Transferring Clickbank Product Ownership
Posted on May 12th, 2010 by Luke Moulton
The following guest post from Carolyne McCourtie (aka Caro), explains how she transferred the ownership of a Clickbank product when she sold her website on Flippa.
I recently sold one of my niche businesses on Flippa. I was a first time user of the Flippa service and it was the first time I have sold one of my businesses.
So it was completely new territory for me.
I made sure, before I posted anything on Flippa, that the transfer over of a complete business from myself to a new owner would go seamlessly.
This meant contacting my Web Host, Aweber and also Clickbank (it was a downloadable information product that I was selling). I want to say that ALL of these providers were extremely helpful and well versed on how to execute it for you within their particular interface.
In this post I am going to highlight my experience with Clickbank.
I could finish the post right now by saying that…it went extremely well! However I’ll give you a bit more detail than that
I fortunately had this particular business I was selling in the one account. NOW, if you have a business you are selling in a combined Clickbank account (so you sell products for other niches), I would advise that you open a new account and put the business you want to sell in that.
I had already done that – I have several Clickbank accounts all for my different niche topics, as I have built my businesses with the end in mind – selling them.
To create a new account, honestly, is just a few moments of perceived hassle. Yes you do need to get approved again for your sales page and download page. And that’s not a bad thing. You’ve done it once, you can do it again. You should be doing the right thing anyway.
This is something I recommend the buyer does before listing on Flippa. It is a selling point to say that your Clickbank account is easily transferable – and it is, if it is a standalone account for that business.
When I contacted Clickbank beforehand they assured me it was easily executable to transfer one account to another person.
When the sale went through I contacted my Account Manager at Clickbank, copying the new owner and asked for the specific instructions. The instructions I received back were well laid out, clear, and easy to follow. Included were steps for me to take as the current account owner, including getting some specific information from the new owner to insert into my account.
Then once that was done, and at this point the account is no longer in my name and I no longer have access, the new owner instead logs in and makes the changes required.
Honestly – once we both received the instructions. It literally took 5 minutes for the exchange to happen.
So for those reading this, whether you are planning to sell, or looking to buy. It is absolutely a seamless process when exchanging ownership.
The main thing with Clickbank is for the owner to put the niche business they’re looking to sell into another Clickbank account prior to listing. And for the prospective buyer – make sure you ask that question.
It’s not a deal breaker if they haven’t. It will just delay the transfer – and absolutely you should not as the new owner have to get a new account with Clickbank and go through the approval process yourself. I firmly believe this is the seller’s responsibility to have set up.
If you the seller, want good money for your business, make sure you have done everything to make it easy for successful bidder to own.
Finally to close – I can not commend Flippa and also all the service providers involved with my business, enough.
Gone are the days of being a cowboy online. This is the arena of professionals – and it is great to see them behaving that way, and providing excellent service in their chosen fields!
Best to you,
Caro
Caro is a successful niche marketer and is part of Ed Dale’s Thirty Day Challenge teaching team and also the co-creator of the Offline Consulting Training Program, Offline Hero’s Method.
Comments (35)
Comments are closed.
May 12, 2010 - 3:45 pm
Its always been a pretty simple process to me.. I get the buyers info, add it to the account then give them the password and tell them to change it and thats it.
May 12, 2010 - 3:58 pm
Don’t own any Clickbank products. Maybe one day. Sounds like it’s not shady. Interesting Post!
May 13, 2010 - 1:33 am
Very informative and helpful post. Thanks for sharing the information Caro:)!
May 13, 2010 - 3:10 am
One issue that I’ve encountered with this technique is the tax issue. When I bought my site, the clickbank account was transferred but all the revenue (including previous owner’s portion) was on my income report for tax purposes. Clickbank told me to ignore what wasn’t mine, but didn’t issue a revised report. So, buyer beware of the tax implications…
May 13, 2010 - 3:19 am
Hi Caro,
So if I understand this right, you create a new clickbank account for each of the affiliate sites you run, right?
Do you know if there’s a limit on the maximum number of accounts?
Creating an account to sell off with the website sounds like a good practice. Thanks for sharing.
Cheers,
Gwynn
May 13, 2010 - 1:14 pm
Hi Gwynn,
Apologies for the delay in responding – meetings, meetings
I have a Clickbank account for my different and unrelated Niche Info Products. As I created them with the end in mind – to sell them.
I have an account that is ALL for any Affiliate marketing I do.
You would have to contact Clickbank directly to enquire about a limitation.
They are aware of my accounts – as I have an Account Manager over all of them. And they are moving to a Master Account system.
Best
Caro
May 13, 2010 - 3:27 am
Very cool hint for me on future monetization avenues.
Thanks!!
Marc.
May 13, 2010 - 3:30 am
Great post. I’d also be interested to hear about your experience with the Aweber component. I’m looking to sell a site with a list, but it’s in an Aweber account that has other lists I own too.
May 13, 2010 - 1:17 pm
Hi John,
Aweber were a dream as well!
I was SO impressed with both CB and Aweber.
They worked with both myself and my buyer – and made it an easy move – and no leads were lost for my buyer.
I have to say – given that was my first experience, I felt like a satisfied customer with both.
And a bit more detail – they removed the related lists from an account that had many different lists – and moved those to my buyers Aweber account (they bought a Aweber white label account to get the same price I pay for my monthly Aweber account, and it was still doable and an easy process).
Best
Caro
May 13, 2010 - 3:42 am
Thanks for the info. I recently won the winning bid for a site and need info.
As for flippa.com, last week I was on the site about a hour or more. I had searched about 12 pages or so when unexpectably my computer was hacked. I have McAfee but don’t remember seeing the warning icon until later. McAfee charged me almost $90 to get the problem off my computer. It was very upsetting to me. So I don’t feel as safe using flippa.com now. I reported it to flippa.com and basically it was blown off.
May 13, 2010 - 1:19 pm
Hi Linda,
I’ll leave the security side of things on Flippa to be answered by Luke or his team.
But what I thought when reading your post was…Get a Mac!! :p
(yes I am a Mac-o-phile
)
Caro
May 13, 2010 - 2:36 pm
Linda, we’re very conscious of security on Flippa.com however, we can’t vouch for the sites listed on Flippa. As with all web surfing, it pays to ensure you have up to date security software installed, or as Caro suggested, a Mac!
May 13, 2010 - 4:13 am
Hi Caro,
This was a very informative post you made. Clickbank is really on top of their stuff and has alwawys been a big help to us. Aweber support is great as well, and if you ever need to transfer a list just contact them and they will show you exactly how to do it!
The great thing about these companies is they are so helpful that selling a site is now more streamline than ever.
Great post,
-Nick
May 13, 2010 - 4:46 am
Thanks for this helpful insight.
I’m very curious I wanted to list a product on clickbank but because it has two versions I thought of going with paydotcom.
However I’m afraid will this affect the value of my business when I decided to sell it?
Will I get more out of the business going with clickbank or does it not matter?
Is part of the value in having an approved clickbank product.
Thanks in advance,
Benjamin
May 13, 2010 - 1:24 pm
That’s a great question Benjamin.
I have another niche that I will be selling at some stage (maybe in a years time).
I use both Clickbank and Paypal – as I have a Membership Program via Paypal attached to that niche (as I set it up prior to CB offering subscription services).
I would hand them over that Paypal account- as knowing how that interface works, I would expect it to be doable.
Or could you have two CB accounts for each version? As I am guessing you are wanting both versions on the Marketplace.
I would explore that option too.
I don’t think it ‘matters’ as in it’s prescriptive who you go with. I think just set up your business so it can be transferred with ease.
If paydotcom are of interest to you – why not ask them the question of transferring accounts?
Best
Caro
May 13, 2010 - 5:50 am
good advice, and thanks. But for almost a decade now, I’ve been steering away from Clickbank’s obsessive control, high transaction fees, and slapdash affiliate tracking.
Wishing all the best
Dan B. Cauthron
May 13, 2010 - 5:55 am
Good information. Does anyone know how to transfer a PayPal-based site with monthly recurring payments? That would be an excellent topic to discuss next.
May 13, 2010 - 1:29 pm
Hi Ansel,
I’ve touched on it in another reply. I do not think this would be an issue.
The steps I would explore (and I would speak with Paypal first to confirm – make sure you ask for a Supervisor, as their basic staff are not equipped with thinking beyond a set brief).
I have found when I speak to the right person – Paypal can do A LOT more than the basic customer service person suggests they can.
I have a Paypal account with my business partner in the US. And Paypal were shutting us down because her IP address is different to mine.
So any time she was paying off one of our contractors – the account got a limitation put on it.
After this happening 3 times, and our blood really coming out the tops of heads hotter than a volcanoes at this time, I got an EXCELLENT senior adviser who sorted it out for us.
So Paypal are responsive to businesses – as given they are an online business, they do understand online businesses – or the senior team do – not the basic call center!
Best
Caro
May 13, 2010 - 6:42 am
Thanks, Caro! I’m also working on a product to sell on Clickbank with the intent to create a website and sell on Flippa – a great combination. I’ll save this article for future use.
Again, thanks!
May 13, 2010 - 6:52 am
This is professional information and helpful post. Thanks for sharing the information.
May 13, 2010 - 12:48 pm
Excellent advice. You’ve done your homework and that’s always a plus. And because you are forward looking, I anticipate seeing your success in selling sites and/or blogs.
May 13, 2010 - 12:51 pm
Hi Caro,
thanks heaps for the information. I have one question. Are you able to create the new clickbank account, get your product preapproved before selling but hold off on paying the $49.95 fee? I notice that some sellers state that the customer will need to pay the activation fee and yet they state the product has been approved etc?
May 13, 2010 - 5:39 pm
Hi Shaz,
I am not sure why you may be concerned about paying the activation fee?
I recommend that with your niche businesses, you begin with the end in mind, or as I did, I modified with the end in mind.
So about 2 years into that particular business, I realized it would be better to get a separate CB account. I had no problem with paying the $49 as I was using their services. As it’s a separate account – so separate management of it etc.
So to me that is completely fair and reasonable. I am happy to pay for the value I receive in return.
I would never ever ever consider passing that cost onto my buyer – ever
Caro
PS: did you get that is was ever?!
May 13, 2010 - 2:59 pm
It would be interesting to know how you agreed payment terms and if you used an escrow service.
May 13, 2010 - 5:43 pm
Hi John B,
I used Paypal and I was extremely happy with the whole transaction.
I am not someone who has a fear mindset. And I had done my ‘homework’ with my buyer beforehand – we had built up a good working interaction/relationship via email.
Plus I guess I am ‘known’ via 30DC – so my integrity is I guess validated that way. And my buyers were lovely.
I guess because I believe in the Law of Attraction I am not concerned about bad experiences, without being ‘silly’ about it.
Best
Caro
May 13, 2010 - 9:28 pm
Speaking of, currently selling http://ps3fixer.com on Flippa.
It’s a CB product, so the article was pretty helpful.
Keep it up!
May 14, 2010 - 9:04 am
Thanks for the great tips and advice, just in time that I was figuring out whether to use all in the same account or have it separately.
May 14, 2010 - 11:34 am
Love your work Caro… you going to San Diego?
May 14, 2010 - 3:25 pm
Hi ya Dave,
I certainly am, and looking forward to it!
Are you?
Best
Caro
May 17, 2010 - 12:39 am
Great read!
You’ve just inspired me to go to the next level:
I’m definitively going to build my next business having in mind to sell it, just the way you did =)
Thank you, Caro, for posting that.
Always the Best,
Marc
(MLMGuroo)
May 17, 2010 - 6:19 pm
Excellent site, keep up the good work. I read a lot of blogs on a daily basis and for the most part, people lack substance but, I just wanted to make a quick comment to say I’m glad I found your blog. Thanks
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Domain Names
May 27, 2010 - 3:01 am
You know Caro….I have lots of sites that I’m building to sell but I never thought to sell any of my niche specific Clickbank product site.
Thanks for bothering to explain it all….I’m off to do the business.
Peter
October 25, 2010 - 12:36 pm
Caro thanks for bringing this information to light. I had wondered about how to do this. I was first thinking about having different accounts in case something happened to one of them, but you have made me think twice about that.
February 22, 2011 - 11:23 pm
nice articles…
i’ve just one account on cb, but never think about making another one… thanks.. maybe i can try…
May 30, 2011 - 11:28 pm
Thanx Caro for sharing such a useful piece of info. Before this I was in dilemma about mode of payment, but after this I know my way.