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How to Make $50 - $100 Selling New Niche Sites?

by PalmTreeJack
27 replies
Hi. I'm very interested in selling/flipping relatively new websites for $50 - $100 profit each. I'm good at building big "authority" type sites and then selling them 6 months to a year down the road for a nice profit ($2000+ each usually)... but I'd like to figure out a way to create a steady weekly income stream selling new sites/domains with low traffic levels and little or no revenue.

My sites always have 100% original, useful, well-written content... a custom header graphic... a high-end Wordpress theme... and at least a couple of real backlinks from relevant pages. I also usually make a short, high-quality video to post both on the site and on YouTube. The content is always based around good keywords (usually product focused) with lots of related and LSI keywords added to maximize free search engine traffic over the long term.

The problem is that most buyers want to see significant traffic levels and/or revenue numbers before buying a website. Selling a site on Flippa.com costs around $50 in fees alone so I'd need to sell the sites for $100 - $150 to reach my profit goal.

If anyone could give me some tips for adding value (real and perceived) to a new site so that I could sell it for at least $50 profit it would be GREATLY appreciated... thank you!
#$100 #$50 #flippa #flipping #make #niche #niche sites #selling #selling a website #sites
  • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
    Banned
    With the video, unique content, custom header, etc., you might do better listing in Complete Sites for Sale here at WF. It only costs $20, so you get to keep more of the profit. Test it and see if that works for you before going to Flippa with startups.
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  • Profile picture of the author benzwm02
    As someone who searches for sites to buy on flippa I can tell you that if you can get them to profit regularly per month you will have no trouble turning a profit on them. Investors willing to let go of their money for sites want to make sure they are getting something that will profit in the future. There are too many site out there for sale right now that look nice but are earning nothing and have no traffic.
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  • Profile picture of the author PalmTreeJack
    sbucciarel - Thanks. I'm gonna try selling a few sites here on WF to see how it compares to Flippa.com.

    benzwm02 - I know that sites with months of earning history sell well. I've sold many like that myself, both on Flippa and through direct private sales. I'm specifically asking about strategies to sell new sites with low traffic and little to no earnings, for a pretty small amount of money. The bottom line is, I'd like to earn more "quick cash" while I'm building out my big authority sites.
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    • Profile picture of the author Claire Koch
      If you get traffic people will pay a lot more for your sites then you are suggesting here. Those amounts you are talking about can be easily had on sites where you just are selling a preinstalled script.

      People like the full package they don't necessarily need to see traffic and all.
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      • Profile picture of the author PalmTreeJack
        Originally Posted by Claire Koch View Post

        If you get traffic people will pay a lot more for your sites then you are suggesting here. Those amounts you are talking about can be easily had on sites where you just are selling a preinstalled script.

        People like the full package they don't necessarily need to see traffic and all.
        Claire, you're absolutely right. I know that sites with significant traffic and revenue history over the course of even just a couple of months sell very, very well.

        I'm asking about sites that are maybe 2 weeks old at most with just a trickle of traffic, few or no search engine rankings, and no real revenue. Just high-quality original content (at least 2000 words spread over 3-5 articles), a unique design, properly optimized Wordpress setup with the best plug-ins, a couple of good backlinks, and a quality optimized video. Oh, and all the initial keyword research already done for further content development.

        In my opinion sites like this are worth at least $100 - $200 each but I've found it hard to sell them at a big enough profit to make it worth the effort. I'd like to figure out what else I can add to the "package" to increase interest and bids. Should I include some kind of autoblogging script so that the sites get updated automatically?
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        • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
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          Originally Posted by PalmTreeJack View Post

          I'd like to figure out what else I can add to the "package" to increase interest and bids. Should I include some kind of autoblogging script so that the sites get updated automatically?
          With the Google updates, autoblogging is actually more detrimental to a site. It was very common to see sites that were autoblogs in Flippa. Don't know if it's still as common as it was, but I sure wouldn't be interested in an autoblog at this stage of the game.
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          • Profile picture of the author PalmTreeJack
            Originally Posted by sbucciarel View Post

            With the Google updates, autoblogging is actually more detrimental to a site. It was very common to see sites that were autoblogs in Flippa. Don't know if it's still as common as it was, but I sure wouldn't be interested in an autoblog at this stage of the game.
            I agree, which is why I've never offered sites with any type of autoblogging features. Although, I think that an auto-posting script/plugin that only posts pre-written, unique content could be a nice "Buy It Now" bonus.
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          • Profile picture of the author mervp
            Originally Posted by sbucciarel View Post

            With the Google updates, autoblogging is actually more detrimental to a site. It was very common to see sites that were autoblogs in Flippa. Don't know if it's still as common as it was, but I sure wouldn't be interested in an autoblog at this stage of the game.
            In defense of autoblogging, it's potentially detrimental to a site if it is monetized via Adsense, or is solely relying on SEO/ranking in order to get good traffic. If the site is built on several legs of traffic (social media, video, etc) the loss of SEO juice after a de-ranking may not be fatal to the site.
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        • Profile picture of the author greenyeti
          Originally Posted by PalmTreeJack View Post

          In my opinion sites like this are worth at least $100 - $200 each but I've found it hard to sell them at a big enough profit to make it worth the effort. I'd like to figure out what else I can add to the "package" to increase interest and bids. Should I include some kind of autoblogging script so that the sites get updated automatically?
          Sounds like that is your problem. If you built some and put them up, and no one was interested then the market doesn't support that price or you didn't get it in the front of the right people.

          Sites with established income sell better.
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          • Profile picture of the author PalmTreeJack
            Originally Posted by greenyeti View Post

            Sounds like that is your problem. If you built some and put them up, and no one was interested then the market doesn't support that price or you didn't get it in the front of the right people.

            Sites with established income sell better.
            I never said no one was interested. In fact I've sold nearly every site I've put up for sale, even the brand new ones. But making a $30-$40 profit on each site (non-aged sites) isn't enough to make it worthwhile for me, especially given the amount of time I spend just on creating good content for the sites.
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            • Profile picture of the author Sherry Han
              Have you tried eBay? I used to sell sites on there for a consistent $100-200 profit. And I'm talking about sites that take less than 2 hours to create. Simple Wordpress theme, add Amazon/eBay monetization widgets, a few articles from Ezine (not even original!), maybe a clickbank banner or two. People bought those up like crazy. I could BIN for $199 and sell within a few days.

              Sure I know the web selling landscape probably has changed drastically over the past few years, but eBay still has less fees than the other marketplaces. My guess is 10% or so and very cheap listing fees so no worrying about if it doesn't sell. I think auction style is free (but you'll have to pay for reserve fees).

              Alternatively I might be interested in quality sites such as yours! PM me.
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  • Profile picture of the author thetrafficguy2
    yeah , The best place for sure is to sell if on the warrior forums. You can make a lot of money if you get good reviews and do good work.
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  • Profile picture of the author PalmTreeJack
    Sherry - Thanks for the tip. I've heard from a few people that eBay is no longer a good place to sell quality sites because it's so filled with scammers (both buyers and sellers). But I may give it a try anyway just to see how it compares to Flippa. Do you have any tips about getting maximum value in an eBay auction?

    thetrafficguy2 - I'm definitely going to try selling a few sites here on WF... thanks!
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  • Profile picture of the author Mav91890
    Yeah, with ebay, have heard of people getting what they bid on and then filing a charge back.
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  • Profile picture of the author OLechat
    I wouldn't add any kind of autoblogging to a site you were hoping to sell -- better to include little or no content than to have autoblog content.

    We (I work at Flippa) have an update coming soon that you'll be interested in. Stay tuned for an announcement on our blog...
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  • Profile picture of the author PalmTreeJack
    OLechat -- Sounds very interesting... PLEASE tell me you guys are going to lower listing fees on newer "startup" type sites. I've sent that suggestion in to Flippa before because it makes so much sense!

    Your service is fantastic for established sites that go for $1000+ but the fees have become too high for lower-end sites. It's only a matter of time until a new auction sites emerges that specializes in sub-$1000 websites, charges much lower fees, and steals a big chunk of your market share.

    I understand you guys want to limit the amount of very low-quality "spam" sites in the Flippa listings but there are other ways to do that...
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    • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
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      Originally Posted by PalmTreeJack View Post

      Awesome! This is a very good move Flippa team!

      Say you're selling either a new site or established site on Flippa for $200

      New Site
      15% success fee = $30
      Listing Fee without enhancements = $9
      Startup Fee if sold = $39

      Established Site
      5% success fee if sold = $10
      Listing Fee without enhancements = $29
      Established Fee is sold = $39
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  • Profile picture of the author kolbywhite28
    Their new pricing structure: Simplified listing for New Websites | Flippa Blog | Buy & Sell Websites
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  • Profile picture of the author Zeus66
    Try this.....

    1. Give away a pack of niche sites as PLR to build a list. Now you have a list of people you know have an interest in niche sites and probably affiliate marketing (if that's how you set them up).

    2. Market custom one-off sites for sale at your $100 price (or whatever) to your list and promote them as single sale offers to the first to respond. Built-in scarcity and you'll probably get your price if the sites look good enough.

    3. Repeat this with different PLR packs to keep growing the list.

    4. Raise your prices as your list grows and demand grows with it.

    I know a few people who use this simple method and make good money every month.

    John
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  • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
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    Originally Posted by Brian Owens View Post

    If you're churning out pre-built sites with original content and designs and all you're looking to get for them is $50-100 per site...I think you should start a niche based service for people that want that type of thing rather than paying market places.
    This is true. I have always gotten a lot of requests for custom niches rather than the ones that I built myself (although they sell also), but there is a need for people who do it well in the niches they request. Since that is a one off sale, you don't charge PLR prices for that service. You charge custom prices, which is more in line with the pricing the OP was interested in at the high end.

    There's a lot of interest for this in the Complete Sites for Sale section. Whether it's Adsense sites or affiliate sites or other niches, people are interested in getting them done for them, and I don't mean just slapping a Wordpress installation together in an hour ... I mean adding a custom header/logo, some content, etc.

    IMO, 15% success rate fee is huge. Charging less on the front at the time of the listing for a new site but charging 15% success fee is not a bargain.
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  • Profile picture of the author clintmyers
    You could also add some high PR backlinks to make the site look better SEO wise.
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  • Profile picture of the author PalmTreeJack
    Brian Owens -- Thanks a lot. I'm definitely thinking about doing something similar to what you described. In fact, since starting this thread I've gotten a few people asking me if I can build custom authority sites for them. I'm better at building authority-type sites than small niche sites anyway (I can write 20 good articles on 1 topic easier than on 4 or 5 different topics). So I'm thinking about offering a service where I will build 20+ page sites with high-quality LSI content, a few good 1-3 minute videos, higher-end graphics (custom logo, header, etc), a press release, and a handful of quality high PR backlinks on related pages... all for about $300-$500 a pop depending on the niche. Do you think that could work?

    Zeus66 -- Great idea as well. I'm going to do exactly what you suggested.

    sbucciarel -- More great tips. I'm going to start reading all your posts because you obviously know a lot about the niche site selling business. Thank you!!
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  • Profile picture of the author PalmTreeJack
    By the way OLechat, the more I think about this new 15% success fee the more I realize just how big of a "gamble" it could be in some cases. I've had relatively young (less than 2 months old) sites sell for $2000 - $3000 in the past. It's not common but it does happen every once in awhile. So I could risk losing hundreds of dollars on a site that ends up selling for much more than I thought it would. Overall I like the idea behind the new Flippa pricing plan but that 15% success fee might represent too much of a risk to list a potentially high-value "startup" site on Flippa...
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    • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
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      Originally Posted by PalmTreeJack View Post

      By the way OLechat, the more I think about this new 15% success fee the more I realize just how big of a "gamble" it could be in some cases. I've had relatively young (less than 2 months old) sites sell for $2000 - $3000 in the past. It's not common but it does happen every once in awhile. So I could risk losing hundreds of dollars on a site that ends up selling for much more than I thought it would. Overall I like the idea behind the new Flippa pricing plan but that 15% success fee might represent too much of a risk to list a potentially high-value "startup" site on Flippa...
      From the comments on the Flippa Blog:

      For site has to sell for $200 or less, or your overall costs are higher due to that 15% success fee.

      On a $100 sale:
      $29 listing, $5 success fee = $34
      $9 listing, $15 success fee = $24

      On a $200 sale:
      $29 listing, $10 success fee = $39
      $9 listing, $30 success fee = $39

      On a $400 sale:
      $29 listing, $20 success fee = $49
      $9 listing, $60 success fee = $69

      On a $600 sale:
      $29 listing, $30 success fee = $59
      $9 listing, $90 success fee = $99
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  • Profile picture of the author xInd
    Originally Posted by Brian Owens View Post

    sbucciarel is definitely someone to listen to when it comes to selling turnkey sites. She's been doing it successfully for probably as long as I've been online!

    I thought I'd chime in on the topic for a second too with an out of the box idea for you.

    If you're churning out pre-built sites with original content and designs and all you're looking to get for them is $50-100 per site...I think you should start a niche based service for people that want that type of thing rather than paying market places.

    Build a list of regular buyers.

    Offer them packages:

    1.) $50/month = 1 new site per month
    2.) $179/month = 4 new sites per month

    etc...

    Get a list of clients who become repeat customers. A lot of people have business models that grow by having multiple sites in the same niche...You could be the "weight loss website guy".

    Every affiliate and product owner looking to expand their market share could hire you to build them new sites with new content that feed back to their money site...

    - Upsell them on SEO and other traffic gen services
    - Upsell them on PLR products you get MRR rights to...

    Just a few ideas.

    But if it were me, I'd move away from the marketplace strategy. It's hard to scale because you run out of creativity and like it was already said...Marketplaces are expensive. If you build a few sites that don't sell, you're out money.

    I say get your money BEFORE YOU BUILD THEM. Scale it into a business of your own, and keep more of the money.

    Just my 2 cents. Hope that it helps =)

    This is similar to what I've been working on building up. Been seeking people to work with that have experience in this area to bring more value and do some cross promotion. Joint ventures are a great way to fill the holes in what you're doing. Like has been said, Flippa buyers are really after the revenue stats for quick and high ticket buyers. Why not work with somebody that can provide the traffic, the marketing, the products or monetization, or a group of people, and get what the site will be worth after a couple months with some proof of stats?
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  • Profile picture of the author Irmscher
    Use longtail niche keywords and publish around 15-30 unique blog posts

    These keywords have very little to no competition, you'll be able to rank them almost effortlessly.

    Why doing this? These keywords can fetch some good amount of targeted traffic to your website.
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    • Profile picture of the author PalmTreeJack
      Originally Posted by Irmscher View Post

      Use longtail niche keywords and publish around 15-30 unique blog posts

      These keywords have very little to no competition, you'll be able to rank them almost effortlessly.

      Why doing this? These keywords can fetch some good amount of targeted traffic to your website.
      This is actually pretty much what I do for my bigger authority sites. It's always easier to rank for a few obscure long-tail keywords and then target the more competitive/higher-traffic phrases. My small niche sites often rank "unintentionally" for some good long-tail phrases but I may make that more of a focus in order to raise their selling price!
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