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How to take over a big site when you buy thru flippa?

by jkiley
8 replies
I am buying a big website thru flippa. I know that escrow is the way to go, but it is a big site. With affiliate accounts and physical server and code, etc. There might also be some training that I would need.

What are my options? Even if I do this face-to-face still I might miss few things. There are always issues as to what happens when the site is down because of transfer, etc.

Is there any checklist? I will appreciate if you guys could let me know.

Thanks
#big #buy #flippa #site
  • Profile picture of the author Newman8r
    What is the arrangement? Is the site being transferred to your own dedicated server? Are you the one doing the transferring? What type of CMS/scripts is the site using?

    Make sure you keep good backups of all the databases, etc.

    Also, consider creating a 'be back soon' message to show while the site is being transferred.
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    • Profile picture of the author guynextdoor
      I bought some large sites on Sitepoint and Sedo
      in the past. Here some tips which i had learned the hard
      way.


      1. Use Escrow....

      2. Contract..

      2a. Make sure that the contract includes
      ALL accounts and profiles on social media websites,
      forums and directories or your site will drop in SE-Rankings
      some weeks after you bought it.

      I bought a site where the seller simply changed important
      links to another site and startet to outrank
      me on important keywords!


      CHECK ALL BACKLINKS AND INCLUDE THE LIST - ANNEX


      2b. include a noncompetition clause !!!

      2c. include Passport Copys - ANNEX

      2d.Training is a matter for negotiation and should also
      include a fixed hourly rate for support after you closed
      the Deal - ANNEX

      2e. Print out all chat protocolls and emails between you and the
      seller and also include flippa listing - ANNEX


      2f.Partial Payment - matter for negotiations. ANNEX
      best is to come to a agreement where you pay 10% - 20% final payment
      3 months after you have full control over the website. This makes
      sure that you get all the training and support you may need.



      3... USE REGISTERED POST MAIL for sending the signed contracts!



      ---- if done right the website is NEVER down while you transfer --- !

      Set up the data base and all scripts and files.. if you'r not sure use another domain for testing before you change the DNS.
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      • Profile picture of the author jkiley
        Thanks. Good list!

        What is ANNEX?


        Originally Posted by guynextdoor View Post

        I bought some large sites on Sitepoint and Sedo
        in the past. Here some tips which i had learned the hard
        way.


        1. Use Escrow....

        2. Contract..

        2a. Make sure that the contract includes
        ALL accounts and profiles on social media websites,
        forums and directories or your site will drop in SE-Rankings
        some weeks after you bought it.

        I bought a site where the seller simply changed important
        links to another site and startet to outrank
        me on important keywords!


        CHECK ALL BACKLINKS AND INCLUDE THE LIST - ANNEX


        2b. include a noncompetition clause !!!

        2c. include Passport Copys - ANNEX

        2d.Training is a matter for negotiation and should also
        include a fixed hourly rate for support after you closed
        the Deal - ANNEX

        2e. Print out all chat protocolls and emails between you and the
        seller and also include flippa listing - ANNEX


        2f.Partial Payment - matter for negotiations. ANNEX
        best is to come to a agreement where you pay 10% - 20% final payment
        3 months after you have full control over the website. This makes
        sure that you get all the training and support you may need.



        3... USE REGISTERED POST MAIL for sending the signed contracts!



        ---- if done right the website is NEVER down while you transfer --- !

        Set up the data base and all scripts and files.. if you'r not sure use another domain for testing before you change the DNS.
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4709957].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author guynextdoor
          Annex(e) - additional agreements to the main sale contract.. special notes in the main contract pointing to other papers which are basis of the main contract.


          be carefull .. a lot of cheating and scamin on flippa... make sure you understand where the sales did come from before you sign! check the traffic and sales for unusally fractions!

          It is easy to generate 1000 usd in sales with 3000 usd advertising.. then sell the website for 10 000 usd!

          i am happy with the websites and domains i bought in the past.. but nearly never the sellers told me absolut truth! And most lie about the income.. usally 50% lower then they said or just possible with special promotion/ marketing which you may not be able to do yourself.

          If in doubt.. ask other specialist to evaluate the real value range or to point out questionable records.

          It is amazing how naive many people buy a website for 5 or 6 figure amounts! while the same people would never buy a car or a house with the same thin information and NO guarantee.
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          • Profile picture of the author jkiley
            Originally Posted by guynextdoor View Post

            Annex(e) - additional agreements to the main sale contract.. special notes in the main contract pointing to other papers which are basis of the main contract.


            be carefull .. a lot of cheating and scamin on flippa... make sure you understand where the sales did come from before you sign! check the traffic and sales for unusally fractions!

            It is easy to generate 1000 usd in sales with 3000 usd advertising.. then sell the website for 10 000 usd!

            i am happy with the websites and domains i bought in the past.. but nearly never the sellers told me absolut truth! And most lie about the income.. usally 50% lower then they said or just possible with special promotion/ marketing which you may not be able to do yourself.
            Yes, I am afraid of that too.

            I have access to the google analytics of the site so I have been compareing previous months and looking at where the traffic is coming from (search engine mostly).

            I guess until I take over the whole thing I will just not know if it is a good deal or not
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            • Profile picture of the author guynextdoor
              yes.. and it is the BEST WAY to learn Online Business fast!


              ASK for real time access for the payment gateway he is using too... he can login and show you his screen over skype check out if all the sales coming really from the website he is selling you.
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      • Profile picture of the author Diegan
        Incredibly good information! You could make a WSO

        Originally Posted by guynextdoor View Post

        I bought some large sites on Sitepoint and Sedo
        in the past. Here some tips which i had learned the hard
        way.


        1. Use Escrow....

        2. Contract..

        2a. Make sure that the contract includes
        ALL accounts and profiles on social media websites,
        forums and directories or your site will drop in SE-Rankings
        some weeks after you bought it.

        I bought a site where the seller simply changed important
        links to another site and startet to outrank
        me on important keywords!


        CHECK ALL BACKLINKS AND INCLUDE THE LIST - ANNEX


        2b. include a noncompetition clause !!!

        2c. include Passport Copys - ANNEX

        2d.Training is a matter for negotiation and should also
        include a fixed hourly rate for support after you closed
        the Deal - ANNEX

        2e. Print out all chat protocolls and emails between you and the
        seller and also include flippa listing - ANNEX


        2f.Partial Payment - matter for negotiations. ANNEX
        best is to come to a agreement where you pay 10% - 20% final payment
        3 months after you have full control over the website. This makes
        sure that you get all the training and support you may need.



        3... USE REGISTERED POST MAIL for sending the signed contracts!



        ---- if done right the website is NEVER down while you transfer --- !

        Set up the data base and all scripts and files.. if you'r not sure use another domain for testing before you change the DNS.
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4710137].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author jkiley
      Originally Posted by Newman8r View Post

      What is the arrangement? Is the site being transferred to your own dedicated server? Are you the one doing the transferring? What type of CMS/scripts is the site using?

      Make sure you keep good backups of all the databases, etc.

      Also, consider creating a 'be back soon' message to show while the site is being transferred.
      Sell includes the server too, so I will not be bringing it to my own server but I will have to see how much is the hosting and stuff. It seems like they pay about 1000 dollars / month for hosting and I would like to cut that cost.
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