SEM Tycoon

**LeeD** · 08-08-2006, 12:06 AM

How do you decide which websites to buy, and what time to sell? - JustinG

**imported_SWD** · 08-08-2006, 05:18 PM

Well first of all, I keep my eye on the market, I tend to buy sites if I find it in good prices and something unique (content) or with unique features. As I know plenty on growing traffic, if I just bought the site as an investment, I will grow them a little, keep it a few months and then sale it for possible twice the price if not more.

**imported_sji2671** · 08-08-2006, 07:03 PM

To date most of the sites I have bought I have found and secured, meaning that I did the leg work and bought them direct from owners(privately) and not from the normal buy/sell forums so that I could negotiate direct.

I would then monetise for a month to get good figures and then if I felt like flipping it I would sell, for example I found a nice site for sale that cost $6k, I bought it made around $600 in the first month then sold the site for $14k last month, it is not so much when to sell as much as finding someone that matches your valuation, personally I am sick of seeing twats posting
'that's a bit much'
'it's not worth that much'
'ooh don't you know your sites only worth 8-12x net income'
etc etc

When that happens at times I do get annoyed, geez I hate all those people with no money that love to do valuations! :taz:

Don't get me wrong when I am buying I can spin a yarn about a value but I really dislike random people trying to value a site that is many years old, I'll set the price ~ if people do not like it then it will not sell, chances are I will sell it later for the price I want somewhere else when the trolling stops as has happended in the past.

**xboxundone** · 08-09-2006, 12:45 PM

I buy sites that have potential or that i feel i can add something to to help monetize them or fit into my network of sites. Also if it is a steal i will pick it up. One site i got for 100 bucks and made that in the next 3 days from it. I find it is time to sell when i get an offer i can't refuse or i can't stand to manage the site anymore and don't want it to go to waste... or in the worst case i am strapped for cash (haven't had to do it for this reason but know many that have)

**EddieUS** · 08-09-2006, 08:01 PM

Let me address the first question...

How do you decide which websites to buy?

Here are a few guidelines:

1. How will this website fit into the big picture? Am I venturing into a new area of interest for diversification or will it supplement or compliment my cache of sites? Will I need the PR, the traffic or custom code for my other sites?

2. Can I build it for less and would I even want to? Well, if someone was peddling a site that is simply turnkey with a traffic advertising camplaign slapped on to it...then I would say pass. But, if the site is sporting a nice PR and traffic from a good mix of sources such as links and search engines and generating revenue to allow you to recoup your investment in a years time, then why not hit the ground running.

3. When I've identified a site that piques my interest, I use several metrics that I've developed to identify any possible inaccuracies or to determine whether I've found a bargain or not. For example, from past experience say I know that a humor site should generate $10 for every 2000 uniques per day. And say the seller reports that his/her site generates $5 per day but traffic is at 4000 uniques per day. Then this could be either be a great buying opportunity or be a gross inflation of traffic. Using such metrics can keep you out of trouble or find you a real gem.

**Spencer Fry** · 08-15-2006, 01:30 PM

I can say that I've honestly only ever purchased one website in my entire twelve year Internet business career. I prefer to start the website from scratch. I just feel that I have a lot more control over what's going on as well as have a complete history of the website in question.

**LeeD** · 08-15-2006, 01:36 PM

I always look at a site for sale and try to determine what immediate improvements can I make to improve the short term earnings potential, and what long term changes can I make to provide long term stability and continued growth. If I see that there is room for improvement, I will definitely take a serious look at buying the site.

Regarding the question of when to sell, I think this is a personal decision. When I sell a site it typically comes from either lack of interest, lack of time, or I have come to what I feel is the end of my ability to grow the site.

**LeeD** · 08-15-2006, 01:37 PM

Here is the week 2 question with answers from the big earners here - enjoy!

**imported_Bas** · 08-15-2006, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EddieUS

2. Can I build it for less and would I even want to?

I found this one of the best answers, thanks for that.

**Jack.** · 08-16-2006, 07:47 AM

Thanks for that guys! Again it has given me a great insight and a lot to think about.

**Sygon** · 08-16-2006, 10:25 AM

Wow. Im always learning here thanks for the advice

**getchoo** · 08-16-2006, 02:00 PM

Great stuff!

**breakpoint** · 08-16-2006, 04:13 PM

need some money before we can buy sites...

**phear** · 08-16-2006, 05:10 PM

Quote:

need some money before we can buy sites...

gotta start somewhere

Quote:

I can say that I've honestly only ever purchased one website in my entire twelve year Internet business career. I prefer to start the website from scratch. I just feel that I have a lot more control over what's going on as well as have a complete history of the website in question.

great insite all, thanks for the advice

**RoughJunk** · 08-16-2006, 06:07 PM

Lot's of great replies so far to this thread. I don't have a lot of experience selling sites but I have sold my fair share of domains, and just like domains I think it is important to not be rash when decided to purchase a site, instead evaluate the market and make sure that you will be able to make your money back from the site.

**Bookworm-SEO** · 08-16-2006, 07:16 PM

I'm loving this! I'll be posting a round-up/summary of these insights at site flip tomorrow

(the link in my sig to the newsletter).

If any big earners care to, how about discussing some of your best ways to improve a site?

**mililani** · 09-24-2006, 10:02 PM

In my honest opinion, if I feel a website has potential to sell to the public I would buy it. Also, if I know the website is trustworthy for people to go and buy from you because.....believe me, visiters will become buyers if they believe in your products. Also, a website that has traffic, linkage, search
engines, SEO and blog are an important assets to have a thriving website.

Tessie

**forumbooster** · 09-25-2006, 02:45 AM

How about a list of good sites/subjects to look into right now?

**MonkeyBiz** · 09-25-2006, 05:34 AM

you sell when you want to

**DreamLoverSky** · 09-30-2006, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lee

How do you decide which websites to buy, and what time to sell? - JustinG

Hi Lee,How's it going? Lee I still consider myself knew to all this,but I wanted to know how long you have been doing what you have been doing.And how long it has taken you to earn what you do a month.

DreamLoverSky:helpsmilie: