Buying Websites

So You Want to Buy a Website? Here’s What You Need to Know

Hey there! If you’re thinking about buying an existing website, you’ve come to the right place. I’m going to give you the complete lowdown on website investing, so you can make informed decisions. Sound good? Let’s do this.

Looking to learn how to buy a website? My detailed course covers the ins and outs of buying content websites - from finding a site, through website due diligence and valuation to closing the deal.

Click here to learn more about the course!

What Does It Mean to Buy a Website?

When you buy a website, you’re purchasing an already established site from a seller, usually through a website broker. So the site likely has some existing:

  • Traffic and audience
  • Content
  • Revenue streams
  • Branding and assets

As the buyer, you take over full ownership and responsibility for managing the site and growing it further. Exciting stuff!

Top Reasons People Buy Websites

There are some solid motivations for buying instead of starting a brand-new site:

  • Because 90% of all startups fail, so why not buy one that’s passed that failure rate?
  • Immediate revenue & passive income – No need to wait ages to monetize like a new site. Buying brings instant cash flow.
  • Existing audience – Much faster to build on a site with users rather than starting from zero.
  • Turnaround potential – Buy an underperforming site cheaply and improve it.
  • Expand your portfolio – Acquire sites to diversify into new niches.
  • Resell for profit – Fix up and flip sites down the road.

Have a look at these articles to learn more about the benefits of buying websites:

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6 EXCLUSIVE SECRETS To Buying Websites For Passive Income [Updated]

5 Opportunities To Look For Before Buying A Website

5 Opportunities To Look For Before Investing In Websites For Profit

9 Ways Buying A Portable Internet Business Will Improve Your Life

9 Ways Buying Portable Internet Businesses Will Improve Your Life

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4 ESSENTIAL Reasons For Buying A Niche Website

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5 LIFE CHANGING Reasons For Buying Online Businesses

Set Goals Before Investing In Websites

Would Warren Buffet Set Goals Before Investing In Websites?

Potential Risks to Watch Out For

While exciting, buying sites isn’t without risks. Be aware of:

See my articles about risks and most important things related to buying websites:

6 Dirty Little Secrets Website Owners Hide

6 Dirty Little Secrets Website Owners Hide

ask yourself before investing in a website

7 Things You MUST Ask Yourself Before Investing In A Website

about buying websites for passive income

5 Common Questions Everybody Asks About Buying Websites

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Is Buying An Internet Business Risky?

buying websites on Flippa

4 ESSENTIAL Reasons To Be Aware When Buying Websites On Flippa [Updated]

4 Life Changing Things Website Investing Didn’t Teach Me That You Should Know

4 Life Lessons Website Investing Didn’t Teach Me That You Should Know

Content Website As The Usual Safe Choice

Of all the site models out there, taking time to deeply understand the content website model is a smart move when preparing to buy a website.

The reason? Content sites are one of the most common and proven successful models for existing websites for sale. Many of the sites you’ll evaluate are built around creating high-quality, optimized content focused on a specific niche.

You’ll need competency in how to:

  • Create compelling, SEO-friendly content
  • Assess existing content quality
  • Identify content gaps and topics to expand into
  • Determine if current content is evergreen or at risk of being outdated
  • Continuously produce quality content over time

The content itself is a primary asset you’re acquiring. You must understand:

  • How the existing content was produced
  • Any content issues or problems
  • The plan and process for creating future content

In summary, since content sites are so prevalent, deep knowledge of how they work will be invaluable for evaluating, operating, and growing any website you look to buy.

How to Prepare for a Smart Site Purchase

To set yourself up for success:

  • Learn valuation techniques – Avoid overpaying with accurate valuations.
  • Vet sites thoroughly – Due diligence is crucial before any purchase. Check out my Due Diligence Framework!
  • Understand site management – Know the skills needed to operate the site.
  • Make a post-acquisition plan – Have systems in place to manage and grow the site.
  • Prepare for traffic and tech issues – Have contingencies ready for any problems.

Check out our helpful tools and free resources:

Free Resources

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Website Valuation Calculator

Calculator & Coin

Website Ad Revenue Calculator

The Bottom Line

Buying an established website can be extremely lucrative, but has some risks too. With the right prep work and diligence, you can absolutely thrive with buying online businesses!

Let me know if any other questions come up. I’m happy to offer advice on getting started with website acquisitions. It’s an exciting field with tons of potential if you approach it thoughtfully.

Featured Content

Get access to exclusive content like 1-on-1 coaching, detailed SEO blueprints, and case studies on growing sites from algorithmic penalties.

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From Algorithmic Penalty to 373% Revenue Growth (Case Study)

Buying Website Guides

Comprehensive guides on buying different types of sites, like ecommerce stores, affiliate sites, and niche sites. Plus guides on valuation, due diligence, and more.

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Your Comprehensive Guide to Buying a Shopify Store

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Buying an E-Commerce Business: A Step-by-Step Guide

How You Can Start Flipping Websites For Profit

How You Can Start Flipping Websites For Profit

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10 Questions You Should Ask When Buying a Business

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Key Rules To Valuing An Internet Business

4 Steps to follow for buying a niche website

4 Successful Steps To Buying A Niche Website

Buying Website How To’s

Tactical how-to articles on buying websites, including evaluating domains, understanding lingo, never overpaying, and more.

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How To Evaluate Aged Domains

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How to Buy a Business with No Money

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How to Buy a Profitable Online Business

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How to Buy an Amazon Affiliate Website

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How To Understand The Lingo Of Buying Websites

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How To Never Overpay For An Internet Business

Where to buy websites – reviews of marketplaces:

Reviews of the top website marketplaces and brokers like Empire Flippers, Flippa, and Motion Invest. Get the pros and cons of each.

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Motion Invest Review

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Flippa Review

Buying Websites Case Studies

Real-world case studies on buying, operating, and flipping digital businesses. Learn from other buyers’ experiences.

Ep 219: [Case Study] From Flipping Houses To Flipping Websites with Gerardo

Ep 205: [Content Website Case Study] What It Takes To Buy An Online Business with Patrick

Ep 214: [Case Study] How To Beat Other Buyers & Do Due Diligence When Buying A Content Website with Robin

Ep 231: [Case Study] $0 – $2,600 Per Month In 2 Months Acquiring Small Businesses with Michael

Ep 166: [Content Website Case Study] Buying A 6 Figure Niche Website & What It Takes with Devin

Ep 161: [Case Study] Building An Online Business Portfolio To Replace Your Income with Angelica

Buying Website Podcast Interviews

Expert interviews on buying websites, replacing income through online businesses, due diligence tips, and more website investing topics.

Ep 223: Are Multiples Decreasing For Investors Who Are Buying An Online Business With Greg Elfrink?

Ep 183: Why People Fail To Replace Their Income & Make Money Online (through starting a business or buying a business) with Scott

Ep 186: Finding Entrepreneurship Freedom When Setting Up Your Business Exit With Mike Finger

Why People Fail At Buying Websites & Replacing Their Income with Jaryd Krause

Ep 209: Why People Fail At Buying Websites & Replacing Their Income with Jaryd Krause

Ep 191: Buying, Building & Selling a 7 Figure Blog with Shane Dutka

Ep 203: How To Not Fail At Making Money Online with Jaryd Krause

Common Questions (FAQ)

Is it a good idea to buy a website?

Buying a website can be a good idea if you find a quality site at a fair price, do thorough due diligence, and have the skills and resources to manage it properly after purchase. The benefits are getting an established revenue stream and platform to build upon quickly. However, there are risks to evaluate before buying a site.

Can I buy a website to make money?

Yes, you can buy an existing website specifically for the purpose of making money from it. Many people purchase sites as digital assets and passive income streams. However, you need to properly value sites, research growth potential, and have a plan to operate the site profitably after acquiring it.

Can you buy an old website?

Yes, you can buy an older, established website. Some positives are that an older site likely has good domain authority and trust built up. However, you need to scrutinize traffic trends, revenue history, and growth potential, as some older sites have "stale" content and are declining. With the right due diligence and turnaround plan, buying an older website can work out well.

All Posts in Category Buying Websites

Ep 243: [Case Study] Buying A Business Making $2600 p/mth Online Vs Acquiring A Location Based Business with Fred

Leave a Comment / Buying Websites, Flipping Websites, Podcast, Website Investing

Fred is a Buying Online Business graduate who had previously wanted to buy a traditional brick and mortar business to get out of his job as a plant manager. But he realized that those businesses would cost him 50 hours a week so he turned to buying an online business and bought a great content website that continues to grow!

Myths & Truths Of Buying Websites For Passive Income

Myths & Truths Of Buying Websites For Passive Income

Leave a Comment / Buying Websites, Passive Income

Passive income has become a popular buzzword in the world of online business. Many individuals are looking for ways to generate income without actively working for it. One strategy that is often discussed is buying websites for passive income. People are eagerly seeking ways to generate income effortlessly. Get ready to have your mind blown in this …

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Make Money Flipping Websites (Building, Buying & Selling)

Leave a Comment / Buying Websites, Flipping Websites, Passive Income, Selling Websites

If you’re looking for a profitable online venture, website flipping might just be the perfect opportunity for you. Website flipping involves buying websites, optimizing them, and then selling them for a profit. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore all aspects of buying websites, from what it is and how it works, to strategies for …

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Website Valuation Calculator

Leave a Comment / Buying Websites, Flipping Websites, Selling Websites, Website Investing

Calculate Your Website’s Worth Website Revenue: Website Cost: Multiplier: Calculate Worth Visualize this: you’ve meticulously designed a remarkable website. Over time, you’ve blended engaging visuals and content, attracting a steadily growing audience.  But now, as you look at the escalating site visits and receive frequent praises from happy users, a question lingers – how much …

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