Ultimate Guide to Selling Your Blog

Selling a blog can be a great way to monetize your hard work and dedication, but it can also be a daunting task. Here are some steps you can take to sell your blog for a pretty penny.

Determine your blog’s value

Before you can sell your blog, you need to determine its value. Consider the traffic your blog generates, its niche, the number of posts you’ve written, your social media following, and any revenue you’ve generated. Those are blog factors. Then you look for recently sold blogs and get an idea of what they’re selling for. Combine this information to get a starting point.

We’ll look at each and provide sources below:

Traffic: The amount of traffic your blog receives is one of the most important factors to consider when determining its value. More traffic generally means a higher value, as it indicates a larger audience for potential buyers.

Niche: The niche your blog operates in can also play a significant role in its value. Blogs in popular niches such as health, finance, and lifestyle tend to be more valuable than those in less popular niches.

Content quality: The quality of your blog’s content is another important factor to consider. Blogs with high-quality, engaging content that is popular in search engines are more valuable than those with low-quality content.

Social Media following: The size and engagement of your social media following can also impact the value of your blog. If you have a large, engaged social media following, your blog may be more valuable to potential buyers. Whether or not you include your social accounts, in the sale of your blog is determined during the negotiation stage.

Revenue: The revenue your blog generates obviously plays an important role. If you have monetized your blog through advertising, sponsored posts, or other methods, this can add value to your blog.

Once you have considered these factors, you can research similar blogs in your niche that have sold recently and use that information to help you determine a fair price for your blog.

Here are some resources for finding recently sold blogs:

1. Flippa.com: Flippa is a website that specializes in buying and selling websites and online businesses. They have a dedicated section for blogs, and you can browse through a list of recently sold blogs to get an idea of their value.
2. Empireflippers.com: Empire Flippers is another website that specializes in buying and selling online businesses. They have a dedicated section for content and blog businesses, and you can browse through recently sold blogs to get an idea of their value.
3. DigitalExits.com: Digital Exits is a website broker that specializes in selling established online businesses, including blogs. They have a section for sold businesses on their website where you can browse through recently sold blogs.
4. FE International: FE International is a website broker that specializes in selling online businesses, including blogs. They have a section for sold businesses on their website where you can browse through recently sold blogs.
5. Business broker directories: You can also search for business brokers in your area or online who specialize in selling blogs or online businesses. They may be able to provide you with information on recently sold blogs and help you determine a fair price for your blog.

A note about using a brokerage.

All of the companies mentioned above provide brokerage services for buying and selling online businesses. These companies typically have a team of experienced brokers who can guide you through the sales process and help you negotiate a fair price for your blog.

When you work with a brokerage company, they will typically handle the administrative and coordination tasks of the sale on your behalf. This can include things like preparing your blog for sale, listing it on their website, marketing it to potential buyers, negotiating the sale price, drafting the contract, and facilitating the transfer of ownership.

Working with a broker can be a good option if you are not very tech-savvy or if you don’t have the time or resources to handle the sales process yourself. Just be aware that brokerage services typically come with a fee or commission, which can vary depending on the company and the value of your blog.

Find potential buyers

There are several ways to find potential buyers for your blog. You can reach out to fellow bloggers in your niche, post a listing on a website like Flippa or Empire Flippers, or use social media to find potential buyers.

Here are some places you can start your search – and a template for those awkward emails.

Find Buyers on Social media

You can use social media platforms like Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook to promote your blog and reach out to potential buyers. Use hashtags and keywords related to your blog’s niche to help people find your content.

Marketplaces

Marketplaces above, where you find recently sold blogs – to find other owners who may be interested in purchasing.

Local business groups

Depending on your blog’s niche, there may be local business groups or associations that you can join to network with potential buyers in your area.

Online classifieds

You can also list your blog for sale on online classifieds websites like Craigslist, although these may not be as effective as other methods.

Find Buyers on Online forums

There are many online forums and communities related to different niches, where you can connect with potential buyers. Join relevant forums and participate in discussions to build relationships with potential buyers.

Finding potential buyers for Food Blogs:

• Food Blogger Pro: Food Blogger Pro is a community and forum for food bloggers that offers resources and support for building and growing your blog. The community includes both bloggers and industry professionals who may be interested in purchasing your blog.
• Food Bloggers Central: Food Bloggers Central is a community and forum for food bloggers to connect, share resources, and collaborate on projects. It includes a marketplace section where members can buy and sell websites and blogs.
• Food Bloggers of Canada: Food Bloggers of Canada is a community and network for Canadian food bloggers. While it doesn’t have a specific marketplace section, you may be able to connect with potential buyers through the community forums and networking opportunities.
• Reddit Food Blogging: Reddit has a community for food bloggers where you can connect with other bloggers and potentially find buyers. The subreddit has a section for buying and selling websites and blogs.
• Online Marketplaces: You can also try listing your food blog for sale on online marketplaces like Flippa, Empire Flippers, Digital Exits, and FE International. These marketplaces specialize in buying and selling online businesses and may have interested buyers in the food blogging niche.

Finding Potential Buyers for DIY / Crafting

• Online marketplaces: You can list your DIY/crafting blog for sale on online marketplaces like Flippa, Empire Flippers, Digital Exits, and FE International. These marketplaces specialize in buying and selling online businesses and may have interested buyers in the DIY/crafting niche.
• Etsy: Etsy is a popular marketplace for handmade and vintage items, as well as crafting supplies. Some Etsy sellers may be interested in purchasing a DIY/crafting blog as a way to grow their own business.
• Crafting and DIY communities: There are many online communities and forums related to crafting and DIY, such as Craftster, Ravelry, and Instructables. Participating in these communities can help you connect with potential buyers who are passionate about the niche.
• Craft and hobby businesses: There are many businesses that sell crafting supplies, kits, and tools, as well as those that offer crafting classes and workshops. These businesses may be interested in purchasing a DIY/crafting blog as a way to promote their products or services and reach a wider audience.
• Local crafting groups: These groups may include small business owners, hobbyists, and craft enthusiasts who could be interested in purchasing a DIY/crafting blog. Here are a few ways to find Local Crafting Groups:
  • Check with local craft stores: Many craft stores, such as Michaels and Jo-Ann Fabrics, offer classes and workshops for various crafting activities. You can check with these stores to see if they have any affiliated groups or clubs that meet regularly.
  • Meetup.com: Meetup.com is a website that helps you find and join groups based on your interests and location. You can search for crafting groups in your area on Meetup and join any that interest you.
  • Community centers: Local community centers and recreational facilities often host crafting classes and groups for residents. You can check with your local government’s website or community center to see what programs and activities are available.
  • Libraries: Many libraries offer crafting programs and workshops for children and adults. Check with your local library to see if they have any groups or events related to crafting.
  • Social media: You can search for crafting groups on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Many groups have public pages or profiles that you can follow or join to connect with other crafters in your area.

Finding buyers for Fashion Blogs

Here are the resources for finding fashion blogs that we could come up with. Check these places for further/related groups as well. The key is to find people in a similar niche that will benefit from the purchase of your content and/or website.

• Fashion Bloggers and Brands Facebook Group: This Facebook group is specifically designed for fashion bloggers, brands, and PR professionals to connect and collaborate. You can join this group to network with other professionals in the fashion industry and potentially find buyers for your fashion blog.
• Independent Fashion Bloggers Forum: The Independent Fashion Bloggers Forum is a community of fashion bloggers and influencers who share tips, resources, and advice for growing their blogs. You can participate in the forum and connect with other bloggers who may be interested in purchasing your blog.
• Fashion-Incubator Forum: The Fashion-Incubator Forum is a forum for fashion industry professionals, including designers, manufacturers, and bloggers. You can join the forum to connect with potential buyers for your fashion blog and learn more about the fashion industry.
• Reddit /r/FashionBlogging: Reddit is a community-driven forum where you can connect with other fashion bloggers and potentially find buyers for your blog. The /r/FashionBlogging subreddit is specifically designed for fashion bloggers to discuss their blogs, share tips, and connect with other bloggers in the industry.

Direct Outreach to find Potential Buyers

One of the best ways to find a real buyer is to reach out directly. Look for websites that are similar to yours and reach out to the owners via email or social media. The following is a template for an outreach email. Use this when you identify someone who might be interested in purchasing your blog.

Prepare your blog for sale

Once you’ve found a potential buyer, you need to prepare your blog for sale. This includes gathering all relevant data and statistics about your blog, such as traffic and revenue. You should also have a list of all the assets you’ll be including in the sale, such as your domain name and any social media accounts associated with the blog.

These are the stats that you will want to have on hand:

1. Traffic statistics: Gather data on your blog’s traffic, including the number of unique visitors, pageviews, and bounce rate. You can use tools like Google Analytics to track this data over time.
2. Audience demographics: Gather data on your blog’s audience demographics, including their age, gender, location, and interests. This can help potential buyers understand who your blog is reaching and how they can target that audience.
3. Social media metrics: Gather data on your blog’s social media following, including the number of followers on each platform, engagement rates, and growth over time. You can use tools like Hootsuite or Buffer to track this data.
4. Revenue and monetization: Gather data on your blog’s revenue and monetization, including advertising revenue, affiliate sales, sponsored posts, and other sources of income. This can help potential buyers understand the revenue potential of your blog.
5. Content performance: Gather data on your blog’s content performance, including the most popular posts, the average time spent on each page, and the click-through rates on affiliate links and other calls to action. This can help potential buyers understand what type of content resonates with your audience and how they can continue to produce engaging content.

When selling your blog, the assets included in the sale can be negotiated between the buyer and yourself. Here are some assets that are typically included in a blog sale:

1. Domain name: The domain name is the web address of the blog, and it is a key asset in the sale. It is important to transfer the domain name to the buyer and ensure that ownership is properly transferred.
2. Website files: The content in WordPress is split between a database and the files on your host server. You’ll need a copy of the database, and the files to transfer to the new owner. They will need both backups to re-create the site on their server.
3. Social media accounts: If the blog has associated social media accounts, such as Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, these accounts can also be included in the sale. This can be an important asset for buyers who want to continue to promote the blog and engage with its audience.
4. Mailing list and email accounts: If the blog has a mailing list or email accounts associated with it, these assets can also be included in the sale. This can be an important asset for buyers who want to continue to communicate with the blog’s audience.
5. Monetization assets: If the blog generates revenue through advertising, affiliate marketing, or other sources, these monetization assets can be included in the sale. This can include ad accounts, affiliate marketing relationships, and any other revenue-generating assets associated with the blog.
6. Branding assets: The blog’s branding assets, such as logos, color schemes, and other design elements, can also be included in the sale. These assets can help the buyer maintain the continuity of the blog’s branding and maintain consistency with the existing audience.

The assets included in the sale will depend on the specific agreement between yourself and the buyer. It is important to be sure each of the above is clearly stated in your contract.

Negotiate the sale

Negotiating the sale of your blog can be tricky. Be prepared to answer any questions potential buyers may have about your blog, and be open to negotiating the price. Once you’ve reached an agreement, be sure to draft a contract outlining the terms of the sale.

Terms that should be included in your purchase agreement. NOTE: we are not lawyers, use at your own discretion

1. Introduction and Parties: The contract should begin by identifying the parties involved, including yourself and the buyer, and providing a brief overview of the purpose of the agreement.
2. Purchase Price: The contract should specify the purchase price of the blog and outline any payment terms, including any deposit or escrow requirements, as well as any installment payments.
3. Assets: The contract should identify all assets being transferred to the buyer, including the domain name, website files, social media accounts, mailing lists, and any monetization assets. The contract should also state that you are the rightful owner of all assets being transferred and that the assets are free and clear of any liens.
4. Warranties and Representations: The contract should include warranties and representations, such as a representation that the blog is not infringing on any third-party rights, that there are no pending legal claims against the blog, and that you have not made any false or misleading statements about the blog.
5. Obligations of the Parties: The contract should outline the obligations of both yourself and the buyer, including the transfer of assets, any transitional support or training to be provided, and any post-sale obligations, such as your obligation to refrain from starting a competing blog (common obligation).
6. Confidentiality: The contract should include provisions requiring yourself and buyer to maintain the confidentiality of any sensitive information related to the blog, such as the identities of customers or suppliers.
7. Governing Law: The contract should specify the governing law that will apply to the agreement, as well as any jurisdiction or venue requirements for any disputes arising under the agreement.

You can also try using the following resources to come up with your own purchase agreement. But for any deal that you can’t afford to lose, we recommend getting legal assistance with this part.

LegalZoom: LegalZoom offers a variety of legal document templates, including purchase agreements and bill of sale templates that can be customized to fit your specific needs. They also offer access to legal professionals who can provide additional guidance and support.

Contract Templates: This website offers a variety of free and customizable contract templates, including purchase agreements, that can be downloaded and modified to fit your specific needs.

Documatica Legal Forms: Documatica offers a variety of legal forms, including purchase agreements and bill of sale templates, that can be customized to fit your specific needs.

Rocket Lawyer: Rocket Lawyer offers a variety of customizable legal document templates, including purchase agreements and bill of sale templates, that can be downloaded and modified to fit your specific needs. They also offer access to legal professionals who can provide additional guidance and support.

Transfer ownership

Once the sale is complete, you’ll need to transfer ownership of your blog to the buyer. This includes transferring your domain name, transferring your hosting account, and transferring any social media accounts associated with the blog.

Now that you have a list of assets that must be transferred, and a contract in hand. Here are some particulars, depending on your contract, for how and what to transfer.

Domain Name Transfer

This typically involves initiating a transfer request through the buyer’s domain registrar. You, the buyer will need to

1. unlock the domain
2. provide the authorization code

The next step is in the hands of the buyer’s registrar. They will send a confirmation email to the owner of the domain. You/ the owner will have to approve the request within 72 hours of receiving it.

Then the transfer is completed on the buyer’s side.

Website Files / Database

The website files will need to be transferred from your hosting account to the buyer’s hosting account. This may involve transferring the files manually or using a tool like a website migration plugin to automate the process. This would be stated clearly in the purchase agreement.

An automatic and easy way of transferring files is if both selling and buying hosting accounts have similar software on them (cpanel) and it can be done (usually for free) by the buyer’s host. If the hosting configurations are complicated on either end, you will have to download and export copies of the database & /public_html directories and transfer them to the buyer. It is important that you get exports of BOTH: database & files.

Social Media Accounts

If the blog has associated social media accounts, ownership of those accounts will need to be transferred from you to the buyer. This may involve changing the account login credentials. To change the email address of social media accounts, varies by platform. Check with each platform that is sold, per the purchase agreement.

Mailing lists

If the email list is included in the purchase agreement, this does not usually include the email marketing account. Most email marketing service providers offer an ‘export’ function for the email list. This is the file that needs to be transferred to the new owner.

Transitional Support

Providing support is something that would be in the purchase agreement. Where there is an issue that a host/ service provider doesn’t cover, who is to provide support? Typically the seller / you provides support in this area.

Training on the new site is another item to be covered in the purchase agreement. If you – the seller – are providing training, how will it be delivered, when and for how long?

Update legal documents

Lastly, update the legal documents on the site. Be sure that your name is removed from cookie policies, affiliate statements, privacy policies and other terms.

Frequently Asked Questions

There are as many questions as there are blogs when it comes to successfully negotiating the sale. Here are the common ones that we found during our research:

Selling your blog can be a time-consuming and complex process, but with a bit of patience and diligence, it can be a great way to monetize your hard work and dedication.

It is possible to sell a blog, but the likelihood of success will depend on factors such as the niche, traffic, revenue, and the asking price.

The process of selling a blog may not be easy and may require significant effort, such as marketing, negotiation, and transferring ownership.

At the end of the day, selling a blog can be a rewarding experience that provides financial benefits and allows you to focus on other endeavors. With persistence and a positive outlook, you CAN find the right buyer and successfully sell your blog.