Several platforms are well-suited for selling turnkey websites, each with its own strengths depending on your goals, audience, and type of website. Here are the top options based on current trends and functionality:
- Flippa
- Why it’s good: Flippa is one of the largest and most established marketplaces for buying and selling websites, including turnkey sites. It has a global audience of buyers, from new entrepreneurs to seasoned investors, and supports various niches (e.g., e-commerce, affiliate, SaaS).
- Features: Offers auctions, classified listings, and “Buy It Now” options. You can sell everything from starter sites to fully operational businesses. Flippa also provides valuation tools and escrow services for secure transactions.
- Best for: Sellers looking for a broad audience and flexibility in pricing. Ideal for both low-cost turnkey sites and premium businesses.
- Considerations: Competition can be high, so your listing needs to stand out with clear financials and a compelling description. Fees include a listing fee (starting at $29) and a success fee (3-15% depending on the sale).
- Empire Flippers
- Why it’s good: Known for vetting listings thoroughly, Empire Flippers focuses on profitable, high-quality websites, which can include turnkey sites with established revenue. It’s trusted by serious buyers, giving sellers credibility.
- Features: Handles migrations, offers a dedicated sales team, and ensures transparency with verified traffic and revenue data. They focus on businesses valued at $20,000+, but turnkey sites with potential can qualify.
- Best for: Sellers with turnkey sites that have some revenue or growth potential, targeting professional investors.
- Considerations: Strict vetting means not all sites qualify, and their commission (up to 15%) is higher than some platforms. Best for established turnkey businesses rather than bare-bones starter sites.
- Motion Invest
- Why it’s good: Specializes in content-based and affiliate turnkey websites, often appealing to buyers looking for sites with growth potential. They offer a streamlined process and fair valuations.
- Features: Transparent pricing, quick sales (often within weeks), and a focus on niche sites. They also provide buyer coaching, which attracts newbies willing to buy turnkey sites.
- Best for: Sellers of affiliate or blog-style turnkey websites in evergreen niches (e.g., health, tech, finance).
- Considerations: Less suited for e-commerce or complex businesses. Their marketplace is smaller than Flippa’s, so buyer reach may be limited.
- Shopify Exchange
- Why it’s good: Specifically for selling Shopify-based turnkey e-commerce stores, including dropshipping sites. Since Shopify powers many turnkey businesses, this is a natural fit for reaching buyers in that ecosystem.
- Features: Integrated with Shopify, it allows sellers to list stores with verified data (e.g., sales, traffic). Buyers can browse stores by niche, price, or business model.
- Best for: Sellers of Shopify dropshipping or e-commerce turnkey sites, especially those with trendy products or niches.
- Considerations: Limited to Shopify stores, so it’s not ideal for other platforms like WordPress or custom-built sites. Fees vary, but Shopify takes a cut of the sale.
- Etsy
- Why it’s good: A niche option for selling smaller, customizable turnkey website templates or fully built sites, often marketed as digital products. It’s popular with creative entrepreneurs and DIY buyers.
- Features: Low listing fees ($0.20 per listing), access to a creative audience, and the ability to sell PLR (Private Label Rights) or pre-designed sites.
- Best for: Sellers offering low-cost, visually appealing turnkey templates or niche blogs for hobbyists or small-scale buyers.
- Considerations: Not ideal for high-value or complex businesses. Buyers may expect lower prices, and competition with other digital products is high.
- eBay
- Why it’s good: A general marketplace with a massive audience, eBay is still used for selling turnkey websites, especially starter sites or niche blogs at lower price points.
- Features: Simple listing process, auction or fixed-price options, and global reach. Good for quick sales to budget-conscious buyers.
- Best for: Sellers of inexpensive turnkey sites targeting newbies or bargain hunters.
- Considerations: eBay’s reputation for turnkey sites can be mixed due to low-quality listings in the past. You’ll need to build trust with detailed listings. Fees include listing costs and a final value fee (around 10-13%).
- Niche-Specific Marketplaces
- Platforms like Brandafy, Dropobo, or Human Proof Designs cater to specific types of turnkey sites (e.g., dropshipping, affiliate marketing). These are smaller but highly targeted, connecting you with buyers in your niche.
- Best for: Sellers with specialized turnkey sites who want to reach a focused audience.
- Considerations: Limited reach compared to Flippa or Empire Flippers, and some platforms charge upfront fees.
Tips for Choosing a Platform
- Match your site’s value: Low-cost starter sites do well on eBay or Etsy, while revenue-generating sites shine on Empire Flippers or Flippa.
- Know your buyer: Newbies often browse eBay or Shopify Exchange, while experienced investors prefer Flippa or Motion Invest.
- Optimize your listing: Regardless of the platform, provide clear details—traffic stats, revenue (if any), niche potential, and what’s included (e.g., domain, hosting, content). Transparency builds trust.
- Consider fees: Factor in listing fees, success fees, and escrow costs when pricing your site.
- Avoid scams: Use platforms with escrow services (like Flippa or Empire Flippers) to ensure secure transactions.
My Recommendation
If you’re selling a turnkey website with some revenue or growth potential, Flippa is the most versatile choice due to its large buyer base and flexible listing options. For Shopify-based e-commerce sites, Shopify Exchange is a no-brainer. If you’re targeting a niche audience with a content site, Motion Invest or Human Proof Designs could be better fits. For quick, low-cost sales, eBay or Etsy work, but you’ll need to manage buyer expectations carefully.
