How to Sell a WordPress Website
A growing percentage of commerce is taking place online, and the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the trend. If you operate a WordPress site, you can grow your site into a valuable business that generates monthly revenue. Hosting Tribunal explains the huge reach of WordPress:
WordPress powers 39.6% of the Internet in 2021, a growth of nearly 5% from 35% in 2020, and a 4% rise from the year before.
Over 400 million people visit WordPress sites each month.
Nearly 28% of all eCommerce goes through WooCommerce (a WordPress company)
Business owners use WordPress to create blog posts and other content, and WordPress sites drive traffic that is used to generate several types of revenue.
Business owners use WordPress to create blog posts and other content, and WordPress sites drive traffic that is used to generate several types of revenue.
If you’re wondering how to sell a WordPress website, have a conversation with an experienced business broker. A broker can help you assess the business, and find ways to increase business value before a sale.
Factors That Drive Website Value
Generally speaking, the most valuable WordPress websites consistently generate revenue, while adapting to the frequent changes that impact online success.
Multiple Sources of Income
If you generate revenue from several sources, the business will be less impacted by a change in a source of income. Websites can produce earnings in a number of ways:
Ad revenue: Sites generate revenue from ads placed using Google Ads and other tools (referred to as pay-per-click advertising). However, over 26% of online viewers use ad-blocker software.
Affiliate marketing: This strategy is similar to traditional advertising. The site provides content (blog posts, video, product reviews) to attract a target market, and drive viewers to ads for products and services. The site is paid for each person who clicks on the ad and visits the site, and for customers who make a purchase through the link.
eCommerce: A growing percentage of retail sales are completed using eCommerce. In this case, the site advertises and sells products and services directly to website visitors.
Sponsored posts: Sites can also sell the opportunity for others to post third-party blogs and other content on the site.
There are other income sources as well. If you have several sources of revenue, your business is more valuable to a potential buyer. Another important factor is the number of traffic sources that a website can produce.
There are other income sources as well. If you have several sources of revenue, your business is more valuable to a potential buyer. Another important factor is the number of traffic sources that a website can produce.
Website Traffic Sources
A website buyer values a site that can generate traffic from multiple sources:
Organic search: This traffic is generated when a viewer finds the site using a search engine, and 70% of links that search engine users click on are organic. Sites using this strategy work on increasing their ranking for specific keywords.
Direct traffic: When a user enters the website URL in a browser, direct traffic is generated.
Referrals (backlinks): If a user clicks on a link that refers the viewer to your site (a backlink), the visit is considered referral traffic. Backlinks are a factor in a site’s search engine optimization ranking, and increase the site’s credibility.
Paid search: Sites can pay for ads to drive users to the site, and many site owners use Google AdWords for this purpose.
Site owners can use social media and other strategies to drive traffic. Valuable sites can adapt when a Google algorithm update occurs.
Google is the most-used tool to search the web, and Google makes frequent updates to the algorithm that drives searches. Changes are made to reduce spam, and to direct viewers to links that are most useful. Successful sites analyze traffic and make changes to improve results as the algorithm is updated.
Managing your website is time consuming, and responding to the constant changes in website traffic and income is a challenge. Consider working with a broker, who can handle many of the tasks required to sell your business.
How a Broker Can Help
The experts at Raincatcher have helped thousands of business owners sell companies in dozens of industries. Work with a trusted experienced broker, who can address a number of issues related to the sale:
Marketing content: A broker can identify the company’s value proposition, and create marketing content to promote your business to potential investors.
Finding qualified buyers: Brokers maintain an active network of accountants, attorneys, and investors, and they can leverage a network to find qualified buyers.
Due diligence: Once you find a qualified buyer, you’ll have the buyer sign a non-disclosure agreement to protect your interests, and then provide documents for due diligence. A broker can help you identify the required records, and keep the process moving forward.
Your broker can have a business valuation performed, and use that data to negotiate a sale price on your behalf.
There are a number of peer-to-peer marketplaces that website sellers use to find buyers. However, a broker will provide far more personal attention, and add value that will increase the price you receive for the business.
You’ve worked hard to build your business, and you deserve the help of an expert when it’s time to sell. Work with the brokers at Raincatcher to help you get the best deal possible for your WordPress website. Start with a free Raincatcher business evaluation today.
