In May 2012, an individual purchased a website, referred to here as "the site," for $100,000, which subsequently won a notable award for its sales success. Initially generating around $3,000 monthly through advertising, technical issues later resulted in a significant drop in revenue to approximately $300 per month. The owner does not actively advertise or promote the site, relying solely on natural traffic, which has diminished following changes in Google's algorithm. The site features social media accounts with a combined following across Facebook, Twitter, and Google+. Expenses include $250 monthly for a writer who produces content, an area where costs could potentially be reduced by the buyer.
Technical improvements and active promotion could restore and possibly increase the site's revenue and traffic. The owner mentions the possibility of selling sponsored posts as an untapped revenue stream. Additionally, issues with copyright regarding images used in past articles pose a risk for legal action, a concern that could be addressed by either removing or attributing copyrighted images.
The site is currently hosted with a managed service handling upgrades and security, but its performance has been affected by the use of third-party ad services. Although not under contract, current hosting arrangements offer flexibility. The sale includes the main site and 13 other similar websites that the owner has not actively promoted. Due to owning numerous sites and potential legal risks, the seller is motivated to transfer ownership to someone who can more effectively market and manage these properties.
Flippa’s platform is free for buyers. Here are our tips for first-time buyers:
Before making an offer
1. Look for verified sellers. Sellers should verify their email, phone, and government ID. When a seller has completed all verifications, we identify them with a checkmark like this:
2. Review financials. Financials are seller-provided inputs. Always ask for verified financials. Ask for a tax return or request access to their dashboard. if it’s an ecommerce store get a transaction report.
3. Review traffic. Sellers can grant you access to Google Analytics. Ask for read-only access to verify site traffic.
4. Schedule a call. Communication is key. The best way to find out more is to speak directly with the seller. For your protection, keep all communication within Flippa.
5. Make the offer on Flippa. We’re here to help. Flippa does not charge buyers and by making an offer on Flippa you’ll get access to our post-sales support team.
1. Agreements & Contracts.
Connect with a US-based lawyer or purchase asset-specific template legal documents via Flippa Legal.
2. Conduct Due Diligence.
You can conduct this yourself, or use our new official due diligence service. We provide a deep analysis, identify hidden risks, and independently assess the value of the business. Packages start at $1,000. Learn More