Flipping websites is really about the process of buying websites with hidden value, fixing them up, and then selling them later for a profit. The buyer is happy because they have a new site, the seller is happy to turn a profit, and the user gets a better site. Everyone wins!

That said, there are many instances when flipping a site is a really bad idea. Figuring out if you should keep your site for the long term depends your goals among other things. In some cases it’s best to hold onto your site and just keep improving it over time.

Here are some questions to think about when deciding whether or not to sell your site:

• How profitable is the site?
• How much work is it to run the site?
• Was the site created only to make money?
• Are you using the site to establish your brand or online presence?
• Did you put the site together for fun?
• Can you leverage the site into something else?
• Is the site in question making money in an evergreen niche?
• Is the site fad?

If you just want to make a quick buck flipping your site then go ahead! If the site is holding you back, taking up too much time, or you need some money to move on to bigger and better things that by all means sell the site!

However, a better strategy is often to really invest in your website and build it out really well. Add real value to it. Work hard on it. This will increase your revenue on an ongoing basis as well as dramatically increase the valuation if you choose to sell down the road.

The key is to always be adding value for your users no matter what you do. Make your site faster, add better content, add the features your users want.

There are loads of places where you can list a website, but the question is, how do you know which is the best? With forums, auctions and dedicated site flipping marketplaces, each has its own strengths and weaknesses.

Using a Forum as a Marketplace

Digitalpoint, Webhostingtalk, Namepros are examples of popular forums that have sections dedicated to buying and selling websites. From here you can execute the whole transaction and you can also get your site appraised by the community for free. In general though, using a forum is a great way to get interest for a site, but it doesn’t afford either party anything in the way of protection as the transaction is entirely between seller and buyer.

Using an Auction as a Marketplace

eBay is the main example here and as more and more people use eBay, more and more people find out that it’s perhaps not the best tool for the job. Whilst you can successfully flip a site with eBay, it does nothing in the way of verifying any information, other than listing what you provide. As a result, whilst eBay does offer some level of protection, you are still largely responsible for what you buy.

Using a Dedicated Flipping Site

Flippa is the best example of a dedicated flipping site. It is one of the best places to go and because it’s the most popular you really can gain some valuable market insights. The site is highly reliable and they also can authenticate data such as traffic stats to provide some level of safety. By using a site such as Flippa you can take advantage of escrow services which afford both parties some degree of protection. The community on Flippa is knowledgeable and helpful in preventing scams and other fraudulent activity.

Perhaps another option not many people think of is selling the website directly. Many people simply advertise a website for sale on the site itself, but you can often get a lucrative deal by marketing your site to other sites in the same niche, suppliers and even business associates. After all, a good website is worth its weight in gold, and selling your site to someone that’s familiar with it is a lot easier than selling it to someone that’s not.

Whilst many of these sites have their own weaknesses, the reality is that they do work for selling websites. If you are careful when it comes to buying and selling, if you shop around you can find some really good deals simply because some people haven’t heard of the more popular sites such as Namepros and Flippa.

Do your research thoroughly and don’t walk into deals blind. Know exactly what you’re getting in to and don’t become a victim. Whilst you should always be careful, there are loads of bargains out there, you can find a profitable site for yourself, or a lucrative opportunity for resale. When it comes to selling however, save your site for the best marketplaces and make sure you get as much exposure as possible.