Wsmith started this topic @ 23:17 on 08/01/2007
Hi,
Has anyone had any experiences with purchasing ready to start internet businesses.
The type that have been set up by web design / SEO companies. They have not done any trading.
In particular www.webbusinessesforsale.com.
They sell the website / training / business model / equipment / support for up to 12 months / SEO. The business is sold for between £10k - £23k. The main type of site that this company offers are guides, sites that other sites can advertise on ie FreightandHaulage, Restaurant guides, hotel guides etc.
Does anyone have any thoughts or experiences in this area of entering the e-business world?
Any comments will be much appreciated.
Regards
Wesley
RE: Experiences with Internet Businesses for Sale
cybernation | 09/01/2007 10:46 AM
With £10k I could outsource the services of a professional web design and SEO expert and start my own empire at about 50% of that amount. Considering that your currency here in South Africa is about R14 to £1...
I would not buy that business (taking into consideration that no trading history exist), you'll be gambling with your hard earned cash.
What makes them think their business is worth so much without any trading history?
Instead I would research at other means of making maximum use of £10k.
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Regards,
Muzi Mohale
TravelWires cc
www.accommodate.co.za
www.bid2load.com
www.travelwires.com
RE: RE: Experiences with Internet Businesses for Sale
thorpelad | 09/01/2007 03:58 PM
Hi,
A agree with the above post. For £10k you could get a website designed and developed much more to your liking and ideas. Then have it seo'd by an expert and still have quite a lof change left over for a good marketing campaign.
Thorpelad
RE: Experiences with Internet Businesses for Sale
fastfences | 09/01/2007 05:01 PM
I have no experiences, but my thoughts here are that the 'seller' may be the only winner. A large component of a 'business' sale is usually 'goodwill' (a price for the established custom of the business). As these web businesses have no history it is merely a website with a name which you could get for under £5K.
As others have said, if you want to work in this area, set up on your own; small at first and part-time. That way you'll get a good 'feel' for your biz and will be able to 'fine-tune' along the way.
Cheers, Nigel
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RE: RE: Experiences with Internet Businesses for Sale
Wsmith | 09/01/2007 10:53 PM
Do you not think that the fact that the package includes a successful (according to them) business plan / model and sales platform, training and 12 months of support and help and computer equipment is worth paying for.
What all of you have said is what I have thought about the most....Is this overpriced? Can it be set up for cheaper? How much cheaper? Will this allow you to jump straight into selling / marketing rather than spending time building the site?
However, the other side is, is the additional help and previously successful business model worth paying that bit extra for?
I'm not sure.
I have contact people who have purchased off this company with the majority giving positive feedback. Not all have had fast results but all think the concept is good.
RE: RE: Experiences with Internet Businesses for Sale
cybernation | 10/01/2007 06:29 AM
Originally posted by: Wsmith
Do you not think that the fact that the package includes a successful (according to them) business plan / model and sales platform, training and 12 months of support and help and computer equipment is worth paying for.
What all of you have said is what I have thought about the most....Is this overpriced? Can it be set up for cheaper? How much cheaper? Will this allow you to jump straight into selling / marketing rather than spending time building the site?
However, the other side is, is the additional help and previously successful business model worth paying that bit extra for?
I'm not sure.
I have contact people who have purchased off this company with the majority giving positive feedback. Not all have had fast results but all think the concept is good.
The success angle of the business plan/model/sales etc...has no tangible track record to prove it. The long and short of it, it's extremely expensive without proven figures...
------------------------
Regards,
Muzi Mohale
TravelWires cc
www.accommodate.co.za
www.bid2load.com
www.travelwires.com
RE: Experiences with Internet Businesses for Sale
rcain | 11/02/2007 02:10 AM
Be very suspicious.
The site you reference seems generally to be a portal site listing other providers (eg. of shell companies, web sites, business plans, etc). Apart from pulling candidates into one place, its difficult to see the value tey add.
I would echo comments above:
either:
a) set up you own company, website, etc, according to your own business plan (one that you have a great deal of enthusiasm about, else it wont work). This should cost a fraction of the 10K£ quoted.
b) or, seek a viable, trading company for sale in the likes of Loot, Evening Standard - other brokerage site - but get a qualified accountant to assess its worth before committing anything (though this will also cost you up-front).
c) or, look for a franchise (eg. in franchise magazine, loot, et al) with a proven sales record and business model (more expensive to buy into but less risk so long as you get them independently assessed by your friendly accountants)
We would be very interested in quoting you for providing an online business environment, whenever you feel you have a viable business plan. We specialise in startups. Please do not hesitate to contact me.
Rob Cain
rcain@systemcore.co.uk
www.systemcore.co.uk
