| Dear Website Owner,If you have an existing | | | | reasonable offer. If you undervalue your |
| website or domain name you no longer need and | | | | name, you may end up kicking yourself when |
| wish to sell it to an interested buyer for a | | | | your newly sold name rakes in millions - for |
| one-time profit, or if you're a speculator | | | | someone else. Furthermore, an appraisal is a |
| looking to build a steady source of revenue | | | | very handy thing to have when buyers want |
| by buying and reselling valuable domain | | | | "proof" that your name is as special as you |
| names, this helpful guide will explain the | | | | claim. In the end, it is an exceptionally |
| steps you need to take to ensure a quick, | | | | valuable asset, available for a very small |
| easy, profitable sale.Step 1 - Establish a | | | | price.For information on UK Website for |
| Reasonable Price for Your SiteHow Much Can I | | | | Sale's professional appraisal services, |
| Get?Before you sell, it's a good idea to know | | | | visit: We offer a 20+ page Website Appraisal |
| how much the domain is worth. Market prices | | | | that can dramatically increase the value of |
| for domain names can run from a few dollars | | | | your website. No one on the Internet offers a |
| to thousands of dollars for premium names. | | | | more complete or cost effective Website |
| The domain name "Loans.com", for example, | | | | Appraisal, and certainly no one offers all |
| sold for $3,000,000 just a few years ago. The | | | | the extras we do that are included for |
| key to deciding whether or not to sell a | | | | FREE!Step 2 - Prepare your Business |
| domain name you own is to determine its worth | | | | Information for the SaleAfter you have |
| to you if kept and, alternatively, how much a | | | | decided to sell your business for whatever |
| buyer is willing to pay. You may have heard | | | | reason and chosen an asking price that you |
| 'rags to riches' type stories of cheap domain | | | | can support (hopefully with some advice from |
| names resold for hundreds of thousands of | | | | research or, even better, through a |
| dollars. During the good old days of the | | | | professional appraisal service), you are now |
| Internet boom this was possible. However, | | | | ready to talk to some potential buyers. Or |
| things have slowed down considerably since | | | | are you?Much like the asking price, the art |
| then and there it is very rare to hear of a | | | | of preparing your business for sale is not |
| domain name sold for more than $10,000. | | | | that easy. So, what do you need to |
| However, while big deal domain sales do occur | | | | successfully prepare the business and |
| less often in today's domain market, selling | | | | information? The list and needs vary greatly |
| domain names can still be very profitable. | | | | over business types, revenue sizes, |
| Short, catchy, top level domain names are | | | | verticals, and so on. For any business, the |
| selling for upwards of $5,000 on the domain | | | | basic requirements for what you will need are |
| aftermarket. Other longer, but still usable, | | | | quite similar. At the very least, you should |
| names may be worth hundreds of | | | | have the following items:1. Business |
| dollars.Pricing is relative. Relative to | | | | Summary -- what it is and why you are |
| your desire to sell, the type and timeliness | | | | selling2. Business Plan/Marketing Plan |
| of bidder inquiries (individual or corporate) | | | | -- if you have them3. Asset List -- both |
| and how well the sale price is negotiated. | | | | tangible and intangible4. Search Engine |
| Don't try to fit your domain name into some | | | | Rankings5. Website Traffic Reports6. |
| 'proprietary pricing model'. Every domain | | | | Any Technical details7. Financials |
| name is applicable to a different target | | | | (previous years and Current YTD financials)8. |
| market. Determine who your potential buyers | | | | Most recent completed year's Profit & |
| are before determining your asking price so | | | | Loss or Income Statement report and Balance |
| you don't over or under estimate that price. | | | | Sheet -- if you have it9. Sales |
| Most names (~85%) sell for between 15%-40% of | | | | Forecasts10. Supporting documents for the |
| the asking price. Exceptions to this | | | | Financials -- Tax, Bank, and/or Merchant |
| trend:Fantastic names - Truly great names can | | | | StatementsThe previous items will give all |
| command what a seller requests, unless that | | | | potential buyers a good idea what is for sale |
| amount is unreasonable. | | | | and probably a good idea if they are |
| | | | interested in pursuing the sale or not. |
| High asking prices - Names that have | | | | However, that is usually just the beginning, |
| ridiculous or greedy asking prices rarely | | | | so be prepared for many, many, many more |
| sell. Important! | | | | questions.Also, please keep in mind that your |
| | | | materials, presentation, and responses will |
| Poor names - Names littered with hyphens, | | | | be graded as part of the business in a way. |
| adult names, "4"s for the number "four", "2"s | | | | Why? Because, how can your business be |
| for the number "two", "U"s for the word | | | | successful if you are unorganized, not well |
| "you", etc. Don't waste your time listing | | | | presented, and not able to respond quickly |
| names like these. They rarely sell.How Do I | | | | and concisely? This is what the buyer will be |
| Determine My Site's Worth?Selling virtual | | | | thinking. And in my experience, this is |
| real estate is a lot like selling physical | | | | pretty accurate.Step 3 - Market Your Website |
| real estate. Just like with the housing | | | | Domain NameThere are various methods of |
| market, website "homes" (also known as domain | | | | putting your domain name up for sale. Decide |
| names) can be purchased for a low cost, | | | | whether you would like to sell your domain by |
| remodeled and decorated to look very | | | | owner or simplify the process and |
| attractive to potential buyers, and sold for | | | | significantly increase your chances of |
| a considerable profit. To understand how this | | | | receiving the best offer in the shortest |
| works, first consider that you were in fact | | | | amount of time by listing your domain name |
| selling an actual house built on land instead | | | | with a third party, such as if I Want to |
| of an abstract entity on the web. It would be | | | | Market My Site On My Own?There are 101 |
| impossible to price your home without doing | | | | different ways to promote your domain name. |
| extensive research to determine its worth. | | | | One way we don't recommend is blanketing |
| You'd need to take many factors into | | | | companies with unsolicited email. Writing |
| consideration, such as: size, landscape, curb | | | | mail to 200 banks asking if they want to buy |
| appeal, the value of other properties in the | | | | is not likely to win you many friends, nor |
| area, the current buying market, and - | | | | make you any deals. Your time would be better |
| perhaps the biggest factor - location, | | | | employed using the methods listed below:a) |
| location, location! You'd never dream of | | | | Update the domain name registration |
| arbitrarily assigning a sale price to your | | | | informationMany potential buyers will look at |
| home without having some idea of its worth | | | | the information in the WHOIS database as a |
| and what buyers might be willing to pay. If | | | | first step when investigating a name that |
| you underprice your home, you could be | | | | they are considering buying. So make it |
| missing out on a substantial profit | | | | perfectly clear that the name is for sale. |
| opportunity. However, if you overprice your | | | | Update the owner's name to include (This name |
| home, you might not be able to sell it at | | | | is for sale) after your own name. Make sure |
| all. That's why it's so important to have all | | | | all your contact information is current and |
| the facts before putting your home on the | | | | accurate. Contact your domain name registrar |
| market - and the same holds true for selling | | | | to update your WHOIS listing.b) Put a |
| your virtual home on the web.When determining | | | | promotional website upThe other obvious way |
| your site's value, you may need to do some | | | | for a potential buyer to find out if a domain |
| research online. It is often a good idea to | | | | name is for sale is to visit the website. |
| compare different websites on the Internet | | | | Don't disappoint them. If you don't have an |
| and to see which sites catch your eye. You | | | | existing website, get some web space from a |
| can make a mental note of the methods used on | | | | decent host provider and put a simple, |
| websites that were appealing to you; then you | | | | one-page site up, showing that the name is |
| can use those ideas when creating or updating | | | | for sale. Include a form or at least an email |
| your own website. The design of a website is | | | | address so that interested parties can submit |
| very important when you are trying to sell an | | | | offers.c) Get the Word OutThere are two |
| existing site online. The design should be | | | | different types of e-marketing strategies |
| bold and colorful, but should not be too | | | | that may help increase your sales.Direct |
| busy. You may want to use colors that relate | | | | Marketing: Identify and Address Your |
| to the theme of the site as well. For | | | | Audience. What types of businesses or |
| instance, if you are selling bottled water, | | | | individuals would be interested in your name? |
| it would be logical to use shades of blue on | | | | When you have identified your specific |
| your website. However, no matter how | | | | audience, you can take the next steps:1. |
| brilliant the website design is, the purpose | | | | Visit newsgroups related to domain names and |
| of the site must also be useful for the | | | | the nature of your name for sale. Post |
| website to sell. A good website will revolve | | | | messages and begin discussions.2. |
| around an interesting idea or useful type of | | | | Subscribe to ezines related to the topic and |
| business. To reflect the purpose of your | | | | find out where these people are on the web, |
| website, you should include clear, | | | | and how you can contact them.3. Once |
| informative content that is easy to | | | | you have contacts, you can send out emails to |
| understand. A website with a clear and | | | | potential customers.Mass Marketing: Address |
| interesting purpose is very likely to sell on | | | | Many. As opposed to direct marketing, mass |
| the Internet.What Makes a Site Valuable to | | | | marketing targets a large amount of people, |
| Buyers?These days most websites are valued by | | | | hoping for a small response. Some ways to do |
| the number of visitors they attract. One | | | | this are:4. Participate in domain |
| common yard stick is your domain name is | | | | forums, ask questions and seek out domain |
| valued at $10 to $30 per hit per day. If | | | | resellers or people who may be able to offer |
| 1,000 people land on your front page each | | | | you more tips.5. Use search engines. |
| day, your domain could be worth $10,000 to | | | | Although search engines differ in their |
| $30,000. Another optimistic way of looking at | | | | methods of operation and website submission, |
| domain values is each unique visitor you get | | | | you can often submit your site for no cost. |
| over the course of a month is worth $250. If | | | | To find out more information about different |
| the visitor clicks to a second page on your | | | | search engines and how they work, visit are |
| site, her presence is worth $500. By this | | | | the Benefits to Registering My Site With a |
| measure, a site getting only 10 hits per day | | | | Third Party?For a small fee, you can list |
| could go for $15,000. This strategy is a lot | | | | your site with a reputable third party, such |
| like the way traditional businesses have | | | | as and greatly enhance your site's exposure |
| always been sold. The more customers a store | | | | to qualified buyers and ultimate profit |
| has, the more it is worth to a buyer. That is | | | | potential. Among the many benefits you'll |
| a pretty solid way to value domains. It is a | | | | receive by registering with ukwebsiteforsale |
| model that is likely to be around for a long | | | | are:· High visibility - Reach |
| time to come.Here are some of the main | | | | 1000s of qualified buyers every month· |
| questions a typical buyer will ask him or | | | | FREE 3-Month Featured Listing with |
| herself when considering whether or not a | | | | purchase of professional appraisal· |
| website is worth purchasing - and at what | | | | Professionally written ads· FREE |
| price: | | | | email newsletter· A professional |
| | | | appraisal to accurately determine your sites |
| Is the site making any money? Is there | | | | worth and increase your chances of selling - |
| proof? | | | | ready in three to five business days· |
| | | | The security of working with a trusted, |
| What is the potential for future profits? | | | | experienced and highly recommended |
| | | | company· The opportunity to |
| Does the site have traffic? Is there proof? | | | | connect with a recommended site broker, who |
| | | | will further simplify the process by handling |
| Is the site attractive/well designed? Is it | | | | payment, escrow, and domain and registrar |
| functional and user friendly? | | | | transfer.Visit to learn more.Step #4 - Make |
| | | | The DealYou could get lucky, and receive an |
| When was the domain name registered? | | | | offer just days after listing your name. |
| | | | Typically, though, names are listed for |
| How is the site ranked with the major search | | | | months before any offers arrive. The key here |
| engines? | | | | is to be patient. Think about it - a party |
| | | | needs to come along who believes that the |
| What does is take to maintain the site? i.e. | | | | name is right, even essential, for their new |
| hosting fees, content addition, promotion, | | | | Web site. The only other offers you will get |
| etc. | | | | will be from domain resellers, who will |
| | | | typically offer you 20-25% of a name's |
| Why does the owner want to sell the | | | | potential value. Unless you really need the |
| website?If you've purchased a unique domain | | | | money, turn down these offers, but note them |
| name with a great deal of potential value, it | | | | anyway, as they are external confirmation |
| may not be necessary for you to have an | | | | that your name has resale value.Once you have |
| existing website in order for you to sell | | | | agreed a deal with the buyer, then you will |
| your domain name for a profit. Typically, | | | | have to complete the deal. They send you |
| domain names will sell based on its | | | | payment, and you transfer the name to them. |
| performance in four key categories:1. | | | | It's best to use an escrow service here. It |
| Commercial Development Potential - The | | | | protects both parties, but adds to the cost, |
| ability of your domain name to be used as a | | | | so make sure you have agreed beforehand who |
| brand, redirect, campaign address, etc.2. | | | | will pay for it. Normally the buyer pays, but |
| Recognition - The relevance of your name to | | | | sometimes the cost is shared. Please note: to |
| the market and how easy it is to remember.3. | | | | sell a domain name by owner, through a |
| Length - In most cases, shorter is | | | | private transaction rather than a trusted |
| better. However, a longer more obvious name | | | | third party, is risky business unless you |
| can sometimes be more valuable than a short | | | | completely trust the buyer.There will be some |
| classified-ad contraction style domain.4. | | | | wait time as money switches hands and the |
| Extension Value - This refers to the .COM | | | | domain name ownership is transferred. Unless |
| part of your domain name. Currently .COM | | | | you are selling your domain to your mother or |
| names still command the highest values | | | | selling it for a very low price, we recommend |
| followed by .NET, some national domains (such | | | | using an escrow service to take care of the |
| as .UK) and .ORG names.How Can I Guarantee | | | | money transaction.Copyright 2004-Good luck! |
| I've Priced My Site Correctly?Unless you are | | | | |
| a true domain name expert, we strongly | | | | Manny Avedissian |
| recommend having your site professionally | | | | |
| appraised. In fact, this is probably one of | | | | Avedissian has earned his degree in |
| the most important steps you can take towards | | | | Business Administration. Mr. Avedissian has |
| ensuring a successful sale of your site. | | | | over 20 years of professional business |
| Appraisers are professionals and experts in | | | | experience ranging from private corporations |
| their field, and they have the means and | | | | to governmental agencies. Mr. Avedissian has |
| methods to conclude what your domain name is | | | | owned and operated previous internet |
| worth. As we mentioned earlier, if you place | | | | businesses. Mr. Avedissisan is also a member |
| an exaggerated price on your name, potential | | | | in good standing with the prestigious |
| buyers will be scared away from making a | | | | International Webmasters Association ( IWA ). |