Featured Listing: Best VPN Canada

About the business

Tell us a little about yourself. What’s your background? How did you start the business?

I am in the affiliate marketing industry since 2014 and owned many sites. At a certain point, I had 14 employees and was running 18 sites. However, over time, I decided to start investing in the stock market and crypto sector and this has become my main income now. In the past year, I’ve sold most of my sites to focus on my new hobby, which is investing in stocks and crypto.

How have you marketed the product and where are your customers originating from?

The main visitor’s source is google.ca (Canada). The keyword “best VPN Canada”, which reflect my domain name is the keyword that generates 99% of the traffic.

Is the asset on your listing owner-operated, how much time does it take to run the business, who else is needed on the team, and what is automated?

Well, actually the site is on autopilot and generates ~1700$/m without any work. It is like that for over 1 year… However, the site has lost ranking because I didn’t work on it so it’s a great opportunity for someone to grow it. In its best time, the site was making 5-7K/month. The main keyword “best VPN Canada” is currently ranked #4. If someone ranks it back to #1, it will go back to 5K++ easy.

What does someone need to do to continue operating the business in its current form?

Updating the current content and adding more would be a great start. If someone has some knowledge in social marketing, it could definitely be a good way to grow this site as well. An email list could be a great method too.

Growing the business

Can you list a few opportunities for a potential new owner to continue growing the business?

Adding new content targeting Canadians and the cybersecurity niche. Since the Covid pandemic, more Canadians are working from home and there is a surge in interest in protecting themselves against internet threats. Everything that is related to cybersecurity and VPN is hot right now as more Canadians are working from home.

What has been the evolution of this asset since its launch?

When I launched it in 2016, it was a side project. It start to grow in 2019 when I really decided to grow it through new content and link building. However, since 2020, because of my other occupations, I stopped working on it. This proves that if someone wants to care for it, it can really move it to a new level.

How does this business make money? What are the current revenue streams?

The site is making money through affiliate commissions, from its different VPN partners. When I started in 2016, I had opted for recurring commissions type and until 2020, all commissions were recurring, that’s why they’re a big amount of recurring revenue actually (probably around 1K/m) and the renewal rates on VPN is excellent, like 60-70%. In 2020, I switched to CPA commissions, for a higher payout. This will be up to the new buyer to decide if he wants to keep the CPA or recurring type of commissions.

What marketing channels are most profitable for the business?

Organic (Google).

How does the business currently acquire customers and what is your breakdown for marketing costs?

Through SEO. The main cost is for content and links.

How big is your current team? How many people does it take to run this business?

Actually, I’m alone. I think this project can be easily managed by a single person.

What’s the reason for selling your business on Flippa?

New occupation. I’m now managing different investments… I’m no longer interested in the affiliate marketing industry.