8 replies
I've been hearing/reading all about this site flipping thing. Not really my typical kind of thing, but figure it's something to add into the arsenal and I can show some other folks how easy it is/isn't.

So I started my first one early this morning. I think the site concept is pretty marketable so I'm shooting for $500. I decided to use WordPress instead of Weebly so I can get the exact theme I want, and it will be easy to export the whole thing and zip as a file to give to the buyer.

I spent a few hours looking over some recommended models and some of the comments in a few forum. Guess it's time to actually do it now...

I'm creating Camtasia videos documenting the whole journey so I can laugh at myself later.

Wish me luck {fingers crossed}...

#blog flipping #flippin #quick cash #trippin #website flipping
  • OK - Found two good domain names and bought them, installed WordPress, found a free WordPress theme that amazingly was just what I was looking for and loaded the theme into WordPress.

    Spent about two or three hours looking for some good content to add to the site, contacting owners of websites where I found content to request permission to reprint and added content to the WP blog.

    Then disaster struck.

    Somehow I overwrote all my pages after being about 80% done. And I forgot to export the XML file so I lost everything and had to start from scratch.

    So after unistalling and reinstalling WordPress I started again.

    Then disaster struck again.

    Did the exact same thing. Apparently WordPress won't do what I want it to do (which would have been nice). So after uninstalling and reinstalling WordPress again, I'll have to figure out a work around.

    So after a day of work I'm back to square one. But I have all the content backed up this time, so loading the content back up won't be a problem.

    Finding a workaround is going to be my challenge...

    My takeaways from the day:
    • This was more challenging that I thought (probably because I'm using WP instead of Weebly, but the end result will justify the learning curve...)
    • Learn from your mistakes and don't repeat them.
    • I learned about Amazon's affiliate program which I like. I got lost for a few hours looking around in the site and creating widgets to add to the blog. This was a BIG plus because I can see how to use it in other areas...
    • I've developing a system that will be easy to duplicate once it's done. I think when it's finished I'll be able to create a good site (I'll let you guys be the judge of that!) in about 3-4 hours. So I can potentially flip one of these a day from now on.
    • I'm learning a new skill that I can teach others.
    • Backup your files early and often.
    • People should sleep.

    Until the next post...

    CID
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[518800].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author RobinInTexas
      Originally Posted by crazyinternetdude View Post

      .

      Then disaster struck again.

      Did the exact same thing. Apparently WordPress won't do what I want it to do (which would have been nice). So after uninstalling and reinstalling WordPress again, I'll have to figure out a work around.

      So after a day of work I'm back to square one. But I have all the content backed up this time, so loading the content back up won't be a problem.

      Finding a workaround is going to be my challenge...


      CID
      Hi CID

      Satisfy my curiosity.. what were you trying to do that WP didn't like?
      Signature

      Robin



      ...Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just set there.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[523348].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Sam Rodrigo
    CID,

    My experience is that it's far easier to develop sites for sale for the local business community mainly for lead generation.

    Lastly, the real problem you'll run into is the sustainability of your business model -- day in day out, it's not a solution to helping make money online.

    You need to follow a sustainable method that can lead to *years and years* of income.

    IMHO,
    Sam
    Signature
    RICH SAGE BLOG

    LOCAL AFFILIATE GOLD MINE:
    >> CLICK: BiiG NETWORK LAUNCH WSO
    <<
    SIGN UP FREE. LIMITED NICHES/LOCATIONS!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[518837].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author ArthurRose
    Banned
    [DELETED]
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[519068].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Biggy Fat
      Originally Posted by ArthurRose View Post

      Yep, the biggest achievement in internet money making is making something work for you on autopilot. Site flipping is not quite that.
      And in my experience, neither is anything else. I just don't believe in automated income.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[523515].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Marhelper
      Originally Posted by ArthurRose View Post

      Yep, the biggest achievement in internet money making is making something work for you on autopilot. Site flipping is not quite that.
      It all depends on how you set it up.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[524828].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Sandi Valentine
    Will you be building traffic to the sites, or flipping new sites with no traffic or earnings?
    Signature
    http://sandililly.contently.com
    High Quality Content for .03/word. Order by PM.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[523579].message }}
    • Thanks for the comments. I should have been a little clearer - this isn't something I plan on doing day in and day out - my other stuff makes much more with far less work.

      This was something I'm doing more or less as a test and also offer as something to my students for those who have expressed interest. I want to find a way to automate the process and show them the easiest/fastest way to do it.

      The site was built during the course as an example - how to do keyword research, how to install WordPress, change the theme, create Web 2.0 properties, etc...

      In response to a few folks:

      Sandi Valentine - created some Web 2.0 properties as feeder sites that are already up. Tracking the stats and will include in the ad.

      Biggy Fat - not sure why you don't believe in automated income but it's very possible and the best kind of income. Sounds like you might have had some bad experiences?

      Robin in Texas - I was trying to create dynamic pages in WordPress that would allow post to go directly to pages instead of the main index.php file. Not possible, but I did eventually find a work around.

      ArthurRose - Amen to that brother! One thing I'm going at doing is creating systems to automate the crap out of processes. Since this is the first time I've had to re-design a site specifically to flip it, the learning curve took a lot of time, but I've aready started developing a way to cut the whole process to a few hours.

      Some folks don't want to make thousands of dollars a month online - they're just looking for a simple way to make a few extra bucks, and I think this model should help.

      Sam Rodrigo - I'm not into really creating web sites at all - too much hassle for not a lot of money. I do stuff w/ local businesses that makes a ton more with a lot less work. I refer web site design to a friend.

      Thanks again and more updates coming soon...


      CID
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[524795].message }}
  • Just a quick update...

    It's been over a year since I really did anything with the site flipping project. Found it took a WHOLE lot more work than I believed it to be worth at the time. I guess after you do the keyword research the fastest way to automate the process as much as possible is to find someone on Scriptlance or some other site to create the site for you for a few bucks and then flip it...

    My other methods make much better income and require less work, so I switched back to devoting my time to those methods. The project was fun, but I'm not sure I'll EVER do that again!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2656260].message }}

Trending Topics