Empire Flippers, Motion Invest, and Beyond: Where to Buy and Sell Online Businesses

The digital landscape has experienced a significant transformation, with opportunities in internet business ventures expanding rapidly, especially during and after the pandemic. Traditional brick-and-mortar businesses faced unprecedented challenges, leading many entrepreneurs to pivot towards buy and sell online businesses. This shift not only provided resilience against physical restrictions but also tapped into the growth of ecommerce, offering scalability and flexibility previously unattainable.

Establishing an online business from scratch can be daunting, but finding the right idea and platform can make the process more manageable. Recognizing this, several platforms have emerged to facilitate the buying and selling of online businesses, making it easier to find the perfect business for sale to suit your goals. This blog will explore prominent platforms like Empire Flippers, Motion Invest, and others, providing insights into their histories, features, pricing, and tips on selecting the best platform tailored to your needs.

Key Takeaways

• Platforms like Empire Flippers, Motion Invest, and Flippa provide tailored marketplaces for buying and selling online businesses, each with distinct features, fees, and vetting processes.
• Choosing the right platform depends on your budget, business type, desired transaction speed, and the level of support or tools required.
• High-quality platforms with rigorous vetting, like Empire Flippers and Motion Invest, offer more security but charge higher fees, while open platforms like Flippa require thorough buyer diligence.
• Smaller platforms like Motion Invest and NameSilo cater to niche audiences or smaller-scale transactions, while larger platforms like Empire Flippers and Flippa are a go-to marketplace to buy and sell digital assets efficiently.
• Due diligence is critical for success, and tools like SEMrush, Ahrefs, and platform-specific resources can help validate listings and mitigate risks.

Prominent Platforms for Buy and Sell Online Businesses

Empire Flippers

Established in 2013 by Justin Cooke and Joe Magnotti, Empire Flippers started as a content site brokerage. Over time, it expanded its scope to include various online business models, such as e-commerce, Amazon FBA, SaaS, and more, becoming a trusted platform in the digital business marketplace.

Empire Flippers aims to provide a curated marketplace that connects serious buyers and sellers of profitable ecommerce business models and other online ventures. By focusing on quality and profitability, the platform ensures that transactions are secure and beneficial for both parties, making it an excellent choice for those searching for an online business for sale in the digital space.

Key Features

• Vetted Listings: Each business undergoes a rigorous vetting process to ensure quality and profitability.
• Diverse Business Models: Includes e-commerce, Amazon FBA, SaaS, content sites, and more.
• Personalized Support: Offers dedicated advisors to assist throughout the buying or selling process.

Pricing

• Listing Fees: No upfront fees; however, businesses must meet specific criteria to be listed.
• Success Fees: 15% of the sale price.

Impact: Empire Flippers has facilitated over $510 million in online business sales, earning recognition as an Inc. 5000 company.

Challenges

• High Success Fees: A 15% commission on the sale price can be prohibitive for small businesses or those with tight margins.
• Focus on High-Value Listings: Listings often cater to larger budgets, making it difficult for small investors or beginners to participate.
• Lengthy Approval Process: Sellers face delays due to a rigorous vetting process required before their business can be listed.

Solutions

While the high success fees may seem steep, they can often be justified by the profitability and vetted quality of the businesses listed, offering long-term ROI. Buyers looking to buy an online business should calculate expected revenue streams to assess the true value of the transaction. Empire Flippers provides access to financing partners to overcome budget constraints, enabling buyers to explore premium listings that align with their investment goals. 

For sellers, the approval process can be expedited by preparing comprehensive documentation in advance, including profit and loss statements, tax returns, and operational reports, ensuring faster evaluation and listing.

Getting Started

1. For Sellers: Submit your business for evaluation; it will be listed if it meets the criteria.
2. For Buyers: Register to access detailed listings and work with advisors to find suitable opportunities.

Motion Invest

Founded in 2019 by Jon Gillham, Spencer Haws, and Adam Smith, Motion Invest was created to simplify the buying and selling process for small, profitable websites. Unlike traditional marketplaces, it operates as a hybrid model, offering both brokerage services and direct website purchases, making it a one-stop solution for website entrepreneurs. Motion Invest caters to those seeking straightforward transactions with minimal hassle by focusing on monetized websites with proven traffic and revenue.

Motion Invest aims to make website transactions transparent and efficient, catering to buyers looking for a profitable online business with minimal hassle. Whether you’re a budding entrepreneur or an experienced investor, Motion Invest simplifies the process by curating vetted opportunities and offering hands-on support.

Key Features

• Curated Listings: Focuses on websites earning between $50 and $5,000 monthly.
• Direct Purchases: Offers the option for sellers to sell their website directly to Motion Invest for quick transactions.
• Brokerage Services: Helps sellers find the right buyers by handling the negotiation and sale process.
• Due Diligence: Provides thorough vetting of websites to ensure they meet quality standards.

Pricing

• Seller Fees: Typically around 15% of the sale price.
• Direct Sale Option: Instant offers are calculated based on a multiple of the website’s average monthly earnings.

Impact: Motion Invest has helped facilitate the sale of hundreds of small websites, creating opportunities for entrepreneurs to scale their portfolios or exit easily.

Challenges

• Limited Scope: The platform primarily caters to smaller websites, which may not appeal to those looking for high-revenue opportunities.
• Higher Fees: Compared to some competitors, the 15% commission can feel steep for smaller transactions.
• Manual Vetting: While thorough, the vetting process can take time, delaying transactions for sellers.

Solution

For sellers, ensuring your website meets their earning thresholds and providing detailed traffic and revenue data can speed up the process. Buyers can use Motion Invest’s vetting reports and additional third-party tools like Ahrefs to confirm the site’s performance.

Getting Started

• For Sellers: Submit your website for a direct offer or listing evaluation. Once approved, you can choose between a direct sale or a brokerage listing.
• For Buyers: Browse their curated marketplace, review due diligence reports, and place offers on your desired websites.

Dynadot

Dynadot was founded in 2002 by Todd Han and is a domain registrar and marketplace known for its straightforward pricing, robust tools, and customer-centric approach. It caters to a global audience of domain investors, entrepreneurs, and website developers, offering everything from domain registration and hosting to a bustling auction platform for buying and selling domains.

Dynadot aims to empower individuals and businesses by providing affordable and efficient domain solutions while ensuring an excellent user experience.

Key Features

• Domain Auctions: Includes expired domain auctions, user auctions, and backorder services.
• Domain Management Tools: Features bulk editing, transfer locks, and WHOIS privacy.
• Marketplace: Facilitates domain buying and selling with transparent pricing.
• Website Builder: Offers an intuitive drag-and-drop website builder for those starting from scratch.

Pricing

• Registration Fees: Vary depending on the domain extension, but start as low as $7.99 per year.
• Auction Fees: Charges a 5% commission on successful sales.
• Renewal Fees: Competitive pricing for domain renewals.

Impact: Dynadot has established itself as a reliable platform for individuals and businesses managing domains, hosting websites, or seeking opportunities in the domain aftermarket.

Challenges

• Limited Exposure for Listings: Auctioned domains may receive less visibility compared to larger platforms.
• High Competition for Expired Domains: Popular domains in expired auctions often attract intense bidding.
• Basic Website Builder: While functional, the website builder lacks the advanced features available on dedicated platforms.

Solution

For sellers, pricing your domains competitively and promoting your listings externally can help attract buyers. Buyers interested in expired domains should leverage Dynadot’s backorder system to secure high-demand assets. For advanced website development, consider integrating Dynadot domains with external hosting services.

Getting Started

• For Sellers: List domains in the auction marketplace or set fixed prices in the domain store.
• For Buyers: Explore auctions, backorders, or premium domain listings to find the perfect domain for your project.

NameSilo Auctions

Founded in 2010 by Micahel Goldfarb and his team, NameSilo Auctions is a marketplace integrated into NameSilo’s domain registrar platform. It specializes in expired and premium domain sales. Known for its low fees and user-friendly design, it attracts domain investors and entrepreneurs seeking cost-effective solutions.

NameSilo Auctions aims to democratize domain trading by offering accessible, low-cost tools for buying and selling domains in a secure and straightforward environment.

Key Features

• Expired Domain Auctions: Allows users to bid on domains that are about to be released back into the registry.
• No Hidden Fees: Transparent pricing structure with no additional buyer fees.
• Bulk Tools: Makes it easy for investors to manage large portfolios of domains.
• Free WHOIS Privacy: Included with all registered domains at no extra cost.

Pricing

• Auction Fees: A flat 7.5% commission on successful sales.
• Registration Fees: Start at $9.95 per year for standard domains.
• Renewal Fees: Competitive rates with discounts for bulk renewals.

Impact: NameSilo Auctions has grown steadily, becoming a preferred choice for domain investors due to its affordability and straightforward processes.

Challenges

• Limited Marketplace Features: The platform lacks advanced tools for promoting high-value domains.
• Smaller Audience: Unlike giants like GoDaddy, NameSilo’s auctions attract a niche audience.
• Manual Listing Management: Requires active involvement from sellers to manage listings effectively.

Solution

For sellers, leveraging external promotion channels can boost visibility and attract more buyers. Buyers can benefit from the platform’s affordability and use tools like EstiBot to estimate domain value before bidding.

Getting Started

• For Sellers: List your domain in the auction marketplace with competitive pricing and detailed descriptions.
• For Buyers: Search for expired domains or premium listings, place bids, and secure deals without hidden fees.

Flippa

Founded in 2009 by Mark Harbottle and Matt Mickiewicz, Flippa began as the SitePoint Marketplace before evolving into a standalone platform. Over the years, it has established itself as a leading marketplace for buying and selling websites, apps, domains, and online businesses. Its growth and reputation have made it a go-to destination for entrepreneurs looking to enter or exit the digital business world.

Flippa’s mission is to democratize the process of buying and selling digital assets. By offering a user-friendly platform, it caters to a wide range of users, from beginners venturing into entrepreneurship to seasoned professionals expanding their portfolios. Its accessible design and comprehensive tools make it an attractive option for anyone interested in the online business ecosystem.

Key Features

• Diverse Listings: Offers a wide range of digital assets, including content sites, e-commerce stores, SaaS businesses, and domains.
• Auction and Classified Listings: Sellers can choose between auction-style listings or set fixed prices.
• Due Diligence Tools: Provides analytics and financial data to assist buyers in making informed decisions.

Pricing

• Listing Fees: Ranges from $29 to $499, depending on the asset type and listing enhancements.
• Success Fees: Up to 10% of the sale price.

Impact: Flippa has facilitated over $140 million in transactions, assisting numerous entrepreneurs in entering or exiting the online business market.

Challenges

• Inconsistent Listing Quality: The open marketplace model can lead to low-quality or misrepresented businesses, requiring buyers to perform thorough due diligence.
• High Success Fees: Flippa charges up to 10% of the sale price, which can significantly impact profitability in high-value transactions.
• Increased Scam Risks: The platform’s accessibility raises the likelihood of encountering fraudulent listings, particularly for inexperienced users.

Solution

To address these challenges, buyers can utilize Flippa’s built-in due diligence tools, such as analytics and financial data, to verify the legitimacy of listings and cross-check information using third-party platforms like SEMrush for traffic and revenue analysis. Negotiating success fees directly with Flippa’s team for high-value transactions may help secure better terms and reduce costs. Additionally, partnering with professionals specializing in online business valuations or due diligence can provide expert insights and ensure informed purchasing decisions.

Getting Started

1. For Sellers: Create an account, list your asset with detailed information, and choose between auction or classified listing.
2. For Buyers: Browse listings, utilize due diligence tools, and place bids or offers on desired assets.

BizBuySell

Founded in 1996, BizBuySell is one of the oldest and most established online marketplaces for buying and selling businesses. With a long history in the industry, it offers an extensive array of business listings across various industries, making it a valuable resource for entrepreneurs and investors alike.

The platform’s primary goal is to connect business buyers and sellers, including brokers, to facilitate smooth and efficient transactions. By providing tools and resources to assist with valuations and negotiations, BizBuySell has become a trusted hub for those transitioning into or out of business ownership.

Key Features

• Extensive Listings: Over 100,000 active listings, including online and offline businesses.
• Broker Network: Access to a large network of business brokers.
• Valuation Tools: Provides resources to help determine business value.

Pricing

• Listing Fees: Starts at $59.95 for a 6-month listing.
• Success Fees: None; however, broker fees may apply if utilized.

Impact: BizBuySell has been instrumental in connecting thousands of buyers and sellers, contributing to the growth of small businesses.

Challenges

• Generalized Focus: BizBuySell’s inclusion of both online and offline businesses makes it time-consuming to filter relevant digital opportunities.
• Inconsistent Listing Quality: A lack of thorough vetting results in variable listing quality, increasing the need for buyer scrutiny.
• Broker Dependency: While brokers can be valuable, their fees can significantly increase the cost of transactions.

Solutions

Buyers can streamline their search using BizBuySell’s advanced filters to narrow results to digital business listings sorted by revenue, industry, or other key criteria. To ensure fair pricing, leveraging the platform’s valuation tools can help buyers validate listed prices against market standards. Additionally, negotiating broker fees for better rates or conducting DIY research using the platform’s resources can help reduce costs associated with broker involvement.

Getting Started

1. For Sellers: Create an account, list your business with detailed information, and choose additional marketing options if desired.
2. For Buyers: Browse listings, contact sellers or brokers, and utilize valuation tools.

Acquire (formerly MicroAcquire)

Founded in 2020 by Andrew Gazdecki, Acquire began as MicroAcquire, aiming to simplify acquisitions for startups and small online businesses. Over time, the platform rebranded as Acquire to emphasize its scalability and adaptability for businesses of various sizes, broadening its reach within the entrepreneurial community.

Acquire’s goal is to streamline the process of buying and selling startups by removing intermediaries like brokers. By simplifying transactions, the platform offers a direct and efficient experience for entrepreneurs looking to exit their businesses and buyers seeking new investment opportunities.

Key Features

• Startup-Focused Listings: Primarily caters to SaaS, e-commerce, and app-based businesses.
• Confidential Transactions: Offers privacy options, allowing sellers to reveal details only to verified buyers.
• No Commission Fees: The platform operates on subscription plans rather than taking a cut from sales.
• Built-in Tools: Provides templates for NDAs, LOIs, and other transactional documents.

Pricing

• Subscription-based pricing, starting at $390/year for access to premium listings and resources.

Impact: In a short span, Acquire has facilitated over $500 million in startup acquisitions, enabling hundreds of entrepreneurs to transition their businesses successfully.

Challenges

• Limited Vetting Process: Acquire’s less comprehensive vetting compared to platforms like Empire Flippers increases the risk of acquiring underperforming businesses.
• Subscription Costs: Starting at $390, the annual subscription fee may not be cost-effective for casual users or one-time buyers.
• Focus on Startups: The platform’s emphasis on startup-scale businesses excludes larger or more established companies.

Solutions

To mitigate risks, buyers should conduct thorough due diligence using third-party tools to validate financial and operational data and request detailed reports from sellers, including traffic, revenue, and expense breakdowns. Frequent buyers can maximize the value of Acquire’s subscription plan by leveraging premium access to listings and tools, making it an economical choice for portfolio expansion. Additionally, staying informed about trends in SaaS and e-commerce, where Acquire specializes, can help buyers identify promising growth opportunities in niche markets.

Getting Started

1. For Sellers: Create a seller profile, list your startup with relevant details, and manage communications with interested buyers.
2. For Buyers: Sign up for an account, browse available businesses, and contact sellers directly.

This matrix clearly compares each platform’s advantages and drawbacks, making it easier for users to evaluate and choose the best fit for their needs when buying and selling online businesses.

Platform	Pros	Cons
Empire Flippers	Highly vetted listings, diverse business models, personalized support	High success fees focus on high-value listings, a lengthy approval process
Motion Invest	Curated listings, direct purchase options, thorough due diligence	Limited scope, higher fees, slower vetting process
Dynadot	Affordable registration fees, robust management tools, transparent auction fees	Limited exposure for listings, high competition for expired domains, basic website builder
NameSilo Auctions	Low fees, free WHOIS privacy, straightforward interface	Smaller audience, limited marketplace features, manual listing management
Flippa	Diverse listings, flexible pricing, built-in analytics tools	Inconsistent listing quality, high success fees, increased scam risks
BizBuySell	Extensive listings, valuation tools, no success fees	Generalized focus, inconsistent listing quality, broker dependency
Acquire	Startup-focused, no commission fees, built-in transaction tools	Limited vetting, subscription cost, focus on startups only

Tips: Best Platform for Buying and Selling Online Businesses

When navigating platforms for buying and selling online businesses, choosing one that aligns with your goals, niche, and budget is essential. Here are key considerations to help guide your decision:

1. Define Your Budget

Assess whether you can afford high success fees (like Empire Flippers) or prefer platforms with no or low fees (like Acquire or NameSilo). If you have a limited budget, look for platforms like Motion Invest or NameSilo that cater to smaller transactions.

2. Know Your Business Size and Type

Choose a platform that aligns with your business size or type; Empire Flippers is best for high-value businesses, while Motion Invest suits smaller, profitable websites. If you’re dealing with domains or small assets, platforms like Dynadot and NameSilo might be better suited.

3. Consider Listing and Vetting Quality

Platforms like Empire Flippers and Motion Invest have rigorous vetting, ensuring higher-quality listings, while Flippa and BizBuySell require more due diligence from you. If you prefer reliable pre-screened opportunities, prioritize platforms with thorough vetting processes, even if they charge higher fees.

4. Prioritize the Speed of Transactions

Direct sale options, like those on Motion Invest, allow for faster transactions, while platforms with vetting (like Empire Flippers) may take longer. Consider platforms with expedited processes like Acquire or NameSilo if you need a quick exit or acquisition.

5. Evaluate Fees and Cost Structure

If success fees impact your profitability, platforms like Acquire (subscription-based) or BizBuySell (no success fees) may be ideal. Platforms with flat or lower percentage fees, such as NameSilo Auctions, might be more cost-effective for smaller transactions.

6. Focus on Tools and Support

If you value hands-on support, Empire Flippers and Motion Invest offer personalized advisors, while others like Flippa rely on self-service tools. Platforms like Acquire provide built-in transaction tools, which can simplify complex deals for both buyers and sellers.

7. Match the Platform to Your Skill Level

Beginners might prefer platforms with robust due diligence tools (Flippa, Motion Invest) or straightforward interfaces (NameSilo, Dynadot). Experienced buyers or sellers can leverage platforms with fewer restrictions, like Acquire, for more control and direct negotiations.

8. Check for Marketplace Exposure

Platforms with a broader audience, such as Empire Flippers and Flippa, offer better visibility for listings but can be competitive. For niche audiences or lower costs, consider NameSilo or Dynadot, even if their exposure is more limited.

9. Assess Scalability and Growth Potential

Platforms like Acquire (for SaaS and startups) or Flippa (diverse assets) provide ample opportunities if you plan to scale or diversify your portfolio. Smaller or niche platforms like Motion Invest may limit future scalability but offer focused transactions for specific needs.

10. Account for Fraud Risks

Platforms with vetted listings (Empire Flippers, Motion Invest) are safer but costlier, while open marketplaces (Flippa) require more thorough buyer diligence. Use platforms with built-in due diligence or cross-verify listings with external tools like SEMrush or Ahrefs to minimize risks.

Conclusion

Buying and selling online businesses has never been more accessible, thanks to platforms like Empire Flippers, Motion Invest, and others. These marketplaces have revolutionized the industry, offering aspiring entrepreneurs and experienced business owners opportunities to explore profitable ventures.

For additional tips, tools, and insights into online businesses, visit Softlist.io. Softlist.io provides in-depth guides and resources tailored for individuals looking to navigate the dynamic world of online business acquisitions.

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