how to sell a business

[Deleted member 61074]

A client has come to me as he is considering selling his business - so am after a few leads to pass on - ie places to advertise, brokers to approach etc. Any ideas please?

business is internet services (not ecommerce).

I am also after info re how to value a service based business - esp in current climate. The business is active and profitable.

 

[Emma47]

Hello,

It is more than just important to know how, when, and how much to sell your business for. There is a big difference between properly preparing your assets to be sold and putting a for sale sign on the front door. Knowing the difference can pay big dividends.

Seattle Chamber Of Commerce Resources For Selling A Business
Major issues to consider before deciding to sell your business.
Seller Financing
With as much as 90% of the sales of small businesses involving at least some seller financing, it may be unrealistic to expect to receive a lump sum payment. Yet financing can be tricky, as agreeing to a long period of payments entails the same type of risk as owning the business and depends on the business' future success. Alternatives may include getting the buyer to use non-business assets as security for the loan.
Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOP)
One way to sell the business to your employees is through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). ESOPs are tax-qualified employee benefit plans that invest primarily in stock of the employer. Significant tax advantages may be available to both an individual selling the business to an ESOP and the employees participating in the plan. The many tax incentives and benefits of employees having ownership in the business make such plans attractive even when business owners wish to sell only part of their businesses.

Thank You

 

[Wholesale-Suppliers]

hey I think you should not do so hurry may be what are seeing is not reality just investigate about your client and the good will of his business and take decision after doing discussions with your mates

 

[Rhodes100]

What you need is a business transfer agent such as myself, I trade under the name Horizon Business Agents.

I can advise your client on the most likely selling price and if the business is worth less than £20,000 can help sell it for as little as £199 plus vat.

 

[jim_gold]

Hi dunerider

With 20 years experience in the business sales marketplace, I'd be happy to give you an estimated valuation. PM me with your details and I'll let you know what information I'd need on the business.

With regards to selling options, we know just about all the business brokers in the UK so can advise on who might be best placed to sell it.

Moreover, you can list the business for free on one of our very established websites: www.business-sale.com if the estimated value is in excess of £200K, or www.bizsale.co.uk for smaller business for sale listings.

 

[Clinton]

I've written extensively on the valuation of websites and how it's done. There's a short article here and a more detailed version of that here. I've also analysed and provided graphs there on the type of multiples internet businesses sell for (broken down by business category).

Selling web businesses is a lot different to selling B&M businesses and where you list can affect the price you get quite considerably. It's important to present your offering to the right audience. Here's a list of places where sites are advertised for sale.

The forum is my signature is a location where buyers and sellers of web businesses discuss issues surrounding selling/buying service and product websites.

Drop me a PM if I can help with any further questions.