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Question: What's a website with 12,000,000 hits a month worth?

by EvolBaby
60 replies
Okay a pal of mine has a news site that gets 12 million front page hits a month. He is getting on in years and is tired of managing the site and radio programs he does.

If he sells it what might it be worth? Would it be good to buy just for the traffic cannibalizing or some other strategy?

I told him to keep the site and use far better IM tactics as I know he could be making millions if he did that but he's just not listening.
#hits #month #question #website #worth
  • Profile picture of the author iAmNameLess
    Well, the 12 mill hits are definitely worth more to him than anyone else. You need to find a good buyer, thats all. Don't auction it off, find a buyer. Can you prove it is 12 mill uniques? How much money is it bringing in through adsense?
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    • Profile picture of the author Edwards WOrld
      It just depends how target it is to the niche an if he is better off monetizing it with similar offers etc.

      Maybe offer ad space too. If he really wants to sell it there needs to be a business model in place to show the buyer if not he will probably get a low deal like that.

      It just depends you need more info or a url for a warrior to see an evaluate.

      -EA
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  • Profile picture of the author Brian Lett
    The truth is that he should keep the site and find out the best way to monetize it. It would be good to know what kind of news the site covers. Is it an AP feed, a specific country, world news? This would give me a better idea as to what the site is worth.

    Nonetheless, the best answer that I can give is that your friend's site is worth whatever a buyer is willing to pay. If the right buyer can recognize the right opportunity to monetize the website, your friend might not have to work another day in his life.
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  • Profile picture of the author EvolBaby
    Oh there's no question about his traffic. None. All well documented.

    He hasn't monetized the site for income and I've been after him for that for years. Just a few adjustments and he'd be rolling in all kinds of dough. I think he's just bored and tired with all the work he does. His site is where talk show host Alex Jones got his boost from. Lots of celebs have been on the site but it's real head banging news stuff. Believe you me, if he had just a few of the warriors on WF on his team they would have turned that site around in like a few days.
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  • Profile picture of the author Anup Mahajan
    wow 12 million hits is a big number. I think your friend should monetize the site first and then list it for selling. He can earn a big amount by monetizing the site well

    Regards,
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  • Profile picture of the author iAmNameLess
    How much is he looking for right now? I'll put $10,000 on the table once I can verify traffic stats and analytics for the past year or so.
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    • Profile picture of the author Tsnyder
      Originally Posted by iAmNameLess View Post

      How much is he looking for right now? I'll put $10,000 on the table once I can verify traffic stats and analytics for the past year or so.
      So would I... LOL

      If the site is legitimately getting 12 million unique visitors
      per month it's a 7 figure site even if it's not making a dime
      right now.

      Tsnyder
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  • Profile picture of the author Mike McAleer
    how many uniques what traffic sources
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  • Profile picture of the author EvolBaby
    I can tell right now you guys are on your A games.
    His site is estimated at a value of $5 million plus. He has newsfeeds and viewer submitted stories from every part of the globe but the content is alternative news like infowars.com and coasttocoastam.com .

    I've told him he needs a marketer to come in and monetize the site but he's hard headed. What he wants is to have someone just buy the site, keep him as radio host and just run the site. I told him that a real marketer may not want to do what he wants and is interested only in ROI. If he optimized it for member blogs, IM, ads, he'd be making a killing. One link from his news feed brings in over 20,000 hits in a day. He's just not savvy about marketing and is too opinionated to see the light of day.

    He wants me to sell the site for him but if he's not willing to compromise a bit it's going to be a hard sell. On the other hand, considering the traffic he gets a smart marketer could put together a buy plan and make millions in a month or two if they know what they're doing. Heck, just a few hot WSOs would make a fortune on his site in a few days but I have to convince him not to sell but to optimize and monetize.
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    • Profile picture of the author Edwards WOrld
      Just put the lucky 12million unique month url up thanks.

      -EA
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      • Profile picture of the author EvolBaby
        Originally Posted by Edwards WOrld View Post

        Just put the lucky 12million unique month url up thanks.

        -EA
        No I can't Ed. It's too controversial and don't want to mix up WF with that mess. Private yes but public no. It's just a question I'm asking as this is a problem case and I've told this guy just what the other warriors have been saying and they all make perfect sense. I can show him this thread and hopefully he'll get it. Maybe even cut a deal with you Warriors to sell your goods on his site.

        Considering the super deals you find on WF I think they fit his agenda very well and could help millions of people get their online business interests going in the right direction, however, IM is so specialized that only pros should be available to the public on this scale and there are so many pros here that it boggles the mind. My other two pals have massive websites just like his and I've been asking their producers to IM monetize too. They just don't get it yet. It's been like 15 years working with these guys and they're just now coming around to what IM can do. btw I met all these guys when I was working for AOL and we had one of the biggest magazine/forum/chatrooms on AOL and we partnered with coasttocoastam.com when Art Bell was the radio host then.
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      • Profile picture of the author 2gts
        If he's getting 12 million hits per month he's obviously very smart and by the sound of it, most likely set in his ways. So no matter what you tell him, he's not going to take your advice. However this doesn't mean you can't negotiate with him....

        Personally I would do what he says ....Work on selling the site for a very high price, so high that it's going to take a very long time to find a buyer. Tell him in return for selling his site, you want to put up your own banner on the homepage above the fold, and you also want an email capture on the side bar giving away some free report.

        You should be able to figure out the rest from here...
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        • Profile picture of the author Edwards WOrld
          ............................
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        • Profile picture of the author EvolBaby
          Originally Posted by 2gts View Post

          If he's getting 12 million hits per month he's obviously very smart and by the sound of it, most likely set in his ways. So no matter what you tell him, he's not going to take your advice. However this doesn't mean you can't negotiate with him....

          Personally I would do what he says ....Work on selling the site for a very high price, so high that it's going to take a very long time to find a buyer. Tell him in return for selling his site, you want to put up your own banner on the homepage above the fold, and you also want an email capture on the side bar giving away some free report.

          You should be able to figure out the rest from here...
          Thanks! Yes, I agree, however it's so frustrating when you have someone with insane potential asking for help but then is not understanding of the help offered. I'm dealing with nuts and bolts statistics with him now and hoping to get someone who knows the flow to just point me in the right direction. Like myself I was so busy with art and news I didn't dive into IM but now see the value. My associates are the same way. From animation to comics, to news to science, these people are on tv, know major celebs, can get traffic flying in from all corners but have them optimize their sites for profit? It's like pulling teeth. I have 5 friends with combined unique hits of 50 million uniques a month. Only one of their sites is monetary optimized to some degree. They're just so "save the world" minded they'll use up valuable front page space to promote saving some starving village or rescuing mankind from fluoride poisoning or save the dolphins.
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          • Profile picture of the author AprilCT
            Maybe what he really needs is to find a business partner who can take over the site, monetize it properly (while keeping the site almost as it was), let him keep his radio show, and then share in the profits on the site. That might be worth more than selling it, and he wouldn't have to be burdened by all the day to day operations.
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            • Profile picture of the author EvolBaby
              Originally Posted by AprilCT View Post

              Maybe what he really needs is to find a business partner who can take over the site, monetize it properly (while keeping the site almost as it was), let him keep his radio show, and then share in the profits on the site. That might be worth more than selling it, and he wouldn't have to be burdened by all the day to day operations.
              That's what I've been telling him also. I'm hunting around for buyers and looking at all options. If he just utilized his subscriber base he'd make a fortune. I think he's just so frustrated with working for over a decade at 12 hours a day that it's taking it's toll. I'm still trying to convince him of alternatives to selling the site outright. If he sold ebooks via Kindle he'd make stupid money. He's a top writer and mega award winning tv producer too but he says he just doesn't have the time to pursue. I could just tear my hair out looking at how much money he's missing out on on a daily basis.
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  • Profile picture of the author InternetSuccess001
    If it is 12 million uniques... (and non spam)...

    I'd say he could or rather should, be generating at least $150k-$300k/month. So if he was to sell it, *if* he put that into place (the proper selling/marketing/etc), taking a valuation of about 12 months income @ that rate, perhaps 1-3 million.
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  • Profile picture of the author denisjor
    Hey EvolBaby,

    Sounds like your fishing here......not a bad idea.

    Sorry, I don't have $5 million at the present time. But, from a lot of the claims that I see around on this forum, you should find someone pretty easily.

    Just a little humor here....
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    • Profile picture of the author EvolBaby
      Originally Posted by denisjor View Post

      Hey EvolBaby,

      Sounds like your fishing here......not a bad idea.

      Sorry, I don't have $5 million at the present time. But, from a lot of the claims that I see around on this forum, you should find someone pretty easily.

      Just a little humor here....
      Humor noted. Yes I had to come to WF as I know the Warriors know every angle there is to buying/selling sites and optimizing them for profit. There are people here who could optimize a brick into gold if you toss it at em'.
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  • Profile picture of the author O0o0O
    Ok, so he spends ten years on the site working 12 hours a day... that's over 40,000 hours working on the website, and he forgot to put ads on it?
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    • Profile picture of the author ExRat
      Hi EvolBaby,

      He is getting on in years
      They're just so "save the world" minded they'll use up valuable front page space to promote saving some starving village or rescuing mankind from fluoride poisoning or save the dolphins.
      I presume you are younger than him? With the greatest respect -

      One day when you are older, some things may occur (or may have occurred) to you in life that might make you realise that the beliefs that you hold, which lead you to think that the pursuit of financial gain over all other considerations, including the plight of starving villages, mass poisonings and saving dolphins, are not actually held because of some idealistic pursuit that you dreamt up due to you being so smart, but are in fact a type of conditioning implanted and enforced upon you by those with far more financial wealth than you will ever have, purely in order to mislead you and to keep you enslaved to them.

      Maybe if you achieve this realisation, you will laugh at your naivety and the irony of how your ambition and efforts towards independence, security and 'wealth' were actually the very things that led to and guaranteed your permanent enslavement by those much smarter than you and your permanent lack of real 'wealth' for yourself and those who depend on you.

      'None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free.' Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe 1749-1832

      I told him to keep the site and use far better IM tactics as I know he could be making millions if he did that but he's just not listening.
      Perhaps the owner of this website, who is presumeably older than you, has actually managed to gain plenty of knowledge and wisdom throughout those extra years. Perhaps he doesn't really want your advice or assistance and is simply humouring you in order not to hurt your feelings or dampen your enthusiasm?

      No offence or slight intended to you my friend, just offering a different perspective as food for thought. Just because someone doesn't hold the desire to monetise absolutely everything under their control to the maximum, it is not always wise to assume that they are ignorant and require education, or that they are short of money, or that their own goals are not worthy, foolish or even connected with 'wealth.' In fact, the polar opposite could well be true and the person making the assumption could be the person who is actually in need of the very same.

      Just as a suggestion - one which may seem to bizarre to you - why not ask this person if there are any lessons about wealth which they could impart upon you, seeing as how they have created and own something which you would surely like to emulate yourself?

      You may even discover that the reason that their web property is so successful and in demand has something to do with the difference in your approaches.
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      • Profile picture of the author EvolBaby
        Originally Posted by ExRat View Post

        Hi EvolBaby,


        No offence or slight intended to you my friend, just offering a different perspective as food for thought. Just because someone doesn't hold the desire to monetise absolutely everything under their control to the maximum, it is not always wise to assume that they are ignorant and require education, or that they are short of money. In fact, the polar opposite could well be true and the person making the assumption could be the person who is actually in need of the very same.
        Dude, he's only five years older than I am and we both worked in mainstream news together. I was in print, he was in television. Having hopes for helping mankind is good but not taking into account the reality of the need for capital to do so is not good. It' simple math.

        I've got a graveyard full of people who helped mankind but died broke and left others to handle their debts and responsibilities.

        No offense, but I've been there, done that, saved tons of lives and have done more than most ever have, however, I realize the fact the knowledge and application of capital and effort is a sane platform. To do otherwise is dangerous.
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        • Profile picture of the author ExRat
          Hi EvolBaby,

          Dude, he's only five years older than I am and we both worked in mainstream news together. I was in print, he was in television. Having hopes for helping mankind is good but not taking into account the reality of the need for capital to do so is not good. It' simple math.

          I've got a graveyard full of people who helped mankind but died broke and left others to handle their debts and responsibilities.

          No offense, but I've been there, done that, saved tons of lives and have done more than most ever have, however, I realize the fact the knowledge and application of capital and effort is a sane platform. To do otherwise is dangerous.
          So why on earth are you asking questions in here like -

          Question: What's a website with 12,000,000 hits a month worth?
          Your answer to me (above) implies that you have all of the answers. Anyone who has 'saved tons of lives' obviously does.

          Your thread doesn't imply the same. I see a lot of Gordon Gecko type of talk throughout the thread about how to monetise websites insinuating that the guy with 12m hits doesn't have a clue, yet when I click for a little further investigation I see the dreaded Google 'microfinance empowers' ads - nice to see that you're 'doing your bit.'
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          • Profile picture of the author EvolBaby
            Originally Posted by ExRat View Post

            Hi EvolBaby,

            So why on earth are you asking questions in here like -

            Your answer to me (above) implies that you have all of the answers. Anyone who has 'saved tons of lives' obviously does.

            Your thread doesn't imply the same.
            No, that's your assumption. And when you "assume'...
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            • Profile picture of the author ExRat
              Hi EvolBaby,

              No, that's your assumption. And when you "assume'...
              Well, clearly it's not.

              Good luck to you and have a nice day.
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      • Profile picture of the author InternetSuccess001
        I think ExRat raised some excellent points.

        I did not know what this site was about, but after reading further, it appears to be a "alternative" news site. And, I would actually agree -- that perhaps he is more interested in someone making a difference in the world, making other people's lives better, more informed, etc -- as opposed to straight monetization.

        Of course, "money" is great. It can help get you a lot of material things that without it, are hard to get. But once you get to a certain level of wealth, you realize there is more to life than just 'getting' money.

        A lot of people figure that 'when' they get 1 million dollars (or whatever amount) -- there life will be 'different'. The only difference is that they will be the same person -- but now with one million dollars. Their personality will be the exactly the same, just now they'll have money which may help show their true personality traits.

        If this guy you know has worked on this site to make what he feels is a significant difference in the world, then I would actually agree with ExRat that money is not the most important thing to him. He is looking for someone to 'pass the torch' onto, to keep his 'baby' alive so to speak...

        Originally Posted by ExRat View Post

        Hi EvolBaby,

        I presume you are younger than him? With the greatest respect -

        One day when you are older, some things may occur (or may have occurred) to you in life that might make you realise that the beliefs that you hold, which lead you to think that the pursuit of financial gain over all other considerations, including the plight of starving villages, mass poisonings and saving dolphins, are not actually held because of some idealistic pursuit that you dreamt up due to you being so smart, but are in fact a type of conditioning implanted and enforced upon you by those with far more financial wealth than you will ever have, purely in order to mislead you and to keep you enslaved to them.

        Maybe if you achieve this realisation, you will laugh at your naivety and the irony of how your ambition and efforts towards independence, security and 'wealth' were actually the very things that led to and guaranteed your permanent enslavement by those much smarter than you and your permanent lack of real 'wealth' for yourself and those who depend on you.

        'None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free.' Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe 1749-1832

        Perhaps the owner of this website, who is presumeably older than you, has actually managed to gain plenty of knowledge and wisdom throughout those extra years. Perhaps he doesn't really want your advice or assistance and is simply humouring you in order not to hurt your feelings or dampen your enthusiasm?

        No offence or slight intended to you my friend, just offering a different perspective as food for thought. Just because someone doesn't hold the desire to monetise absolutely everything under their control to the maximum, it is not always wise to assume that they are ignorant and require education, or that they are short of money, or that their own goals are not worthy, foolish or even connected with 'wealth.' In fact, the polar opposite could well be true and the person making the assumption could be the person who is actually in need of the very same.

        Just as a suggestion - one which may seem to bizarre to you - why not ask this person if there are any lessons about wealth which they could impart upon you, seeing as how they have created and own something which you would surely like to emulate yourself?

        You may even discover that the reason that their web property is so successful and in demand has something to do with the difference in your approaches.
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        • Profile picture of the author EvolBaby
          Originally Posted by InternetSuccess001 View Post

          I think ExRat raised some excellent points.

          I did not know what this site was about, but after reading further, it appears to be a "alternative" news site. And, I would actually agree -- that perhaps he is more interested in someone making a difference in the world, making other people's lives better, more informed, etc -- as opposed to straight monetization.

          Of course, "money" is great. It can help get you a lot of material things that without it, are hard to get. But once you get to a certain level of wealth, you realize there is more to life than just 'getting' money.

          A lot of people figure that 'when' they get 1 million dollars (or whatever amount) -- there life will be 'different'. The only difference is that they will be the same person -- but now with one million dollars. Their personality will be the exactly the same, just now they'll have money which may help show their true personality traits.

          If this guy you know has worked on this site to make what he feels is a significant difference in the world, then I would actually agree with ExRat that money is not the most important thing to him. He is looking for someone to 'pass the torch' onto, to keep his 'baby' alive so to speak...
          Sure I can agree that a good purpose, something that helps humanity is fine, however as one who has worked in alternative news for 15 years I can tell you having money is VERY important due to the sheer volume of people who have come to the alternative news sites. Remember, Matt Drudge who has one of the biggest websites on Earth is alternative news. When Matt started out he would come to our Alt News forum on AOL. Then he got made when he broke the story about Clinton/Lewinsky. He and the rest of us posted stories that mainstream news was forbidden to do or scared to do such as alternative energy sources, safe treatments for diseases, whistleblowers, etc. WikiLeaks and sites like it are offshoots of what we did way back when. Without capital you become a target of lawsuits and lawyers have to get paid. When you expose a scandal you need loot. Plain and simple. That's why guys like Alex Jones sell products to be able to keep on working. He busts his ass working. Same with Art Bell and George Noory. Art opened the door for alt news along with Rense. Those guys got had to battle in court left and right sometimes. Same with now Jones, Drudge, Assange, and more.
          I worked in mainstream news. For the biggest newspaper chain in the world. I worked in editorial doing editorial cartoons for the hole chain. Believe you me, mainstream news or alt news you will piss somebody off. If you have a big network like Noory and Limbaugh have you can defend yourself well. If not you need attorneys who believe in what you do who will hook you up pro bono. Alternative news via the web has changed the face of the planet and the numerous sites that have popped up over the past ten years proved to mainstream that the web and stories people really care about can get the big numbers. Some guys like Limbaugh and Noory have the networks and people who can back them up when the crap hits the fan. Believe you me, I've booked guests for all the top radio shows over the years. It's been very dangerous especially the stories that battled against the oil cartels, pharmaceutical gangsters, banksters, even paranormal stuff. There have been people I've known who got themselves killed for doing alt news. The truth is dangerous if you don't make people laugh when you tell it. Look at Charlie Sheen. He's alllll over the news but he broke his story on Alex Jones' site. I remember Alex when he was just in his 20's starting out. Used to come to our forum on AOL. Sheen is pals with Jones and appears on his show regularly. Sheen now has started his own show with alt news.
          The mainstream press is terrified of alt news because to tell you the truth, as weird and outrageous as it can get with conspiracy theories etc., the accuracy rate is far higher than anyone expected. That's proven by the archives of the stories and broadcasts over the years which people can easily check now.
          So that's why monetizing a news or alt news site is important. Sure doing your part for mankind is swell but having enough money to do it and protect yourself is equally important.
          Look, even Batman has a lot of money or he'd be taking the bus to battle crime
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          • Profile picture of the author ExRat
            Hi again EvolBaby,

            I can tell you having money is VERY important due to the sheer volume of people who have come to the alternative news sites.
            So how has your friend avoided the perils of this niche, bearing in mind his 12m hits pm and his lack of income?
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          • Profile picture of the author InternetSuccess001
            Well, in that case... I'd suggest:

            a) Finding products/services that he can promote 'in line' with his viewpoints. I.e., it would be no good promoting a casino on a Christian website.
            b) Show him how promoting these products/services will help him to reach more people and do more good.

            John
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    • Profile picture of the author EvolBaby
      Originally Posted by O0o0O View Post

      Ok, so he spends ten years on the site working 12 hours a day... that's over 40,000 hours working on the website, and he forgot to put ads on it?
      Of course not. He's had ads on the site but he nor his team know how to monetize it. He usually runs ads that are suited to his political or social agenda that are mainly health related. He's a top nutritionist. If he had WF knowledge he'd have optimized those products and more. That's the point.
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  • Profile picture of the author Doran Peck
    Offer to manage the site for him, monetise it and split the earnings. You will make (multiples of tens) times the amount of whatever pittance you sell it for.

    ...and yeah...even 5 million is a pittance compared to what he will have raked in after another 12 years.

    He is bored?? Well if this site was bringing in 4 million revenue a year he'd get unbored real quick.

    Heck...Lemme stick a banner ad on it and I'll split my profits with you.
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    • Profile picture of the author EvolBaby
      Originally Posted by Doran Peck View Post

      Offer to manage the site for him, monetise it and split the earnings. You will make (multiples of tens) times the amount of whatever pittance you sell it for.

      ...and yeah...even 5 million is a pittance compared to what he will have raked in after another 12 years.

      He is bored?? Well if this site was bringing in 4 million revenue a year he'd get unbored real quick.

      Heck...Lemme stick a banner ad on it and I'll split my profits with you.
      I hear that! I just drool looking at the traffic he gets. There was a time if he promoted a book on his site it would hit the top ten on Amazon. That's how the other guys do, they get so many hits they promote a book and it explodes on Amazon. I couldn't manage a site like his as it has such a massive database of news stories, links, and so on. I've even asked him to switch his message board over to phbb but he's reluctant to. When I get that much resistance from someone I usually walk away but he's a good man who took on lots of crooks in government and industry and it's taking it's toll. These radio hosts really work long hard hours. I know as I've seen it for decades. I just didn't have a desire to do voice on radio. It's brutal work.
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  • Profile picture of the author AndreVas
    From someone who sold a 93,000,000 pageviews p/m, and 13,000,000 uniques p/m site last year June...

    It's worth what the buyer is willing to pay based on the sites monthly earnings. And 1% will have to do with it's traffic. Infact, that 12 mil number is irrelevant or relevant as saying it gets 100 uniques per month, yet with same monthly income. It's sale price wouldn't be affected even 1%.

    When it's put on sale, it will take at least 6 months to sell it. Anything less, FORGET IT! Your highest paying buyer could be in Hawaii until Dec 2011. Meaning, it's your job to ****RESIST**** initial tempting high offers.

    And truth is: for every 10 seemingly "super-interested" people, 9 of them will take at least 3 months to evaluate your business and investigate it's every weak/strong point. At least if you're asking $300,000+ for your business (or your friends site in this case).

    Also, speak via voice (Skype) to everyone of your interested buyers. Not via email, else you won't even get 1/10th of the potential price by negotiating via email.

    In summary: That 12 million is no better then 100 visitors per month. The monthly income is what matters. Traffic is completely, utterly useless.

    And yes, I know % of you will disagree with last statement. My question is: Are you a potential buyer? NO!

    Until you get asked to pay $100,000+ for a site... see what you really care about... it's traffic or it's monthly earnings... considering you're about to take 100K out of your bank account into Escrow.com
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    • Profile picture of the author goindeep
      Originally Posted by AndreVas View Post

      In summary: That 12 million is no better then 100 visitors per month. The monthly income is what matters. Traffic is completely, utterly useless.
      Because you have made one or two big sells. Dont mean squat. It just means your one or two steps in front of me

      The big boys seem to think 'scale' counts.

      Google never made a dime for years...

      Twitter never made a dime for years...

      Facebook didnt make money for a little while...

      Monthly income is good. But tell a media giant you have 12 million visitors a month and watch them optimize the **** out that 12 million people!
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    • Profile picture of the author InternetSuccess001
      Actually, it depends what kind of traffic it is.

      If it was just a bunch of linkfarms, it would be less valueable than say a news site.

      A site does not have to be monetized for it to have value -- that would be like saying uncut diamonds are worthless simply because they have not been cut. (which incidentally is a different story, because part of the high price is due to De Beers).

      It depends on the individual or company purchasing the site.

      John

      Originally Posted by AndreVas View Post

      From someone who sold a 93,000,000 pageviews p/m, and 13,000,000 uniques p/m site last year June...

      It's worth what the buyer is willing to pay based on the sites monthly earnings. And 1% will have to do with it's traffic. Infact, that 12 mil number is irrelevant or relevant as saying it gets 100 uniques per month, yet with same monthly income. It's sale price wouldn't be affected even 1%.

      When it's put on sale, it will take at least 6 months to sell it. Anything less, FORGET IT! Your highest paying buyer could be in Hawaii until Dec 2011. Meaning, it's your job to ****RESIST**** initial tempting high offers.

      And truth is: for every 10 seemingly "super-interested" people, 9 of them will take at least 3 months to evaluate your business and investigate it's every weak/strong point. At least if you're asking $300,000+ for your business (or your friends site in this case).

      Also, speak via voice (Skype) to everyone of your interested buyers. Not via email, else you won't even get 1/10th of the potential price by negotiating via email.

      In summary: That 12 million is no better then 100 visitors per month. The monthly income is what matters. Traffic is completely, utterly useless.

      And yes, I know % of you will disagree with last statement. My question is: Are you a potential buyer? NO!

      Until you get asked to pay $100,000+ for a site... see what you really care about... it's traffic or it's monthly earnings... considering you're about to take 100K out of your bank account into Escrow.com
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    • Profile picture of the author Doran Peck
      Originally Posted by AndreVas View Post

      From someone who sold a 93,000,000 pageviews p/m, and 13,000,000 uniques p/m site last year June...

      It's worth what the buyer is willing to pay based on the sites monthly earnings. And 1% will have to do with it's traffic. Infact, that 12 mil number is irrelevant or relevant as saying it gets 100 uniques per month, yet with same monthly income. It's sale price wouldn't be affected even 1%.

      When it's put on sale, it will take at least 6 months to sell it. Anything less, FORGET IT! Your highest paying buyer could be in Hawaii until Dec 2011. Meaning, it's your job to ****RESIST**** initial tempting high offers.

      And truth is: for every 10 seemingly "super-interested" people, 9 of them will take at least 3 months to evaluate your business and investigate it's every weak/strong point. At least if you're asking $300,000+ for your business (or your friends site in this case).

      Also, speak via voice (Skype) to everyone of your interested buyers. Not via email, else you won't even get 1/10th of the potential price by negotiating via email.

      In summary: That 12 million is no better then 100 visitors per month. The monthly income is what matters. Traffic is completely, utterly useless.

      And yes, I know % of you will disagree with last statement. My question is: Are you a potential buyer? NO!

      Until you get asked to pay $100,000+ for a site... see what you really care about... it's traffic or it's monthly earnings... considering you're about to take 100K out of your bank account into Escrow.com

      Ok if the traffic is a non-factor...then yeah I am a potential buyer...I'll bid $137 for it....cuz apparently its not worth anymore than a site getting 100 hits per month.

      So...what do you think the odds are that I get outbid? ...and why do you think that is?

      If you were a land developer and someone said to you ok I have two tourist beaches for sale which can be developed, each selling for 5 million...one has some established shops - gets about 400,000 visitors a year, and has an established income of 4 million. The other beach has no current income, but it attracts 40 million people a year.

      Which beach are you gonna buy?

      There comes a point my friend when a huge amount of webtraffic does become a major factor....to say it is always irrelevant is just ...well I have to roll my eyes at it, sorry. Maybe I misread your meaning or something got lost in translation, dunno.


      DP
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      • Profile picture of the author skibbz
        what is the url of this site? are you sure its 12 million uniques or is it 12 million page views? because with 12 million uniques he should be earning a quiet handsome adsense income
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  • Profile picture of the author rondo
    Call Alex Jones and see if he's interested.

    Andrew
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    • Profile picture of the author EvolBaby
      Originally Posted by rondo View Post

      Call Alex Jones and see if he's interested.

      Andrew
      You're kidding, right?
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      • Profile picture of the author rondo
        Originally Posted by EvolBaby View Post

        You're kidding, right?
        No. He might be the perfect buyer for the site.
        From what you've said above I assume he's familiar with the site, and he'd probably like the extra traffic it would bring him.
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  • Profile picture of the author AzzamS
    If the site is niche targeted i.e. news then it is worth making a lot of noise around it as possible.

    If you can get some kind of publicity stunt going without mentioning the sale i.e. by interviewing or creating articles that get seen by techcrunch, new york times, mashable, etc then this will thrust it in the main stream lime light.

    Think huffington post and the AOL buyout. Huffington Post would get mentioned in these sites and their articles would be used as synication also. If this is already happening then amplify this sort of like a pre-sell launch.
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    • Profile picture of the author EvolBaby
      Originally Posted by AzzamS View Post

      If the site is niche targeted i.e. news then it is worth making a lot of noise around it as possible.

      If you can get some kind of publicity stunt going without mentioning the sale i.e. by interviewing or creating articles that get seen by techcrunch, new york times, mashable, etc then this will thrust it in the main stream lime light.

      Think huffington post and the AOL buyout. Huffington Post would get mentioned in these sites and their articles would be used as synication also. If this is already happening then amplify this sort of like a pre-sell launch.
      Assam you are so on your A game! That's just the promo approach his team is approaching regarding the Huffington and AOL deal. There's so much news on his site that it's insane and a huge amount of that is original content provided by fans and guests.

      The other talk show hosts have a variety of ways they monetize their sites. It's tough because although they may be people you like you may not agree with all their opinions. You would laugh at the arguments we get into! The one thing we do agree on is freedom of speech and informing the public of dangers. When you look at a site like Rush Limbaugh's that has the best that money can buy you see where he can pick and choose to what he wants to do regarding ads etc. He gets so much traffic and has so much exposure if he farts somebody just made a million bucks.

      It's a bit too much for me to take on as there are so many conflicting factors. Best I can do is find some brave soul who can negotiate these kinds of media/website deals. I can't divert from my battle plan I've learned and have been applying from WF. Gotta keep a steady course and not get sidetracked even if the offer looks too good to be true.
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      • Profile picture of the author AzzamS
        Originally Posted by EvolBaby View Post

        Assam you are so on your A game! That's just the promo approach his team is approaching regarding the Huffington and AOL deal. There's so much news on his site that it's insane and a huge amount of that is original content provided by fans and guests.

        The other talk show hosts have a variety of ways they monetize their sites. It's tough because although they may be people you like you may not agree with all their opinions. You would laugh at the arguments we get into! The one thing we do agree on is freedom of speech and informing the public of dangers. When you look at a site like Rush Limbaugh's that has the best that money can buy you see where he can pick and choose to what he wants to do regarding ads etc. He gets so much traffic and has so much exposure if he farts somebody just made a million bucks.

        It's a bit too much for me to take on as there are so many conflicting factors. Best I can do is find some brave soul who can negotiate these kinds of media/website deals. I can't divert from my battle plan I've learned and have been applying from WF. Gotta keep a steady course and not get sidetracked even if the offer looks too good to be true.
        from reading your post I am thinking that influencing change has been a challenge.

        If you go by the route of selling the site then the focus should be 'off site marketing' for this you just need to execute a strategy which need not require much input from the owner of the site providing you with more freedom.

        However it would probably still require new set of content, content that is getting syndicated and most importantly 'picked up' on the radar of the bigger players.

        Get this into your mindset - There are investors who buy on the basis of the potential that a product 'could' have.

        Now target those who are consider investors and not just those looking to buy a business, they are two different breeds.

        Not monetizing and scaling a site without monetizing can actually at times have a better impression on a potential investor since they understand it is harder to scale then a non monetised site.

        Go to Quora were all the big player in the internet world hang out and rewrite the original question but with more meat looking for the same answer. You will peak interest there and possibly make more connections.
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  • Profile picture of the author Shannon Tani
    I'd like to second the idea of finding a partner that could take over the site and share in the riches. It seems that maybe the site is kinda like his baby, making him reluctant to change anything. I'm sure that he'd be disappointed if a buyer significantly changed what he's got going on.
    Finding a partner could give him the profit that he needs along with maintaining some type of creative control.
    Love,
    Shannon
    PS. You're killing us. I'm sure we're all dying to know what site it is. I made a guess at a site that I used to frequent, but I see now that that one is plastered with advertisements. haha.
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  • Profile picture of the author terrapurus
    Stick adsense on it. Get a months data. Multiply that by 12 for a rough valuation.
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  • Profile picture of the author Drewry_Media
    In my personal opinion, I would estimate that a website with 12 million hits is worth alot of money, since they've invested the time, effort and went somewhat overboard with creating enough unique content and everything else to attract that much traffic. I would pay virtually any amount, based on conversions from that 12 million online foot traffic, for a link back to my website, blog, or forum of choice, because I know not only would it boost my online reputation, but, it would also convert traffic easier.
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    Drewry l DNN
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  • Profile picture of the author jeeps
    12m visitors a month and you cannot give us the URL .... I call foul. Plus, is it hits or visitors?
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    • Profile picture of the author candoit2
      Originally Posted by jeeps View Post

      12m visitors a month and you cannot give us the URL .... I call foul. Plus, is it hits or visitors?
      What would be the logic in him revealing the name of the site here? The OP is obviously much smarter than that.


      Aaron
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  • Profile picture of the author Tsnyder
    Do some research... get ahold of InterNet Brands.

    Tsnyder
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    If you knew what I know you'd be doing what I do...
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  • Profile picture of the author EvolBaby
    Well the bottom line is he's got to finish his legal affairs before he gets total clearance to offer the site up for partner/sale.

    One thing I thought of would be to ask his subscriber base to invest. Like pick 100 subscribers to fork over some cash and then they could benefit from posting their ads and products on the site indefinitely. That way in the long run he'd be able to generate income get his new staff trained and constantly flow income to his investment base. Since they're fans already they know the content and direction of the site and there wouldn't be any conflicts.
    So thanks Warriors for your input. When he does go live with his solicitation I'll let you all know in this thread first. Hopefully things will go alright and he can continue what he's doing with peace of mind even though we fight all the time over political viewpoints but like the man said "I may disagree with what you say but I'll fight to the death for your right to say it."
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  • Profile picture of the author Ti
    Let me know if you need help on this. I've personally sold websites I owned in the millions of dollars and have also consulted with others on website acquisitions. I have a proven history of this (will provide refs in PM). If your friend needs help on this, let me know, send me a PM.
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  • Profile picture of the author zac2
    Banned
    Why is the site a secret? 12 million visitors get to see it each month so why not us too?
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    • Profile picture of the author Sandra Martinez
      Alternative news or opinions are complicated to monetize, as those offering advertising are on the other side of the street.

      And when you move the volume they move, to find and laser target offers that really make sense is a real challenge.

      Let me give you a lil example, I have a blog where I rant about things that call my attention. I monetize it with adsense and a couple of banners.

      Nothing serious as it is for fun.

      One article talked about money mixed up with religion and mentioned scientology and opus day as two examples of things gone very wrong. What ad google pulls? scientology

      And this happens systematically. When you look into monetization of things against the establishment, you have to become extremely creative.

      One thing that worked in an old community I had was to just promote products I liked whether they were connected with the information or not. I sold a ton of Sambazon products - that are the only ones I trust for ****.

      BUT, I´m just a sissie marketer who doesn´t put money on top of the equation. Just trying to help understand the situation so you can find monetization strategies that work for your friend. And once the site is monetized, it will be much easier to sell.
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      • Profile picture of the author goindeep
        What is the site in question please.

        I might be stupid But i dont understand why you wouldnt want to show us the site. I think it would help us answer a lot of your questions.

        For now i would tell you i have no idea how much a site that gets 12 mill worth of hits per month.

        Telling us its alternative is very vauge. I can show you ten 'alternative' sites right now, each of them totally different.
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      • Profile picture of the author EvolBaby
        Originally Posted by Sandra Martinez View Post

        Alternative news or opinions are complicated to monetize, as those offering advertising are on the other side of the street.

        And when you move the volume they move, to find and laser target offers that really make sense is a real challenge.

        Let me give you a lil example, I have a blog where I rant about things that call my attention. I monetize it with adsense and a couple of banners.

        Nothing serious as it is for fun.

        One article talked about money mixed up with religion and mentioned scientology and opus day as two examples of things gone very wrong. What ad google pulls? scientology

        And this happens systematically. When you look into monetization of things against the establishment, you have to become extremely creative.

        One thing that worked in an old community I had was to just promote products I liked whether they were connected with the information or not. I sold a ton of Sambazon products - that are the only ones I trust for ****.

        BUT, I´m just a sissie marketer who doesn´t put money on top of the equation. Just trying to help understand the situation so you can find monetization strategies that work for your friend. And once the site is monetized, it will be much easier to sell.
        You're spot on there! Thanks for the analysis.

        Anyhow, my pal finally got the greenlight to solicit and I'll post his site page here finally.

        Mind you, it's controversial news stuff and although I don't agree with what he says sometimes I respect that he's got the cajones to speak his piece. That happens in radio. I don't like what Russ Limbaugh says but I had to book a guest or refer a guest or data to him I'd have to.

        Here's the site:

        Rense.com Is Seeking To Expand And Grow...

        Please don't turn this thread into a debate about content and opinion, it's a matter of a high traffic site that is looking for specialized optimization from pros. Serious inquiries only. You can contact him by the email link at the bottom of the page. I'm no expert in selling sites so anyone interested is on their own. I'm sure the brave and bold will figure it out. What I'm also finding out is that there are other big traffic sites looking to be optimized for monitization. Especially in entertainment/media. Some webmasters/site owners know what they're doing and some just don't. Smart IMmers should make a killing in this regard. I have a meeting with two of the large radio networks regarding this issue. Matter of fact some of the radio programmers have been chatting about expanding to IM venues. I think it's because of the growth in people making money online and wanting to learn how to.
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        • Profile picture of the author Sandra Martinez
          Originally Posted by EvolBaby View Post

          You're spot on there! Thanks for the analysis.

          Anyhow, my pal finally got the greenlight to solicit and I'll post his site page here finally.

          Mind you, it's controversial news stuff and although I don't agree with what he says sometimes I respect that he's got the cajones to speak his piece. That happens in radio. I don't like what Russ Limbaugh says but I had to book a guest or refer a guest or data to him I'd have to.
          Anytime

          cajones? that means drawer... LOL sorry... i couldn´t resist.

          (I know what you mean, the word is cojones, typical in Spanish from Spain)
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  • Profile picture of the author JamieSEO
    Originally Posted by EvolBaby View Post

    Okay a pal of mine has a news site that gets 12 million front page hits a month. He is getting on in years and is tired of managing the site and radio programs he does.

    If he sells it what might it be worth? Would it be good to buy just for the traffic cannibalizing or some other strategy?

    I told him to keep the site and use far better IM tactics as I know he could be making millions if he did that but he's just not listening.
    Traffic is great... targeted traffic is better

    Does he have stats regarding the demographics of his traffic?

    It definitely has great revenue potential. Does he have any keywords ranked?

    Do a quick search in the Google Keyword Research Tool to see how much his keywords are worth, then google "AdSense Calculator" to get a quick idea of potential revenue per month
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