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How to get bidders on Flippa?

by Mike McAleer
63 replies
I just listed my iPad alternatives site up for sale on Flippa.
I usually flip domains but I am now selling my original site for some extra cash flow.
How do you usually go about selling with Flippa?
Will bidders come naturally for an established site($40 a month adsense)? (My Reserve is $350 BIN is $750)
Should I do some extra promoting or will I just get bids easily?

Thanks. My listing just started and will end in 3 days..

P.s. people are getting 200 to 300 easily by selling starter sites. Are there that many people really looking for these sites and naturally buying them?
#bidders #flippa
  • Profile picture of the author Cinneide
    If you want to do extra promoting you could try contacting owners of sites already in your niche. If they are making money already they might be interested in another site.
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    • Profile picture of the author NerdGary
      not sure if there are any tricks in getting bidders..

      From what i see, sellers bundle other freebies.

      But ultimately, you need a great product for sale.
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  • Profile picture of the author Mike McAleer
    Obviously you need a great one to sell! and I know that sellers bundle other freebies what else plz
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    • Profile picture of the author x3xsolxdierx3x
      There seems to be no rhyme or reason to some happenings on Flippa.

      For example, I was just looking there and came across a website that earns close to $20,000 a month, yet is being sold for $30,000...

      Why not just keep the website for another month and earn $40,000?

      Granted, I'm still exploring and learning the ropes...some things just don't make sense though...
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      • Profile picture of the author mailey
        Originally Posted by x3xsolxdierx3x View Post

        There seems to be no rhyme or reason to some happenings on Flippa.

        For example, I was just looking there and came across a website that earns close to $20,000 a month, yet is being sold for $30,000...

        Why not just keep the website for another month and earn $40,000?

        Granted, I'm still exploring and learning the ropes...some things just don't make sense though...
        Maybe the owner is claiming it makes 20,000 a month but in reality, it is a lie.
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        • Profile picture of the author x3xsolxdierx3x
          Originally Posted by mailey View Post

          Maybe the owner is claiming it makes 20,000 a month but in reality, it is a lie.
          You'd have to have alot of guts to lie there, especially for a listing that is so "high end".
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          • Profile picture of the author mailey
            Originally Posted by x3xsolxdierx3x View Post

            You'd have to have alot of guts to lie there, especially for a listing that is so "high end".
            There are people out there with little in the way of conscience and thick skins. Scams are not a rariety and a lot of the sales pages are over the top and full of hype.
            Tracking down potential scammers is not an east thing especially if they are living in a far flung land and in the middle of no where.
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            • Profile picture of the author Adie
              Originally Posted by mailey View Post

              There are people out there with little in the way of conscience and a thick skins. Scams are not a rariety and a lot of the sales pages are over the top and full of hype.
              Tracking down potential scammers is not an east thing especially if they are living in a far flung land and in the middle of no where.
              "potential $$$, guaranteed $$$ after blank months or money back guarantee" - are some of the things I don't want to look into......
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      • Profile picture of the author blue_sky
        Originally Posted by x3xsolxdierx3x View Post


        For example, I was just looking there and came across a website that earns close to $20,000 a month, yet is being sold for $30,000...

        Why not just keep the website for another month and earn $40,000?

        LOL - I wonder the exact same thing - the only logical explanation would be fake bids to increase the price - no one is selling a 20.000 a month site for 30.000...
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        • Profile picture of the author Mike McAleer
          Originally Posted by blue_sky View Post

          LOL - I wonder the exact same thing - the only logical explanation would be fake bids to increase the price - no one is selling a 20.000 a month site for 30.000...

          Actually that is not logical at all. People are really just lying about their earnings.
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          • Profile picture of the author blue_sky
            Originally Posted by FreshDomains View Post

            Actually that is not logical at all. People are really just lying about their earnings.

            ????????? Of course they are lying that goes without saying
            but to get attention you need bids - it works the same way on ebay...you ask your buddies to place a bid or do it yourself with a ton of fake accounts - (freelancer are doing this all the time especially writers)

            Did you ever walk into a restaurant to have dinner when nobody was sitting there..
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      • Profile picture of the author shabit87
        Tips, tips, uh, don't eat yellow snow. LOL, I'm kidding, but really, if you have one bid, only one bid, upgrade to the featured auctions section for like $40, get those eyes that may otherwise miss it on the home page.

        Another tip is overdeliver in support after purchase and provide bonuses. Bonuses don't even have to be anything too tedious for yourself. Maybe two months or a year hosting, new design, sharing some marketing tricks you personally use, managing the site for a month to insure the money continues to flow in. Be creative as you want, just make it valuable.

        Hmm, whatelse oh video proof works like a charm. Show them traffic, show them sales, etc etc. But be careful, don't brake your Terms and Agreements doing this. I believe Adsense is super strict about about what you can and can not show others publically.

        Originally Posted by x3xsolxdierx3x View Post

        There seems to be no rhyme or reason to some happenings on Flippa.

        For example, I was just looking there and came across a website that earns close to $20,000 a month, yet is being sold for $30,000...

        Why not just keep the website for another month and earn $40,000?
        Okay great questions and there are a lot of GREAT reasons why.

        1. Someone would rather invest in another project they're more passionate about. The time and dedication they give to one site may be holding them back from where they really rather be. I don't know about you, but you couldn't pay me enough to do something I didn't love for a long time.

        2. They're in a cash crunch and must liquidate quick. THey may not have a whole month to wait. They could also be sitting on a great opportunity with an even larger payday if they can come up with the appropiate funds.

        3. They may have more than one cash generating site so one sold for a little over the monthly income is no biggie.

        4. The website might be declining in sales and the owner has no idea how to bring it back up, so before it hits rock bottom they rather sell it to someone who can meet the potential in it and get it where it needs to be.

        Okay those are just some reasons. I myself flip sites and I don't even mind selling it for less than what I made with it. Why? Because I'm usually selling it with an end goal in mind and its not neccessarily to make a huge profit. I grow old with my sites and instead of it sitting there collecting dust, I rather just give it to a new owner that'll take care of it.
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  • Profile picture of the author Mike McAleer
    I do agree with that weird example you stated. Yea I mean really why dont they just keep the site that would be $240K per year?
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  • Profile picture of the author paulie888
    I think you'd have a good shot at selling your site at around $300 or maybe even higher on Flippa. Prospective buyers tend to like these Adsense sites, and if your Analytics can be verified as well, I don't think it'd be too difficult to sell it around your reserve price (I'd recommend lowering it to $300 though).

    Has your auction received any bids yet? Please keep us updated on it as it progresses.

    Paul
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  • Profile picture of the author dezchamps
    Flippa itself, being what it is, has a natural audience. If you knew end users, you would have contacted them before putting this on that site. See what happens, if you don't get a bid, then lower your BIN.
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  • Profile picture of the author mech111
    Try using the promotion methods flippa gives, they really do help.
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  • Profile picture of the author Adie
    Okay, I sold several sites and here is my record.

    sitepoint marketplace

    1. adsense $120/month - sold for $3200 (seo blog)
    2. adsense 80/month - sold for $1650 (seo tools blog)


    Flippa
    Lots of sites ranging from $20/month - $50/month adsense earnings selling them from $260 to $800.

    I never sold a site without earnings (never tried). I feel like I am cheating the buyers if I sell the "potential" thing.

    Some may ask why I sell earning sites... well it's part of my living. I sell sites for a living. I feel guilty selling turnkey websites without any traffic and earnings....

    To answer the OP, you don't have do do anything. people will buy if they like your site. Putting so much hype on your auction may backfire someday... don't promise anything your site can't provide in the near future..... good luck..

    BTW: I checked and I sold a total of 32 sites since 2007. Only 2 unsold...
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    • Profile picture of the author x3xsolxdierx3x
      Really good feedback. Thanks, Adie!

      Those sales seem more realistic.

      Have you ever paid the $80 to have them "tweet" your listing? Anyone?

      Originally Posted by Adie View Post

      Okay, I sold several sites and here is my record.

      sitepoint marketplace

      1. adsense $120/month - sold for $3200 (seo blog)
      2. adsense 80/month - sold for $1650 (seo tools blog)


      Flippa
      Lots of sites ranging from $20/month - $50/month adsense earnings selling them from $260 to $800.

      I never sold a site without earnings (never tried). I feel like I am cheating the buyers if I sell the "potential" thing.

      Some may ask why I sell earning sites... well it's part of my living. I sell sites for a living. I feel guilty selling turnkey websites without any traffic and earnings....

      To answer the OP, you don't have do do anything. people will buy if they like your site. Putting so much hype on your auction may backfire someday... don't promise anything your site can't provide in the near future..... good luck..

      BTW: I checked and I sold a total of 32 sites since 2007. Only 2 unsold...
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      • Profile picture of the author Adie
        Originally Posted by x3xsolxdierx3x View Post

        Really good feedback. Thanks, Adie!

        Those sales seem more realistic.

        Have you ever paid the $80 to have them "tweet" your listing? Anyone?
        Here is a small strategy that I always do...

        The first time you list your site, do not pay any additional listing fees aside from the normal $19 fee. Your site will then get listed into the "new auctions" page. If you got at least 5 bids and 5 watchers, do not pay additional fees unless the value of your site is more than $500.

        But, if your site reaches the bottom of the "new auctions" page without any bid and only watchers, pay for feature list (if you have extra funds). This is to put your site on top of feature list for another set of time.

        The reason why you should not pay the feature fee right after listing your site is to utilize the time it is still listed under the "new auctions"... See the performance of your site first on the "new auctions" page before thinking of paying for feature.

        I sold more than a dozen of sites without paying any feature fee.... If you have watchers, those people will surely place their bids during the last hours.

        The last site I sold last week for $140 was the ugliest site I ever had. I got no bid before it reaches the bottom of "new lists" but I had 7 watchers. They rushed during the last 2 hours and I even sold the site more than my reserved. My reserved was $110. That was a very old blog with zero earning but with PR3......
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        • Profile picture of the author paulie888
          Originally Posted by Adie View Post

          Here is a small strategy that I always do...

          The first time you list your site, do not pay any additional listing fees aside from the normal $19 fee. Your site will then get listed into the "new auctions" page. If you got at least 5 bids and 5 watchers, do not pay additional fees unless the value of your site is more than $500.

          But, if your site reaches the bottom of the "new auctions" page without any bid and only watchers, pay for feature list (if you have extra funds). This is to put your site on top of feature list for another set of time.

          The reason why you should not pay the feature fee right after listing your site is to utilize the time it is still listed under the "new auctions"... See the performance of your site first on the "new auctions" page before thinking of paying for feature.

          I sold more than a dozen of sites without paying any feature fee.... If you have watchers, those people will surely place their bids during the last hours.

          The last site I sold last week for $140 was the ugliest site I ever had. I got no bid before it reaches the bottom of "new lists" but I had 7 watchers. They rushed during the last 2 hours and I even sold the site more than my reserved. My reserved was $110. That was a very old blog with zero earning but with PR3......
          This strategy is especially crucial with low-reserve listings - had you tried to use the Featured listing on your $140 site, it'd have severely cut into your net profit. With the increased Flippa fees (which are markedly higher than when it was the Sitepoint marketplace), you have to be more careful with what you spend on listing fees.
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          • Profile picture of the author Adie
            Originally Posted by paulie888 View Post

            This strategy is especially crucial with low-reserve listings - had you tried to use the Featured listing on your $140 site, it'd have severely cut into your net profit. With the increased Flippa fees (which are markedly higher than when it was the Sitepoint marketplace), you have to be more careful with what you spend on listing fees.
            I agree... That's why it's not really advisable to pay any feature fee if you are selling your site less than $300. Paying a total of $60 and selling your site only for $150 I think is not logical..... But if I am selling high value websites, I play my cards wisely, using the above strategy I outlined....
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          • Profile picture of the author NikkiDelgado
            Thanks for the advice I was wondering this for my sites! Whether to feature or not. I have one for sale today that has an hour left or so.
            It has 3 bids but hasn't met reserve and 4 watchers. I don't think it will sell do you think I should have brought an upgrade?

            Originally Posted by Adie View Post

            Here is a small strategy that I always do...

            The first time you list your site, do not pay any additional listing fees aside from the normal $19 fee. Your site will then get listed into the "new auctions" page. If you got at least 5 bids and 5 watchers, do not pay additional fees unless the value of your site is more than $500.

            But, if your site reaches the bottom of the "new auctions" page without any bid and only watchers, pay for feature list (if you have extra funds). This is to put your site on top of feature list for another set of time.

            The reason why you should not pay the feature fee right after listing your site is to utilize the time it is still listed under the "new auctions"... See the performance of your site first on the "new auctions" page before thinking of paying for feature.

            I sold more than a dozen of sites without paying any feature fee.... If you have watchers, those people will surely place their bids during the last hours.

            The last site I sold last week for $140 was the ugliest site I ever had. I got no bid before it reaches the bottom of "new lists" but I had 7 watchers. They rushed during the last 2 hours and I even sold the site more than my reserved. My reserved was $110. That was a very old blog with zero earning but with PR3......
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      • Profile picture of the author Piper Anderson
        Originally Posted by x3xsolxdierx3x View Post


        Have you ever paid the $80 to have them "tweet" your listing? Anyone?
        That's a big waste of money, in my opinion. If you're going to shell out the big bucks for an auction listing, go for the $40 to get on the front page. Flippa has free promotional tools that allow you to Tweet your own Twitter account with a pre-made sales announcement. I have two personal Twitter accounts, and just use the free Flippa tool to send tweets to both of them.
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        • Profile picture of the author Mike McAleer
          Originally Posted by Piper Anderson View Post

          That's a big waste of money, in my opinion. If you're going to shell out the big bucks for an auction listing, go for the $40 to get on the front page. Flippa has free promotional tools that allow you to Tweet your own Twitter account with a pre-made sales announcement. I have two personal Twitter accounts, and just use the free Flippa tool to send tweets to both of them.
          The point is that Flippa has a lot more followers than you most likely and that the followers of flippa followed them because they buy websites and like to hear about new auctions
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        • Profile picture of the author x3xsolxdierx3x
          Originally Posted by Piper Anderson View Post

          That's a big waste of money, in my opinion. If you're going to shell out the big bucks for an auction listing, go for the $40 to get on the front page. Flippa has free promotional tools that allow you to Tweet your own Twitter account with a pre-made sales announcement. I have two personal Twitter accounts, and just use the free Flippa tool to send tweets to both of them.
          The thing is...

          It's in flippa's best interest to see that a listing sells....

          Some sites tweet things associated with the site free of charge because of just that...

          The site seems very ineffective at driving much traffic to seller's listings to begin with. hm...

          I wonder how responsive their twitter followers are?
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        • Profile picture of the author Adie
          Originally Posted by Piper Anderson View Post

          That's a big waste of money, in my opinion. If you're going to shell out the big bucks for an auction listing, go for the $40 to get on the front page. Flippa has free promotional tools that allow you to Tweet your own Twitter account with a pre-made sales announcement. I have two personal Twitter accounts, and just use the free Flippa tool to send tweets to both of them.
          I agree.... no buyers on twitter IMO....
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          • Profile picture of the author x3xsolxdierx3x
            Originally Posted by Adie View Post

            I agree.... no buyers on twitter IMO....
            So, I gave it a shot.

            Adie...Flippa's Twitter following is SO unresponsive that I'm seriously considering pulling it some of my contacts and getting a bit of a blog post blitz on. Not only do they not buy, but they don't even view your listing. It won't break me...I just had to test it like I do everything....I kind of feel an obligation to others to keep them from doing it now though....

            Honestly, for their taking a cut on the sales anyway, this is something they should be doing for free to begin with...JMHO....
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            • Profile picture of the author paulie888
              Originally Posted by x3xsolxdierx3x View Post

              So, I gave it a shot.

              Adie...Flippa's Twitter following is SO unresponsive that I'm seriously considering pulling it some of my contacts and getting a bit of a blog post blitz on. Not only do they not buy, but they don't even view your listing. It won't break me...I just had to test it like I do everything....I kind of feel an obligation to others to keep them from doing it now though....

              Honestly, for their taking a cut on the sales anyway, this is something they should be doing for free to begin with...JMHO....
              I suspected as much, I ignored this tool completely because I can scarcely imagine anyone paying attention to a Twitter feed that must probably have dozens of tweets each day just to keep everyone updated about the progress of the auctions!
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              • Profile picture of the author x3xsolxdierx3x
                Originally Posted by paulie888 View Post

                I suspected as much, I ignored this tool completely because I can scarcely imagine anyone paying attention to a Twitter feed that must probably have dozens of tweets each day just to keep everyone updated about the progress of the auctions!
                And, today, signifies the first refund I've ever requested for anything online.

                I've been in contact with their support.

                The thing is, I can't really prove that people won't "buy" from Twitter....but, I CAN prove that people won't even view your listing in the first place. I kept close tabs on views immediately after they posted to Twitter, and their Tweet gave roughly 5 or 6 views.

                What I explained to them was that noone will buy a listing if they don't even SEE a listing. The expectation...a sound and reasonable expectation...when someone goes to purchase an $80 tweet, is that there will be, at the very least, some viewership. Buyers are great, but if people don't even view your listing, YOU don't even get a chance to make a case for your site (through your listing).

                Honestly, their tweeting system needs to either revert to something they do automatically free of charge, or the price needs to be lessened significantly.

                On the brite side, they are very responsive and at least appear to want to do right by buyers/sellers. Knowing full well that it's in their best interest to facilitate sales, the tweeting, IMHO, should actually be a free thing they do. When a high end website receives a bid, they tweet about that anyway...because they have a vested interested in spreading word and linking up the buyers with the sellers.
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            • Profile picture of the author LegitIncomes
              Originally Posted by x3xsolxdierx3x View Post

              So, I gave it a shot.

              Adie...Flippa's Twitter following is SO unresponsive that I'm seriously considering pulling it some of my contacts and getting a bit of a blog post blitz on. Not only do they not buy, but they don't even view your listing. It won't break me...I just had to test it like I do everything....I kind of feel an obligation to others to keep them from doing it now though....

              Honestly, for their taking a cut on the sales anyway, this is something they should be doing for free to begin with...JMHO....

              I agree...I once used the Twitter upgrade...absolutely worthless, the regular featured listing gets a lot more views.
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    • Profile picture of the author paulie888
      Originally Posted by Adie View Post

      Okay, I sold several sites and here is my record.

      sitepoint marketplace

      1. adsense $120/month - sold for $3200 (seo blog)
      2. adsense 80/month - sold for $1650 (seo tools blog)


      Flippa
      Lots of sites ranging from $20/month - $50/month adsense earnings selling them from $260 to $800.

      I never sold a site without earnings (never tried). I feel like I am cheating the buyers if I sell the "potential" thing.

      Some may ask why I sell earning sites... well it's part of my living. I sell sites for a living. I feel guilty selling turnkey websites without any traffic and earnings....

      To answer the OP, you don't have do do anything. people will buy if they like your site. Putting so much hype on your auction may backfire someday... don't promise anything your site can't provide in the near future..... good luck..

      BTW: I checked and I sold a total of 32 sites since 2007. Only 2 unsold...
      Adie, when you refer to selling in the "sitepoint marketplace" above, I'd imagine that those were sites you sold during the pre-Flippa days?

      Paul
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      • Profile picture of the author Adie
        Originally Posted by paulie888 View Post

        Adie, when you refer to selling in the "sitepoint marketplace" above, I'd imagine that those were sites you sold during the pre-Flippa days?

        Paul
        yes.... I am a member of SP since early 2007.... The biggest amount I sold on SP marketplace was $4,850, while on Flippa, it happened last month at $3,500. I do not sell any site less than 3 months old (expect for my old domains before)
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      • Profile picture of the author Iemagine
        My point exactly! Flippa is not what it use to be. You can't sell a site without it making money. Sellers are pratically giving away their sites for as little as ten dollars. Thats not worth it to me. The prices are a little ridiculous as well, unless you are selling a high dollar website I wouldn't bother with the add ons.
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  • Profile picture of the author Mike McAleer
    Thanks for all the tips everyone currently I have one watcher and 40 views on my auction
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  • Profile picture of the author seobro
    Getting featured is good for you. Also, one little trick is offering free hosting for a year. That will drive up final price. Also, if you are a reseller, when it is time to renew - you have a new consumer.

    OK one of the best tactics is to supply detailed information and statistics on your web pages. For example, how much bandwidth does your site use. What pages are max pop. A break down of your expenses & revenue. Most people are familiar with adsense, click bank and amazon.

    BTW, I was getting ready to bid on your site, but flippa found six potential copies with copy scape. Fix that right away.
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  • Profile picture of the author VOnline
    Not much you could do IMO.
    Wait..as much people tend to BEGIN bidding towards the end of your time period to avoid snipers and bid wars.

    Get featured.
    Answer all questions thoroughly and answer the right question if somebody asks.
    Provide bonuses for BIN or other features.
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    • Profile picture of the author Piper Anderson
      Originally Posted by VOnline View Post

      Provide bonuses for BIN or other features.
      There's another thing....bonuses for BIN. I offer some really simple BIN bonuses, and people love them. It's usually along the lines of free hosting for a year, a few PLR articles on the topic of the site, some keywords they can use that have high searches and low competition, and two weeks of free, unlimited support. For some bigger ticket sites, I also offer to give the BIN bidder my entire marketing plan for the site, so they can keep it ranking well and making money (I make it clear the future of the site is in THEIR hands once they buy it, but for a BIN, I will provide the necessary tools to keep the site profitable...they just have to USE them).

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      • Profile picture of the author blue_sky
        Good idea - any examples for that??????


        Originally Posted by Piper Anderson View Post

        There's another thing....bonuses for BIN. I offer some really simple BIN bonuses, and people love them. It's usually along the lines of free hosting for a year, a few PLR articles on the topic of the site, some keywords they can use that have high searches and low competition, and two weeks of free, unlimited support. For some bigger ticket sites, I also offer to give the BIN bidder my entire marketing plan for the site, so they can keep it ranking well and making money (I make it clear the future of the site is in THEIR hands once they buy it, but for a BIN, I will provide the necessary tools to keep the site profitable...they just have to USE them).
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        • Profile picture of the author Piper Anderson
          Originally Posted by blue_sky View Post

          Good idea - any examples for that??????
          Umm....sure? What is it you want examples of, precisely? My marketing plan? Keyword lists? PLR articles I supply to BIN buyers?

          My marketing plan, BTW, is top secret...only for auction winners. Although, someone on Flippa today contacted me not to buy my site, but to offer me $50 to sell him the marketing plan! Now that's a first! Maybe I should start selling it as a stand-alone item, huh? But if I did that, that would drive down the value of the sites I sell.
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          • Profile picture of the author shabit87
            Originally Posted by Piper Anderson View Post

            Umm....sure? What is it you want examples of, precisely? My marketing plan? Keyword lists? PLR articles I supply to BIN buyers?

            My marketing plan, BTW, is top secret...only for auction winners. Although, someone on Flippa today contacted me not to buy my site, but to offer me $50 to sell him the marketing plan! Now that's a first! Maybe I should start selling it as a stand-alone item, huh? But if I did that, that would drive down the value of the sites I sell.
            I don't think that would bring down the value at all and I myself have been approached with the same type of proposal and went for it. But hey, he offered you $50, counter offer him with $75. See how serious he is about learning this strategies and see if its even "worth" sharing with him.

            Also be sure to keep the transaction discreet. I know it can be difficult, not personally knowing the other party and whatnot but you don't want everyone approaching you for your marketing secrets.

            As long as your strategies aren't displayed within the auction you're good. Plus I think the mystery of it all will increases bids, cause in the bidders minds its like she's doing something special to get this to work and if I win I will know and I can make more sites that make money, etc etc.

            I think you should think about the $50, but don't hesitate to say no if you ain't comfortable sharing it...with anyone not buying your site.
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            • Profile picture of the author Piper Anderson
              Originally Posted by shabit87 View Post

              I don't think that would bring down the value at all and I myself have been approached with the same type of proposal and went for it. But hey, he offered you $50, counter offer him with $75. See how serious he is about learning this strategies and see if its even "worth" sharing with him.

              Also be sure to keep the transaction discreet. I know it can be difficult, not personally knowing the other party and whatnot but you don't want everyone approaching you for your marketing secrets.

              As long as your strategies aren't displayed within the auction you're good. Plus I think the mystery of it all will increases bids, cause in the bidders minds its like she's doing something special to get this to work and if I win I will know and I can make more sites that make money, etc etc.

              I think you should think about the $50, but don't hesitate to say no if you ain't comfortable sharing it...with anyone not buying your site.
              He's in a bidding war on my auction right now, but says if he doesn't win, he'd still like to buy the marketing plan for $50. I'll probably sell it to him in that case. Hey, who couldn't use an extra $50, right? >)
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  • Profile picture of the author irakly
    To get bidders on Flippa you need to sell good sites and they will find you.

    Originally Posted by FreshDomains View Post

    I just listed my iPad alternatives site up for sale on Flippa.
    I usually flip domains but I am now selling my original site for some extra cash flow.
    How do you usually go about selling with Flippa?
    Will bidders come naturally for an established site($40 a month adsense)? (My Reserve is $350 BIN is $750)
    Should I do some extra promoting or will I just get bids easily?

    Thanks. My listing just started and will end in 3 days..

    P.s. people are getting 200 to 300 easily by selling starter sites. Are there that many people really looking for these sites and naturally buying them?
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    • Profile picture of the author x3xsolxdierx3x
      Originally Posted by irakly View Post

      To get bidders on Flippa you need to sell good sites and they will find you.
      Unfortunately, in my experience, this hasn't been the case.

      People don't just 'find you'. The seller has to be very proactive in their own promotion of their listing.
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      • Profile picture of the author blue_sky
        I think the soldier is right - you have to market your auction:
        Here are some ideas:

        - List the site in the for sale section of the warriorboard
        - List the site in the for sale section of other webmaster related boards
        - Bookmark the Url
        - Get the Flippa auction URL tattooed on your forehead on LA Ink (popular reality show in the us)
        With your tattooed forehead pull a stunt in front of the whitehouse and all the news cameras e.g insult the president, make a bomb thread etc (think out of the box here but get a very good lawyer first)

        Note: the last ideas were meant as a joke...





        Originally Posted by x3xsolxdierx3x View Post

        Unfortunately, in my experience, this hasn't been the case.

        People don't just 'find you'. The seller has to be very proactive in their own promotion of their listing.
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        • Profile picture of the author x3xsolxdierx3x
          Let's just put it this way: there are million reasons why an auction might succeed or fail.

          Even still, even you pay an extra $40 to have your listing on the front page (a system similar to the WSOs), it stays there for a very short time. Few will see your listing, and tweets don't help very much at all.

          The ability of a seller to sell ALL comes down to their ability to promote. Because Flippa has a vested interest in sites being sold, I would like to see them take an even more proactive approach to this, somehow. Their tweets, from what I've seen, are useless.

          Good support/ Great system/ Tweets don't work in even gaining visibility to your listing, let alone buying -- that's my review lol

          Originally Posted by blue_sky View Post

          I think the soldier is right - you have to market your auction:
          Here are some ideas:

          - List the site in the for sale section of the warriorboard
          - List the site in the for sale section of other webmaster related boards
          - Bookmark the Url
          - Get the Flippa auction URL tattooed on your forehead on LA Ink (popular reality show in the us)
          With your tattooed forehead pull a stunt in front of the whitehouse and all the news cameras e.g insult the president, make a bomb thread etc (think out of the box here but get a very good lawyer first)

          Note: the last ideas were meant as a joke...
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          • Profile picture of the author blue_sky
            Originally Posted by x3xsolxdierx3x View Post

            Their tweets, from what I've seen, are useless.
            they just have to follow ebays modell to squeeze more money out of their customers...
            and there is nothing wrong about it - they are a business after all and not a member of the mother theresa club

            just follow my advice and you will get attention - dont forget to let me know when you are on LA Ink..LOL
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            • Profile picture of the author x3xsolxdierx3x
              Originally Posted by blue_sky View Post

              they just have to follow ebays modell to squeeze more money out of their customers...
              and there is nothing wrong about it - they are a business after all and not a member of the mother theresa club

              just follow my advice and you will get attention - dont forget to let me know when you are on LA Ink..LOL
              They can run their business however they feel like it. But, if there is no transfer of some level of value, for that high of a price, you are going to have people complain. It's not even about 'selling' a product. It's up to the seller to do that---however, if a promotional method brings you next to no viewership, a seller isn't even given the opportunity to sell.

              lol...LA Ink?
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  • Profile picture of the author Richard N Adams
    Personally I have found that there are two techniques that help me to get decent bids. The first is to start off with a really low minimum bid and the second is to take the time to respond to every comment left in a timely manner.

    Here's why...

    When you glance down the listings, many have few or no comments and few or no bids. If you can kick-start those then it helps to make your listing stand out from the crowd and enourages attention.

    I have sold sites for five figures that I started off with a $1 minimum bid. Sure, you always get a few tire-kickers actually offering that but assuming you've got your reserve in place I have found that your bids can quickly spiral and when you have 10+ bids in the first few hours it seems the "serious" buyers come check out your listing when they see all the interest it is generating.

    All the best,
    Richard
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    • Profile picture of the author x3xsolxdierx3x
      Rich,

      Best post I've read all day.

      Thanks!

      Originally Posted by Richard N Adams View Post

      Personally I have found that there are two techniques that help me to get decent bids. The first is to start off with a really low minimum bid and the second is to take the time to respond to every comment left in a timely manner.

      Here's why...

      When you glance down the listings, many have few or no comments and few or no bids. If you can kick-start those then it helps to make your listing stand out from the crowd and enourages attention.

      I have sold sites for five figures that I started off with a $1 minimum bid. Sure, you always get a few tire-kickers actually offering that but assuming you've got your reserve in place I have found that your bids can quickly spiral and when you have 10+ bids in the first few hours it seems the "serious" buyers come check out your listing when they see all the interest it is generating.

      All the best,
      Richard
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    • Profile picture of the author Mike McAleer
      Originally Posted by Richard N Adams View Post

      Personally I have found that there are two techniques that help me to get decent bids. The first is to start off with a really low minimum bid and the second is to take the time to respond to every comment left in a timely manner.

      Here's why...

      When you glance down the listings, many have few or no comments and few or no bids. If you can kick-start those then it helps to make your listing stand out from the crowd and enourages attention.

      I have sold sites for five figures that I started off with a $1 minimum bid. Sure, you always get a few tire-kickers actually offering that but assuming you've got your reserve in place I have found that your bids can quickly spiral and when you have 10+ bids in the first few hours it seems the "serious" buyers come check out your listing when they see all the interest it is generating.

      All the best,
      Richard
      Thanks,
      Just finally read this and it sounds like great advice.

      My auction is currently at $125 my reserve is $350 and BIN is $750
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  • Profile picture of the author Mike McAleer
    Auction over. Now have an offer for $200 trying to get up. The buyer will respond tomorrow.
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  • Profile picture of the author John Williamson
    I use my signature here and I also contact past buyers and bidders, they almost always end up bidding on my current/future auctions. I usually do a few upgrades like bold, homepage exposure, and highlight.

    But yes, that $80 tweet is both ridiculous and worthless.

    My sites usually go for about 20 months worth of their income.

    Question: If my site is for sale on Flippa, can I also put it in the Websites for Sale section on WF to get more exposure for the Flippa listing? Or is that against the rules here?

    Thanks.
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    • Profile picture of the author blue_sky
      Originally Posted by John Williamson View Post

      Question: If my site is for sale on Flippa, can I also put it in the Websites for Sale section on WF to get more exposure for the Flippa listing? Or is that against the rules here?
      I have seen people doing it - so the ad was approved...

      You could do it on DP but use a new account since you WILL get banned...its a good thing to outsource...

      @john - the user freshdomain should hire you ;-)))
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