Selling Sites - How does one go about it?

Getting top dollar for your sites

[JadaKiss]

How would someone go about selling a network of sites and getting top dollar for them? I was one affected by the yahoo/google switch. My sites were pulling in over $180K year before this. I'm thinking if I can sell my sites to someone who is an expert at getting them ranked well in google - it will be a gold mine to them and I can just get out of the business rather than spending months trying to figure google out. My sites are all in yahoo and google but had excellent rankings in yahoo but no so good rankings in google. How do I find potential buyers that have big money to spend on buying this network of sites? Any suggestions would be helpful.

[nutsandbolts]

Jada - You probably wouldn't get much for them now if they are not making much money anymore. Most of the Yahoo! listings will need to be re-paid every year anyway....

I would sit on them for a month or so and see what happens with Yahoo! before you decide to bail totally out....

[JadaKiss]

Thanks. But do you think things will change with yahoo in the near future?

[jackofalltrades]

Why dont you get someone to advise on your sites Google promotion in exchange for a profit share?

JOAT

[nutsandbolts]

I suppose only Yahoo! can say if they ever will. At the conference one or two mentioned things are not set in stone and to wait and see on this. But how long to wait?

My advice is to keep your sites - but drop the annual renewals and if Yahoo! come to their senses you will just need to re-submit them to get back in again.

[JadaKiss]

I thought about the profit share idea as well. Should I approach an SEO company or what?

[rogerd]

Also posted in the similar Google thread, but wasn't able to delete that post

Getting top dollar for sites that used to do well but don't now might be a bit tricky, JK. A buyer will spend for present and future performance, but (unless he's not too bright) not for history.

I'd try to identify the value in what you have - have you build customer relationships or repeat traffic? Factors like these can increase the value of the business. How about links and Google PR? Site content that would be hard to duplicate without a large expense?

Unfortunately, someone buying sites that used to perform well in Yahoo only is pretty risky. Sure, Yahoo might redo their SERPs, but I wouldn't buy a bunch of sites based on that chance. The history of web searching is littered with players that used to be a major factor, but are no longer. Unfortunately, when a major player goes down, whether it is Excite or the Yahoo directory, it sometimes takes successful sites with it. Good luck - maybe a few more details might help elicit some targeted advice.

[jackofalltrades]

It really depends on the sites.

Personally, I would be more inclined to build a relationship with an individual - you would probably wouldnt have to give up as much of your profit share.

With companies, their time is taken up with other clients, which are in and out the door - an individual would be more of a long term commitment to keep the site doing well.

Just my 2c.

JOAT

[Tor]

I absolutely agree with JOAT that profit sharing would be the easiest way to capitalize on your sites. Create a good presentation of your business before you approach any potential partners.

[Shakil]

drop me a sticky, always interested in buying stuff (cheap that is).

Shak