Launchory

How to sell a website: a step-by-step guide

To sell a website, work out its value from its profit, prepare proof of traffic and revenue, list it where buyers look, vet them, and use escrow for the transfer. Here is each step, with the mistakes that cost sellers money.

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List your website free on Launchory Marketplace. Buyers contact you directly, with no commission.

Sell your website

1. Work out what your website is worth

Add up your profit over the last 12 months, then apply a multiple. Small sites commonly sell around 2 to 4 times annual profit. Recurring subscription revenue, growth and diverse traffic push that up. Falling income, one traffic source or heavy reliance on you personally push it down.

2. Prepare your proof

Buyers trust evidence. Gather analytics access, 12 months of revenue statements such as Stripe or AdSense reports, your expense list and traffic sources. If you earn from ads, our AdSense revenue calculator helps you sanity-check your numbers.

3. Make the site easy to take over

Document how it runs: hosting, renewals, content process and the time it takes each week. List exactly what is included, such as the domain, code, content, social accounts and email list. A business a new owner can run quickly is worth more.

4. List it where buyers look

Write an honest listing with the asking price, monthly earnings, monetization model and traffic. List on one or more marketplaces, and contact people who might want it directly, such as competitors or related sites.

5. Vet buyers and share carefully

Ask serious buyers about their experience and plans. Share sensitive details, such as the exact URL or revenue screenshots, in stages, and use an NDA for anything confidential.

6. Agree the deal in writing

Put the price, what is included, any handover support and any non-compete in a simple asset purchase agreement. For larger sales, have a lawyer check it.

7. Use escrow and transfer safely

Use a reputable escrow service: the buyer pays into escrow, you transfer the assets, they confirm, and the money is released to you. Move the domain, hosting, code and accounts, then stay available for any agreed handover period.

A quick valuation example

A content site earning $80 a month from subscriptions and AdSense makes $960 a year. At 2 to 4 times annual earnings, that suggests roughly $1,900 to $3,800. Where it lands depends on trend, traffic sources and how much work it takes. Browse websites for sale to see how other sellers price theirs. Earnings shown there are stated by sellers and not verified by us, so buyers will expect the proof from step 2.

Mistakes that cost sellers money

  • Selling right after a traffic drop. If you can, stabilise first, because buyers price in the latest trend.
  • Vague numbers. A listing without proof attracts low offers.
  • Skipping escrow. This is how sellers lose both the site and the money.
  • Hiding dependencies. Undisclosed reliance on one client, one keyword or you personally will surface in due diligence and cost you trust.

Frequently asked questions

How much is my website worth?

Small websites commonly sell for around 2 to 4 times annual profit, sometimes higher for subscription revenue and steady growth, and lower when income is falling or depends on one traffic source. For example, a site earning $80 a month makes $960 a year, which points to roughly $1,900 to $3,800. Treat these as rough ranges; the real price is what a buyer will pay.

Where can I sell my website?

Options include marketplaces such as Flippa, Acquire.com for SaaS and Empire Flippers for larger vetted businesses, brokers for bigger deals, and direct outreach to competitors. Launchory Marketplace lets you list for free and buyers contact you directly, with no commission.

Can I sell a website with no traffic or revenue?

Yes, but expect a much lower price. Buyers are then paying for the domain, design, code or idea rather than an income stream. Be upfront, and consider building some traffic first if you have the time, because even a small verifiable income changes how buyers see it.

How do I avoid being scammed when selling a website?

Use a reputable escrow service so the buyer funds the deal before you transfer anything, and never hand over the domain or logins before funds are secured. Be wary of buyers who push you to skip escrow, overpay, or communicate only through unusual channels.

How long does it take to sell a website?

It often takes from a few weeks to a few months, depending on price, quality and how complete your documentation is. Good records shorten due diligence, while the transfer itself is usually done within days once escrow is funded.

Do I pay tax when I sell a website?

Usually, yes. A sale is generally taxable, but the treatment depends on your country and on how the sale is structured. Speak with an accountant before you agree a deal.

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