Would $45,000. Motivate You To Sell A 1-Year Old Website?
Well, well!
I woke up this morning with my knickers in a twist and I REALLY need your help.
What would you do if you were in this situation?
Website Valuation Just For Interest
You may be aware that I have been building out my online business a little differently. Affiliate Marketing is my medium to long term strategy.
The short term strategy is my consulting, advisory and business (online and offline) management services. This is progressing exceptionally well.
April marks the start of my big push with Affiliate Marketing and really increase my traffic and earnings. All 3 of my websites are earning affiliate income, by the way.
Last week, in one of my brain burst moments, I thought about selling one of my domains and websites. Jeff had some great blog posts about this some time ago.
Flippa gave me a free rough valuation.
With such a motivating valuation, I decided to put it up for offers. They required a lot of information but I followed through.
My First Offer This Morning
2 days after putting it up on Flippa, I received interest from 4 persons. I have been in communication with 2 of them.
1 seemed rather serious. We exchanged some emails and I shared some more information. We held a Zoom meeting on Tuesday.
This morning, I awoke to find this email in my inbox.
I have shared the email as I have received it, except with the proposed buyer's details.
Shocked Is Putting It Mildly!
To say that I am shocked is putting it VERY mildly!!!
$45,000.00 !!!
This started out as just a "let me see" kind of thing and I am now at this juncture.
I am so overwhelmed this morning that I cannot yet settle my mind to respond professionally to the email.
AND, a 1-year contract to continue to manage it as my own!!
This definitely requires some deep thinking before I make a decision.
Tell me. What are your thoughts?
Cassi
Recent Comments
147
Hi Cassi,
It sounds like a good offer but you have to consider several factors when it comes to this offer. I Know that you are a very shrewd business woman, so at end of it all you will look at all the facts and your will make the right choice for you and your family.
Continue the great work! Much success to you!
Kind regards,
Nichola
Nichola, you are very right.
There are many factors to consider and it is not that simple.
I have put t he pros and cons down on paper and I have made, what I think is, the best decision.
Thank you for your support.
Cassi
You are welcome. Indeed, it is not simple. I know you will make the best decision after all considerations. May the force be with you! Have a great week ahead!
Woweeeeeeeeee!
I'm telling you all ... get to know this woman before she becomes a billionairess! So happy for you Cassi. Your clear-headedness, and your kindness is beginning to show results.
I have used Flippa twice in the past, and I have seen that they overvalue your site, just to get you to buy into their platform.
But of course, you have a genuine 45k offer too. I would say, wait and see what valuation the site gets in another 6 months. If value has been seen in your site today, that will only increase with more time and more efforts by you.
Whatever the decision, do remember to blow up a sizeable part of the proceeds on a fancy vacation (with apologies to Partha, of course). You live only once, but if you live it well, once is enough.
Love,
Aparna
Aparna, everything that you have said is applicable.
Flippa does overvalue, by a lot.
That is why the $45K offer came as a surprise.
Partha has helped me very much in thinking this through and I have weighed up all the pros and cons.
It was an exercise and experience that I have enjoyed.
Thank you for your support.
Cassi
It would be good to hear what happens next. As I see this is a "starting offer". Are they going to offer more?
Something is strange in the language the person uses, "to compensate you for the hard work".
I had something similar, an offer of $180000 for a site, the maximum estimated value at Flippa, but it turned out the person was willing to pay with bitcoin. Be careful.
Thank you for this, Jovo.
We have spoken and the payment, if accepted, will not be in bitcoin.
Cassi
I think it is a lot of money and would be a good decision if you didn't have to work for them for another year on the site, unless they were continuing to pay you for the work and maintenance you provide. Which site are you selling? Any of the ones listed on your WA profile page.
Yes, Benjamin, it is one of my listed websites.
It is a fair amount of money but nothing that I would drop everything to run after.
What it does do is seriously wake me up to the possibilities of what is out there and what can be achieved with hard work.
Decision time, so let's see what happens.
Cassi
Good morning Cassi,
I hope you're doing well, it sounds like things are really good which is fantastic. Well done and congratulations on working so hard and making this potential achievement.
Just a few thoughts from me.
I have had a few off-line businesses which I have sold and I have never regretted the decision whatsoever. In fact, I'm thinking of selling my present off-line business so that I can dedicate myself to the Internet full-time. I also know that if I wanted to I could find work in a similar field to my niche, regarding working off-line. (Just in case I needed some extra money.)
When you mentioned selling one of your websites, my thoughts immediately went to Grace.
https://my.wealthyaffiliate.com/littlemama
In the early days, Grace almost sold her website, however, she kept it and ended up going to Las Vegas. I believe she was very happy she did. So, thinking quickly and I don't fully know your situation, although it may be tempting to take the $45,000, long-term you may be selling something good and something that you need to keep.
I was trying to find Grace's article from a few years back, but I can't see it. It may be worth you reading this on her blog posts to see the type of success that she has had. In this way, it will help you to come to the right decision.
However, maybe you can rinse and repeat the process and quickly build a similar site up to that level and maybe keep the website.
Just a few thoughts from me!
It's absolutely brilliant that you have come this far Cassi, so good!
Now for a light-hearted comment; I always say to people who get their knickers in a twist, not to, as you only have to un-twist them!
Have a great day, I am really pleased for you.
Roy
Knickers are untwisted this morning, Roy. 😂
You have made some very good points here and I am now in the process of putting them all together and making a decision.
Thank you for always supporting and guiding me.
Cassi
Good morning Cassi,
That's good to hear!!!
I think it's always good to hear other people's opinion and thoughts on something major like selling a website, Cassi. Although you have to make the final decision, other people can sometimes put thoughts and ideas that we don't always think about.
Just one more point, there are people (and I am sure you know this) that actually sell websites for a living. Maybe this could be your niche?
All I can say is, please be careful and I sincerely hope that you come to the right decision.
Have a great Sunday.
Roy
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Hey Cassi,
Here's how I view it.
Website valuations have certainly changed over the years.
I remember a time that you could typically expect 8-12 times your monthly income when selling a website.
Nowadays, I see figures banded about such as 25-35 times your monthly income.
However, as you can clearly see a website is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it.
Additionally, one person's valuation may far outweigh another's.
There's 3 things I would consider:
Firstly, don't been drawn in by the amount.
Do you actually require $45,000 for something WITHIN THE NEXT 12 MONTHS?
Could you use this towards increasing your businesses at a faster rate?
Do you need or want something in your life right now, and this money will help you to get this?
Perhaps your daughter's education.
Unfortunately, it's not likely that you could blow it to go on a dream holiday in the next few months with the current pandemic situation, although I don't see you as that type of person anyway, LOL (This is what I would - PARTY TIME).
Secondly, the growth of a website from year 1 to year 2 can be astronomical.
If you put the hard work in, you could literally see your income double, treble, or even grow to 10x as much.
This is what worries me slightly about the offer you have received.
You are being offered a "one-year contract" to manage the website and grow content FOR THE BUYER.
What does this mean?
Do you get to keep the affiliate commissions or do they?
Are they offering you a set income for the next year?
If the website's income is 3-4 times as much in a year's time, does this mean that the website will be potentially worth $200k PLUS?
So, does this mean the buyer's a getting a great deal now, only to sell the website in a year for a 400-500% profit without ever actaully doing any work themselves?
Finally, is the website one that you like, love, and enjoy?
If you hadn't received the offer, would you continue to work on the website, or would you have thought about selling it at some point this year anyway?
Obviously, I'm not saying not to sell it.
You could find that if you don't sell it, work hard on it for another year, reconsider selling it, that no-one is interested, or you only get offered a fraction of the price you've been offered today (probably unlikely if you continue working on it, but this could happen).
Then again, this could turn into your biggest-earning website, and be worth 10 times the valutaion that has been placed on it today.
I've just read back, I probably haven't helped much and just confused you more, Hahaha.
For me, it would always be a case of DO I NEED THIS MONEY IN THE NEXT 12 MONTHS?
Plus, is this a business that I enjoy working on?
Lots to consider.
Sorry for being no help whatsoever, LOL.
Partha
Partha, this started out as just me toying with some ideas.
I have a WA MMO site and an affiliate marketing MMO site and I thought about merging the 2 and focusing the 3rd website in another direction.
My 'Cassi Of Troy' brand and website are shooting off like crazy and I want to put more of my efforts there over the next 3-6 months.
Launch my YT channel and podcast and REALLY push my brand hard.
Selling is not what I WANT to do and in my mind, no one can pay me for all the time, hard work and sacrifice that went into this website.
It is my "baby".
In my opinion, the offer seems to be on the lower end of what I consider to be "healthy".
Business is about risk and right now I am thinking:
"If this is what an offer is like NOW, it will be off the roof by next year!"
How does that sound?
Cassi
Thank you for your guidance, Lula.
Much appreciated.
Cassi
Okay Cassi,
Here we go, totally honesty, cards on the table.
You'll probably have to go through another 3 or 4 grande cappuccinos to digest all this, LOL (actually a bottle of wine or two).
I've always viewed you as a very focused, hard-working individual.
However, more than that, as someone who has their lifeplan and business goals perfectly laid out.
(Don't worry, I'm not naive about life. I understand that no matter how "together" any of us appear, we still have own little, personal struggles every single day).
So, a few months back, you said something that quite surprised me, I was actually a little taken aback, and you have alluded to it again today.
You mentioned back then (and again today) that you had 3 websites running.
You gave the timescales that these had running, etc.
I immediately took a step back, inhaled a deep breath, and said to myself, "What are doing Cassi?"
I know if anyone can pull this off it's you.
You have the correct work ethic, and almost bloody-mindedness to achieve whatever you want in life.
But still, that's a huge workload if you're doing it all alone.
Don't get me wrong, I have run multiple businesses at the same time, but I typically outsourced the vast majority of the work.
However, me being me, I still found that "checking" on outsourced work and duties took a large chunk out of my day.
In fact, it was a full-time job in itself.
I will never be a "set-and-forget" person.
I'm a worrier, always have been, always will be (you'd never believe it - the exterior is cool, calm, collected. Inside it's absolute mayhem, LOL).
So, firstly you saying that you're thinking of merging/amalgamating two of the websites has me breathing easy again, letting off party poppers, etc. WooHoo!!
I actually always thought the "Cassi of Troy" brand was going to be your main baby.
I look at people like Neil Patel, Brian Dean, Pat Flynn, Ryan Moran (who was my original referrer to WA 12 years ago btw) and see it took them a good 5-6 years of constant hard work before their brands started to become instantly recognisable.
I see you in the same way,
In fact, you are probably further ahead of these guys at the same stage.
So, Kudos to you for that.
You've said yourself that you're going to have a huge push over the next 3 months on YouTube, Podcasts, etc. (I work in 3-month timeframes too btw) and this will undoubtedly take a huge chunk of your time and energy,
Therefore, trying to maintain multiple sites (if you're looking to do ALL the work yourself) is additional mental, physical, and emotional stress.
There are only so many hours in the day, and irrespective of how important business is, there are more important things in life.
Always keep that in mind.
But you know that anyway, you don't need me to tell you.
I love that today's offer has "opened your eyes".
You're definitely going to be one of "those people" that we all look at in a few years time and talk about in the same breath as some of the people I've already mentioned (don't you dare forget me when you're rich and famous, LOL).
For me, I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY don't want to sway in one way or the other whatsoever.
However, I note from other comments you made on this post that YOU LOVE THIS SITE.
Passion is a HUGE part of being successful in any walk of life, online or offline - I'll leave at that.
Carry on with your current work ethic.
Carry on with your current drive and focus.
Carry on with your current sheer bloody mindedness.
But at the same time, live life, enjoy what's happening around you, enjoy the people you love.
Cos in about 10 years time "Cassi of Troy", $45,000 will be about an hour's work for you.
Partha
Aawww Lula,
You're so sweet.
You're my HERO.
I wish you a terrific day and a fantastic weekend.
Plus, Nathaniel is a LEGEND.
Partha
You're right, Lula. Partha ROCKS! He gave Cassi some great advice and food for thought. Now it's her heart that has to weigh in.
~Debbi
Wow - great reply. Well thought out and good points.
I agree to manage the site for a year - would only enhance their value - not Cassi's
Alex
Partha, my Prince, you have just been appointed as a Trusted Royal Adviser to the Princess, Cassi Of Troy. 🤗
After 2 cappuccinos, I had a latte, took my daughter out to dinner (no wine - pandemic and Lenten season), got home, had some breathtaking tea and settle down to take all this in.
I awoke this morning VERY clear on my decision and where I am heading.
As my Trusted Advisor, you will be my featured contributor in my part 2 blog post this morning.
Cassi
I agree with that, Alex.
Partha has made some excellent contributions, as always and has been promoted in my Royal House as a result, Debbi.
Cassi
Nathaniell IS a Legend and I am SO VERY PROUD that he is my WA Mentor. 😃😄😊
Too true Partha
Absolutely!!
Cassi
you may missed my comment in live chat this morning- How much will your website be worth when your daughter is 18? And then 21?
Too Kind Debbi.
The thing is we are ALL dying to read Part Two of this saga,LOL.
Let's see what our Lady of the Islands decides.
Partha
Oh, you're too kind Alex.
I think in our hearts-of-hearts, we would all feel a little excited.
But, I always think it's best to take a step back and analyze everything throughly.
Partha
Absolutely Spot On Catherine.
Partha
Oh stop it Brenda, LOL.
I just think it's good to take a step back and thoroughly analyze everything before coming to a decision.
And sometimes that's just easier to do if someone else does the thinking for you, Haha.
Partha
Good Good...
You know we're all dying to read Part Two.
So, please don't keep your audience waiting too long, Lady of the Islands.
PofA
In this case it's exactly what I did and you took up the mantle perfectly!
Analysis over a couple of coffees and a sleep is definitely the way to go. Cassi is on top of it. I cannot wait to see if she includes us when she makes her decision.
Alex
I caught your comments, Catherine and have considered them in my decision-making process.
Thank you.
Cassi
You know I will, Alex.
Thank you so very much, Michael.
Thank you. I look forward to hearing all about it.
🙂