Unlocking Profits: My Journey of Selling Websites in 24 Hours
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Chapter 1: The Thrill of Website Flipping
This month, I entertained the idea of launching between 50 to 100 websites, flipping them, and capturing the process in a case study.
Though I was excited about this project, I found myself deliberating for too long. With only six days left in the month, I realized I may need to postpone this endeavor until next month. However, I successfully sold another website in under 24 hours just for fun! Here’s how it unfolded…
Building Starter Sites for Profit
There’s a significant demand for websites. Many individuals are looking to launch projects or businesses that require a web presence. Others might want to start blogging or affiliate marketing but lack the time or desire to build a site themselves. As a result, they opt to purchase a pre-made site.
Starter sites are in high demand on auction platforms such as Flippa. That’s the marketplace I utilize and where I’ve had considerable success selling these small sites. These sites typically generate no income and have no traffic, yet they serve various purposes and can be highly profitable.
Flipping My Latest Finance Website in 24 Hours
It's worth noting that this isn't the established finance site I previously mentioned. This is a budgeting-focused site I created just a few days ago, titled "Best of Budgeting."
Although I can usually develop sites like this in a day, my busy schedule extended the process to about three days. After selecting a catchy and memorable domain name, I registered it, linked it to my hosting provider, and set up WordPress. Then, I populated it with content, refined some pages, and prepared it for sale.
Less than 24 hours after listing my site on Flippa, it met the reserve price, indicating it would sell! Full disclosure: while the auction is still ongoing, hitting the reserve price means it will be sold to me at that minimum accepted price once the auction concludes. This milestone was achieved within the first day of its listing!
How Did I Choose the Website Type?
I focused on a niche I’m familiar with and experimented with various catchy names until I found one that resonated. There are free online name generators available if you need assistance with naming your website, although I typically don't use them.
I applied a theme I had previously purchased on Etsy, which can be an optional expense, with some themes available for as little as $11.
For the auction on Flippa, I utilized a script I commonly use for my site sales and transparently displayed the reserve price. I received three bids: $5, $100, and $147, with $147 being my reserve price. I also included a "Buy It Now" option that allows buyers to purchase the site immediately for a higher price than the reserve.
Here’s an example of a website listing with a Buy It Now price: Flippa. In this case, the reserve price is set at $3,500, while the Buy It Now price is significantly higher at $15,000.
What’s the Objective Here?
Ultimately, it’s about the profit! This is a business venture: build a site, sell it, and reap the rewards.
I flip various types of sites, from established ones that generate recurring income and traffic (which take longer to create and can sell for four to six figures) to brand-new starter sites with no traffic or income, which tend to sell for lower amounts, typically in the three-figure range.
If you explore Flippa, you’ll discover numerous sellers focusing solely on starter sites, launching dozens or even hundreds of these micro-sites each month while earning a healthy profit.
What's the Profit Potential?
The profit possibilities are vast. Here are some hypothetical earnings:
- 10 sites at $150 each = $1,500 (before fees)
- 20 sites at $100 each = $2,000 (before fees)
- 100 sites at $200 each = $20,000 (before fees)
I appreciate that website flipping can be a flexible side hustle. If you want to boost your income one month, flip a few sites. If you aim to turn this into a full-time business, focus on increasing your monthly volume of sales.
While this may not be easy, after your first website build and flip, you’ll gain a clearer understanding of the process, making subsequent projects easier to handle.
This venture is particularly suitable for those interested in solopreneurship. It’s introvert-friendly, has a low barrier to entry, requires a minimal startup budget, and does not necessitate advanced technical skills.
If you're intrigued by this topic, I have more articles available on my blog, Millennial Nextdoor. Simply search for "website flipping" in the search bar. You can also follow my TikTok account dedicated to website flipping for more insights!
So, given that this site is set to sell for $147, if I successfully sell nine more at the same price, my gross profit would amount to $1,470. Not too shabby for a part-time side hustle, right?
Would You Consider This as a Side Hustle?
What are your thoughts on this approach? Does it pique your interest, and would you attempt it as a side gig?
For more stories like this, check out my Substack, where I delve into side hustles, social media, content creation, and business strategies.
Chapter 2: Making Your First Sale
This video provides a comprehensive guide on creating a website to sell products in under an hour, showcasing quick strategies and tips.
Chapter 3: Maximizing Revenue with Dropshipping
In this video, learn how to generate $10,000 in just 24 hours through Shopify dropshipping without relying on paid advertisements.