Selling Websites - PLEASE ADVISE ME

Am I about to be robbed?

[someguy]

What is the normal step-by-step way to sell relatively high traffic websites?

Is it normal for the person selling the website to sign over complete ownership of the domain and content before receiving any payment?

It's come up in the last few days that someone wants to buy 2 of my domains, although the persons in question want me to move over the ownership i.e. make them the registrar before they are willing to make an initial payment.

Does this sound somewhat suspicious, even if there is a contract involved?

[bcc1234]

I would not do it that way.
At least use an escrow service.
If those people are legit, they won't have any problem with it.

[Jenstar]

I agree, even you are even the slightest bit hesitant about this deal, use an escrow service. The fee is well worth the peace of mind.

[NeedScripts]

1) Try to get more info about the person/company
2) See if they are for real or not.
3) Get a legal agreement made.
4) Get the payment.
5) Once payment is received (not just check...but make sure that check is actually cleared)
6) Send a thank you letter.
7) Transfer the domain.
8) If the deal was good, let them know, it was wonderful doing business with them.

Hope this helps.

P.S.. make sure that payment comes before domain transfer.

NeedScripts.

[someguy]

Yeah, I'm personally not comfortable with doing it in this way either.. but the buyer seems to check out and be from a relatively reliable company .. but that really offers little comfort.

[Staffa]

I totally agree with the previous answers and if your gut feeling makes you uncomfortable then follow it.
Any serious/honest company will have no problem with the previously stated procedures.

[Ankheg]

It seems very fishy to me.

In the past, I've sold two websites.

The first was a floundering information site; the buyer only wanted the domain name. We agreed upon a flat fee and drafted up a contract/bill of sale giving him ownership of the domain name but no claim to prior content nor permission to use the name of the previous website. He paid me, and the domain name was transferred to him.

The second was basically a niche message board which was bought by a mid-sized company in the board's subject area. We negotiated back and forth and finally agreed upon a contract whereby they would take ownership and control of the domain name, the web pages, software, and posts in the message board; basically the whole deal. There was also a timeline set for them to transfer the pages, etc. to from my hosting account to their server. There were also a couple of other clauses about indemnification, blah blah blah. They sent me a check, it cleared, I transferred the domain name to them and gave them the appropriate passwords. Within a week they'd transferred everything, the name was pointed to their IP, and it was all over.

For what it helps...

[Shane]

Ask yourself what recourse you have if they balk at paying later ..... None of the options are as good as having cash in your hand.

Before you go any further you may want to check them out with the better business bureau, ask for some references, .....

If they don't check out, quit wasting time on them.

Also, are they in same geographical area? How easy will it be for you to deal with them before a sale and afterwards if it goes south.

Good Luck,
Shane

[teeceo]

Bottleline, get the money first,(make sure it clears all the way) before you give up the domain and websites. THATS THE ONLY WAY to do this deal. If they don't want to do it like that then walk.

teeceo.

P.s. if they are close to you(in distants) or if the deal is worth alot of money then, you can always go to where there at and get your payment(say at starbuck's) and transfer the domain there.

[mole]

Do it as a CUF deal (cash up front) as first choice, but if they object, go escrow.
Get them to pay the escrow fees up front, and if they won't do that either then walk away.