Are you an internet marketer and are tired of providing services to the ever-nagging clients who are never happy with the outcome no matter how hard you have worked for them?
Are you fed up with raising the monthly invoices and waiting several days for the client to release the payment?
Are you looking for sure-shot ways to earn some good money online that is guaranteed?
Are you an internet entrepreneur looking to make it big from your online business?
Well, if the answer to all the questions above is yes, then you have landed on the right page on the internet!
We will share a very important and high-rewarding business idea with you in this article that is known as – website flipping! So keep reading to explore what it is and how it can change the way you do business online and earn money online.
What is Website Flipping?
Alright, so there are numerous avenues to make money online, like providing services to clients, ad-sense revenue and affiliate marketing, drop shipping, etc. However, one lucrative option that has gained popularity in recent years is website flipping. Website flipping involves buying, revamping, and selling websites for profit. This online business model has garnered the attention of many enterprising individuals looking to earn money through strategic investments in the virtual landscape.
In simple words, website flipping is the process of purchasing a website, making improvements to enhance its value, and then selling it for a higher price. Just like flipping real estate, website flipping involves spotting undervalued assets, adding value through optimization, and then selling at a higher price to make a profit.
This practice has opened up a new stream of income for digital entrepreneurs who are willing to invest time and effort in understanding the website marketplace.
Benefits of Website Flipping
It is just like buying, developing, and reselling real estate; in our case, it is virtual real estate! You find a basic website available for a few bucks, buy it, work on it to develop its metrics like traffic and clicks, etc., and once it grows into something big, you sell it for a higher price so that your invested time and efforts are duly rewarded.
There are several benefits to engaging in website flipping as a means to make money online. Firstly, it gives you freedom to work on the project of your choice.
Secondly, it also offers a relatively low barrier to entry, as you can start with a small investment (you can start with as low as $50 or $100) and gradually scale up as you gain experience and resources.
Thirdly, website flipping allows you to tap into the growing demand for online businesses, especially as more companies shift towards digital platforms. Additionally, it provides an avenue for creative expression and strategic thinking, as you explore ways to optimize websites for better performance and profitability.
Steps Involved in Flipping Websites
1. Purchasing
It all starts with identifying a good domain name website that has a good potential but is lacking the rocket fuel. Often times the seller is not willing to work anymore on the project and has decided to just give up on it and wants to sell the website to cover the cost they have invested in it. You have to be alert and lucky at the same time to identify such a website and try to negotiate and buy it before anyone else does at a reasonable price.
Look for websites in niche markets with growth potential or those that have valuable domain names.
2. Revamping
Once you have acquired the website, assess its design, content, SEO, and user experience to identify areas for improvement. Make necessary changes to enhance the website’s appeal and functionality. This is where your expertise as a web designer or SEO comes into the picture. Use your skills to make the necessary improvements or even hire some freelancer to do it for you.
3. Selling
The final step involves selling the revamped website for a profit. List the website on online platforms or marketplaces for website sales and negotiate with potential buyers to secure a lucrative deal. This is a somewhat challenging part of the process, but if you have really made the website worth then the buyer will come to you for sure.
Platforms Where You Can Buy and Sell Ready-made Websites
The market for ready-made websites is growing rapidly as entrepreneurs, bloggers, and investors look for quick ways to start an online business or flip digital assets for profit. Buying a pre-built website saves time on design, content creation, and setup, while selling offers creators an opportunity to monetize their work. Here are some of the most popular platforms where you can buy and sell ready-made websites. Each platform has their own pros and cons. So it is advised to test and do some research about these website flipping platforms before you decide to invest in them. You can do so by reading online reviews and asking fellow professionals about these platforms on other forums, communities, and groups.
1. Flippa
Flippa is a leading online marketplace—founded in June 2009 by Mark Harbottle and Matt Mickiewicz—connecting buyers and sellers of websites, online businesses, domains, apps, and SaaS companies. It has facilitated hundreds of thousands of transactions and continues growing.
Key Statistics
- Over $400 million in total sales since inception
- Publishes around 3,000 new listings per month (~100 per day) and performs approx. 4,000 valuations monthly
- Around 67% of listings are under $50K; breakdown includes: < $1K (8.3%), $1K–5K (14.6%), $5K–10K (13.5%), $10K–50K (30.4%)
- Business types: 51.8% e-commerce, 28% content sites, 8.1% SaaS, and 12.1% others
- User base exceeds 1.5 million with monthly visits reported around 1.3 million
Fees Structure
- Listing fee starts from $29–49, depending on asset type; domains/apps often ~$10–15
- Success fees up to $50K → 10%; $50–100K → 7.5%; above $100K → 5%
- Broker-assisted listings incur up to 15% commission
- Optional upgrades: premium boosts ($65–295), confidential listing ($99–199), valuation or optimization reports ($29+)
Advantages
- Massive, diverse marketplace—across budgets and niches
- Opportunity to find undervalued, under-monetized assets
- Lower commission than many brokered services
- Strong buyer network (1.5 M+ users, 300k+ newsletter subscribers)
- Secure escrow handled via Escrow.com
Disadvantages
- Many listings are unverified (below $50K), requiring buyer caution
- Overwhelming volume makes filtering time-consuming
- Sellers may struggle for visibility without paid upgrades
- No migration assistance—buyers must handle transfers themselves
Confidential listing is costly, and platform defaults to public listings
Flippa is an expansive and accessible platform—ideal for both buyers and sellers across price ranges—but demands careful vetting and diligence, especially for lower-tier listings.
2. Empire Flippers
Empire Flippers is a highly curated online marketplace and brokerage for buying and selling established websites and online businesses. With over $550 million in sales to date, it stands out as a trusted platform for high-value digital assets.
Key Statistics & Marketplace Metrics
- Total sales volume stands at approximately $554 million, with 2,494 listings sold and about 325,000 buyers and sellers engaged
- On average, listings sell at 87% of their list price, and deals typically close in 115 days
- In 2023, the average sale price was around $269,000
- Real-time data shows 2,233 sold listings totaling approximately $481 million, with an average valuation multiple of 31.29× monthly earnings
Fee Structure
Empire Flippers charges no listing fees—sellers only pay upon successful sale. Their blended success fee is:
- 15% on the first $700,000
- 8% on amounts between $700,001 and $5 million
- 2.5% on any amount over $5 million
- Buyers incur no fees, but must pass identity and liquidity verification to access full listing details
Advantages
- Strict vetting process—Empire Flippers rejects approximately 88–91% of applications, ensuring high-quality listings
- Hands-on support—Includes valuation tools, profit & loss statements, escrow, legal documentation, and migration services
- Buyer protections—Guaranteed minimum earnings during the inspection period add an extra layer of assurance
- Exclusive and serious buyer base, reducing low-quality traffic and enhancing deal flow
Disadvantages
- High entry price—Most listings exceed $100,000, with an average of $269,000, making it less accessible for beginners
- Premium valuation multiples—Average listing multiples hover around 30× to 40× earnings, which is among the highest in the industry
- Commission fees are steep—The 15% base commission can significantly cut into seller proceeds
- Competing with professional investors—Listings often attract private equity and high-net-worth buyers, increasing competition
Empire Flippers is a premium, well-vetted marketplace ideal for buyers and sellers of mature, profitable online businesses—offering comprehensive support and transparency at the cost of higher entry thresholds and commissions.
3. Motion Invest
Motion Invest is a specialized online marketplace focused exclusively on content-driven websites such as blogs and review sites. All listings undergo manual verification—covering traffic, revenue, domain ownership, backlink profiles, and potential penalizations—usually within a week, ensuring buyers high-quality, legitimate assets.
Key Statistics & Marketplace Insights
- Inventory generally ranges from entry-level sites under $1,000 to more established properties priced around $40,000–$50,000; the sweet spot for many listings lies between $5,000–$10,000.
- Active listings typically number around 40–50 at any time, offering a steady turnover.
- The platform maintains a high transaction success rate of approximately 97%.
Fees Structure
No upfront or listing fees.
Success (commission) fees are tiered:
- Under $20,000: 20%
- $20,000–$50,000: 15%
- $50,000–$100,000: 10%
- $100,000–$500,000: 7%
- Over $500,000: 5%
Unique Features
- Uses a Dutch Auction system: listings start high and gradually decrease in price until sold or hitting a reserve level—typically reaching that threshold after 30 days.
- Provides full-service support: valuation assistance, listing creation, escrow services, legal documents, and site transfers are all handled by the Motion Invest team at no extra cost.
- Offers prompt onboarding and dedicated migration support, making the process beginner-friendly.
Advantages
- Ideal for first-time or budget-conscious buyers seeking verified, smaller-scale content sites.
- Hands-on support and a curated environment reduce risk and speed up transactions.
- Secure and transparent transactions with escrow and clear metrics.
Disadvantages
- Site selection is limited to content-based models (no e-commerce, SaaS, etc.)
- Commission fees are relatively high—especially for lower-priced listings—which may deter some sellers.
- The platform has fewer listings and less polish than larger competitors; UI may feel basic and listings may require post-purchase work.
Motion Invest is a curated, buyer-friendly marketplace tailored for content-focused website transactions. It offers transparent, secure, and efficient deals for budgets typically under $50K—but trades breadth and premium valuations for quality, support, and simplicity.
4. WebsiteBroker
WebsiteBroker.com is among the earliest platforms for trading digital assets—spanning websites, domains, and more. It was launched in 1997 by California attorneys aiming to streamline buying, selling, and trading of existing websites.
Platform Overview & Tools
Provides a suite of resources like a website valuation guide, an online valuation calculator, and legal templates (e.g., privacy policies, terms of use) to assist users in due diligence.
The interface supports filtering by price, traffic, and other criteria to help navigate listings efficiently.
Advantages
- Deep roots and simplicity: Being one of the oldest, it offers a streamlined and easy-to-use platform—especially appealing for beginners or those seeking lower-cost listings.
- Specialized focus: It caters narrowly to websites (plus related assets), attracting a relevant, interested audience with less noise compared to broader marketplaces.
- Empowers independent users: You retain control—list your asset, manage pricing, and negotiate directly with potential buyers, ideal for building foundational experience.
Disadvantages
- Limited support services: Unlike full-service brokers, WebsiteBroker lacks assistance with legal, migration, or escrow services—users must manage transactions largely on their own.
- Smaller reach: With a modest user base, listings may get less visibility, possibly leading to longer sale cycles or lower bids.
- Mixed reliability: Some online reviews report poor experiences—one reviewer even described it as a scam and expressed frustrations with unresponsive service.
- At the same time, others have had positive yet cautious experiences when doing their own due diligence.
WebsiteBroker is a longstanding, DIY-friendly marketplace for trading websites and related digital assets. It offers approachable tools and autonomy at a lower cost—but lacks hands-on support and carries some reputational risk, prompting cautious verification on the user’s part.
5. FE International
FE International is a premier M&A advisory and brokerage firm specializing in the sale of established online businesses in niches such as SaaS, e-commerce, and content. Since 2010, the firm has successfully closed over 1,000 acquisitions, totaling more than $1 billion in transacted value, boasting an impressive 94.1% success rate.
Fee Structure
- Seller’s commission: Starts at 15% for deals up to ~$500,000, with a tiered decrease for larger deals—potentially down to around 10%.
- Buyer’s fee: 2.5% of the purchase price, capped at $1,000 per transaction.
- Escrow fees: Typically around 1% total, split between buyer and seller.
Process & Services
FE International offers a highly refined, full-service brokerage model with no upfront listing fees. Sellers undergo in-depth valuation and due diligence, handled by in-house accountants and advisors. A professional prospectus, legal documentation, escrow facilitation, marketing, buyer negotiation, and post-sale handover are all included.
Advantages
- Highly vetted and premium quality business listings.
- Exceptional track record with a 94%+ success rate.
- Comprehensive support—from valuation to handover—reducing seller workload and timeline.
- Buyer confidence is boosted by detailed documentation and transparency.
Drawbacks
- High minimum deal thresholds—typically six-figure valuations—and fewer listings compared to more open marketplaces.
- Commission costs (15%) plus buyer fees may make FE International less accessible for smaller-scale sellers or buyers.
- The premium model isn’t ideal for those seeking quick, low-cost transactions.
FE International delivers a top-tier, full-scope brokerage experience tailored for mid- to high-value online businesses. Its strong track record, rigorous vetting, and hands-on management make it a trusted partner—though this comes with elevated fee structures and exclusivity.
6. SideProjectors
SideProjectors is a friendly, developer-built marketplace launched in 2013 where creators can showcase and trade side projects—such as web apps, SaaS products, scripts, and websites—directly with interested buyers.
Key Features & Structure
- Zero fees—no listings charges, no commissions. Sellers pay nothing to list, and buyers incur no fees to browse or contact.
- DIY transactions—the platform simply connects buyers and sellers; payment, transfer, and due diligence are handled privately by the parties. There’s no escrow, nor vetting or verification built into the platform.
Advantages
- Cost-free entry makes it ideal for experimenting, pre-launch listing, or selling small-scale projects with minimal investment.
- Wide variety of projects—listings range from niche apps to hobby SaaS tools and indie web apps, attracting creative and varied offerings.
Drawbacks
- Lower traffic and exposure compared to larger marketplaces—your project may get less visibility.
- Limited listing details—many posts lack critical metrics like revenue, traffic, or audience data, making evaluation harder.
Sam Dickie - No built-in safeguards—buyers must exercise caution and perform their own due diligence, as there’s no escrow or platform-mandated vetting.
SideProjectors is a zero-cost, no-frills marketplace perfect for indie developers and makers looking to move side projects with full control. It’s straightforward and welcoming—but lacks the structure, visibility, and security features offered by more established platforms.
Whether you’re looking to invest in a profitable business or quickly sell a project, these platforms offer diverse opportunities in the growing digital marketplace.
How to Build Websites from Expired Domains and Sell for Profit
Expired domains are website addresses that were not renewed by their owners, making them available for purchase. By acquiring expired domains with high traffic or valuable backlinks, you can build new websites on these domains and monetize them for profit. Platforms like GoDaddy Auctions, NameJet, and ExpiredDomains.net offer access to a wide range of expired domain listings for purchase.
Retrieving Content from Expired Websites Using Wayback Machine
The Wayback Machine is a digital archive of the World Wide Web that allows users to access historical versions of websites. By entering the URL of an expired website into the Wayback Machine, you can retrieve past content, images, and information from the website’s archives. This can be useful for rebuilding websites on expired domains or repurposing content for new projects.
Conclusion
In conclusion, website flipping is a viable option for making money online by leveraging the digital marketplace to buy and sell websites for profit. With careful research, strategic planning, and a willingness to invest time and resources, aspiring website flippers can tap into this lucrative business model and unlock new opportunities in the online economy.
