Selling a Business Advice

Selling an Internet Advertising Business

You've heard the naysayers - now isn't the time to sell a internet advertising business. But what they don't know is that many entrepreneurs see internet advertising businesses as a smart business investment.

You won't find any magic formulas for selling an internet advertising business, especially while the market is struggling to overcome the perceptions created by a down economy.

At Gaebler, we think that's a mistake because with adequate preparation and the right sale strategy, this might be the best time to put your internet advertising business on the market.

How Much Does It Cost to Sell an internet advertising business?

The calculation of your asking price should include a buffer to cover the expense of the sale process. Good brokerage takes a 10% success fee off the top of the final sale price. Professional consultations can also represent a significant expense during the course of an internet advertising business sale. Furthermore, your time has value, so you may need to include a personal compensation consideration in your expense estimates.

What to Expect in an Internet Advertising Business Sale

It's impossible to predict the emotional highs and lows you will experience during the sale of your internet advertising business. Many sellers experience discouragement during a long sale process. Although it isn't easy, you can mitigate the emotional impact of an internet advertising business sale by setting realistic expectations before you list your business.

Selling an Internet Advertising Business to an Employee

Although it may seem easier to sell your internet advertising business to an employee, this approach also has some pitfalls. A key employee may seem like a natural sales prospect. The time and expense of locating the right buyer will be nonexistent and you won't have to spend weeks showing the buyer every square inch of the company. But in many cases, employees expect to get a deal from their employer based on their years of service to the company. Seller financing is one way to get around the capital deficit of an employee-based internet advertising business sale, as long as you are willing to vet the employee's credit worthiness the same as any other buyer.

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