How to Buy an Online Business
Your complete guide to finding, evaluating, and purchasing digital businesses
1
Create Your Account
Start by creating a free BuyExits account. This gives you access to detailed business listings, financial information, and the ability to contact sellers directly.
2
Browse and Filter Listings
Use our advanced search filters to find businesses that match your criteria:
- Category: E-commerce, SaaS, Content, Affiliate Marketing, etc.
- Price Range: Set your budget parameters
- Revenue: Filter by monthly or annual revenue
- Business Model: Subscription, one-time sales, advertising, etc.
3
Analyze Key Metrics
When evaluating businesses, pay close attention to these critical metrics:
Financial Metrics
- Revenue trends (12-24 months)
- Profit margins
- Cash flow stability
- Customer acquisition cost
Operational Metrics
- Traffic sources
- Customer retention rates
- Time investment required
- Technical dependencies
4
Contact the Seller
Once you find an interesting business, reach out to the seller through our messaging system. Be prepared to:
- Introduce yourself and your background
- Explain your interest in the business
- Ask specific questions about operations
- Request additional documentation if needed
Tip: Serious inquiries get faster responses. Show that you've done your research and are financially qualified.
5
Conduct Due Diligence
Before making an offer, thoroughly investigate the business:
Financial Verification
- Bank statements
- Tax returns
- Profit & loss statements
- Payment processor records
Technical Review
- Google Analytics access
- Website/app performance
- Source code quality
- Infrastructure setup
6
Make an Offer
Based on your due diligence, make a fair offer considering:
- Revenue multiples for similar businesses
- Growth potential and market trends
- Risk factors and mitigation strategies
- Your available capital and financing options
Important: Consider including contingencies for verification of claimed metrics during the final agreement.
7
Complete the Transaction
Once your offer is accepted, work with the seller to:
- Draft a purchase agreement (consider legal counsel)
- Set up escrow for secure payment processing
- Plan the transfer of all business assets
- Arrange training and transition support
- Update all accounts and ownership records
Red Flags to Avoid
- Declining revenue without explanation
- Reluctance to provide documentation
- Over-dependence on single traffic source
- Unrealistic revenue claims
- Poor website/app performance
- Legal or compliance issues
- High customer churn rates
- Pressure to close quickly
Ready to Start Your Search?
Browse our curated marketplace of verified online businesses