How To Sell Wordpress Websites

[Boris_yo]

Since there is MySQL database involved, how do you sell Wordpress website?
Do you have to sell MySQL database also?

What is the process?

You would download a copy of the sql database and package it with the wordpress site...

If you are just selling a theme you do not need the database just the theme files.

James

[agent_whitehat]

These are the things that you should include in the package.

If you are selling the theme alone:
1) Theme files.
2) PSD file, if its necessary.

For Whole site:
1) Theme files.
2) PSD file, if its necessary.
3) Exported files from wordpress admin->manage->export.
4) Necessary plugin files or the whole wp-content folder.
5) SQL dump from the database. You can get it from phpMyAdmin or any other database admin. This step is necessary only if you have plugins that store their data in the database.

This way they can install a fresh copy of wordpress in their server and import all these details. Don't send your configuration files which has your database login details.

[Simon Nicholls]

Ive transferred a wordpress website in a matter of minutes, it's so simple!

[Marhelper]

I sold a Wordpress site just like I did any other ... no problem at all.

[TheRealDomainer]

Yes ezy Dollar. You are right! Its a matter of minutes.

This is not a cumbersome proccess. It's about knowing what to do and how to do it...

[Ross Kenny]

Hey thanks, Also wondered how to do this..

So it's just a case of copying all the folders via FTP and then passing over.

[Diana Lane]

Install basic vanilla WordPress where site is going to go (two second job if using Fantastico).
Upload the site files over the top, minus config file (make sure your site is the same version of WordPress as the new install - upgrade first if necessary)
Go into phpmyadmin and drop all vanilla WordPress tables from database
Import site database

If you're selling more than one copy of a site, open the site database in notepad and find and replace the domain.

I've a feeling I've forgotten something (going to bed, mostly), but the whole process only takes about fifteen minutes and most of that just involves browsing the Warrior forum in another window while waiting for files to upload. 'Tis a tough job, but someone's gotta do it

[Clyde Dennis]

Everything you need to easily transfer a wordpress blog from one server to another is in the admin area. Simply 'export' it from where it is then 'import' it at it's new home. Like Ezy Dollar said, takes about 5 minutes. (depending on the size of your file)

[Simon Nicholls]

If you need any help, give me a shout.

Export the file using the option in Wordpress, copy the theme folder if you used a different theme. Transfer files to new server - done!

Simon.

[Boris_yo]

Thanks for all your answers.

Now i am wondering where i can sell Wordpress websites.

[Simon Nicholls]

eBay or Sitepoint will be a good start!

[Diana Lane]

It's true that you can just use the export/import feature in the WP admin if you've only really added content and a theme to a WP blog, but if you've put plugins in that have their own settings too, then you have to reset these each time. Even if it doesn't take long, it soon gets monotonous. I'm far too idle for that - a quick export/import of the entire database is much simpler and there's not a lot that it doesn't catch.

[Simon Nicholls]

But for beginners is it really that easy to do? Most Wordpress sites created by beginners won't have that many Plug-Ins to reinstall?

[Diana Lane]

Originally Posted by Ezy Dollar

But for beginners is it really that easy to do? Most Wordpress sites created by beginners won't have that many Plug-Ins to reinstall?

Yes, it IS that easy.

Using phpmyadmin, go to the new database, tick all the tables and then choose 'with selected - drop'. Then hit the import tab, browse for your site database (which you exported in the same way) and hit 'go'. Job done.

There's one particular plugin in popular use on turnkey sites (and the name has gone right out of my head - typical!) It's used for bringinging in RSS content, or rather, misused quite often. It needs one little piece of code and, if used with the WP external links plugin will credit the author of the articles, allow the surfer to read beyond the article intro, AND open into a new window so that the surfer doesn't leave the site. Ninety-nine times out of a hundred where I've seen this plugin used, it's badly implemented in an out-of-the-box fashion that sees nobody win. Yet all it needs is one short line of code pasted into a box in the settings area. Export/import the database and do it once rather than repeatedly

There are probably other examples, but I've gone on long enough. I may have hit a 'rant' vein I didn't know I had

[Simon Nicholls]

Or another easier way is to get the buyer of your site to host with you and then supply usernames and passwords for the admin areas.

That way you don't have to move anything, just transfer the new users details!

Plus you make a recurring income from the hosting!

What I see most seem to be forgetting is the quality that you are selling also ... I know I just have to post this..

As a developer I make sure each and every one of my sites I produce are not only custom built 100% from the ground up but also secure and very user friendly.

Now there is nothing wrong with those that wish to re-sell open source sites (more power to you) but you should also understand what you are selling your customers.

* You need to make sure the wordpress blog is secured and those online solutions are not going to help. Telling your cusotmer to keep updated and make backups is not going to help.

Let's assume your customer gets a popular blog and then BOOM they get hacked. Who do you think they are going to look at for the problem of being hacked ? You are the one that sold them the site.

It's amazing how many people really miss this.. Many marketers will tell you to produce quality products and not junk but at the same time many people will resell sites without the knowledge needed to make sure that site is going to keep your customer happy for a very long time.

* Sell a wordpress site that looks cool and has cool plug-ins = $$

* Sell a wordpress site that looks cool and has plug-ins and is secured = $$$$$

* Sell a wordpress site that looks cool and has plug-ins and is secured and offer support = $$$$$$$$$

Big difference between just selling a site (flipping) and selling a site that is secured + support..

Just my 2 cents for whatever it's worth ..

James

[Diana Lane]

The hosting thing was the biggest factor in my decision to stop site-flipping quite so intensively. For my own part, I expect hosting support to be pretty much 24-7. I'm too much of a one-woman band, really. When I realised that I wasn't about to outsource or partner with anyone else so that my clients could expect the same, I decided to shut up shop. I couldn't be doing not only with the idea of offering a substandard service, but with the idea that site-flipping was becoming a J.O.B. None of that's for me - I'll still flip the odd site, but I won't be offering hosting. The only work I'm putting in now is on projects that mean I CAN walk away from the computer - lots - with a clear conscience and keep my own hours.

The turnkey website shop wasn't a waste of time though. I learnt a lot from building it, and sold it 'to an anonymous buyer for an undisclosed sum', as they say, and the company it went to have sufficient staff to give clients the service I'd expect in their shoes. If internet marketing appeals because you answer to no-one and can keep your own hours, I'd think carefully before offering hosting if you're the 'go it alone' type. Which is me. Dead anti-social

The exact reason why I offer support on my scripts but for hosting (I do host some clients) I normally just send them to hostgator, no affiliate links.. Just tell them to signup and give me the details and I will get them setup..

Ofcourse again big difference is I built custom sites not flip or sell open source code.

James

[Diana Lane]

Originally Posted by TheRichJerksNet

Ofcourse again big difference is I built custom sites not flip or sell open source code.

I don't think there is a big difference really. The buyers of turnkey or flipped sites deserve exactly the same decent 24/7 hosting support that the buyers of custom-built sites do.

Hi Diana,
Oh I meant a big difference in time frame, budget and etc.. Someone may flip a wordpress site for $500 where I would sell a custom built site for 4 time higher than that..

And another big difference is I do provide full lifetime support on all my sites to all my clients.

Hosting support is what hostgaotr is for ..lol

James