance she received. With Website Closers’ huge range of network and pool of potential buyers, she felt confident moving forward. RaeAnne owned Swanky Sweet Pea, a wholesale manufacturing business specializing in bath and body products. As an ecommerce operation, she struggled to understand the valuation process compared to traditional brick-and-mortar businesses.

Recognizing Website Closers’ expertise in selling ecommerce ventures, RaeAnne felt she had found the right partner. Business broker Carson’s deep knowledge of the industry and his tailored approach provided RaeAnne with the thorough guidance she needed. Together, they conducted a comprehensive valuation, ensuring her expectations for the sale were met. Through his vast market resources, Carson worked diligently to identify the ideal buyer for RaeAnne’s business, leading to a successful and satisfying sale.

Choosing the Right Business Broker

If you are wondering, “Where can I sell my website?” business brokers, WebsiteClosers.com can help. They have been working in this industry for over 20 years and have a long list of client testimonials to back up their enviable reputation in the industry. 

Want to know more about how to sell your websites? Contact the professional brokers at Website Closers today by calling 1-800-251-1559 to set up a free consultation.

800-251-1559