subject: Want To Buy Websites Even Before They Are Listed? Here Are Some Tips [print this page] Visiting marketplaces like Digital Point's forum and Flippa.com may be the logical first step when setting out to buy a website. But do you know that there's a way of overtaking all other potential buyers in getting the first shot at a site that you may be interested in? Yes, there is, and that's by purchasing websites privately. Keep in mind that the main intention of being able to buy websites even before they are listed publicly isn't to get a huge discount (although that's also a possibility), but more of being able to scout out potentially good sites ahead of other buyers.
Say for example you get a non-public offer to buy a 5,000-dollar website. While this could still cost you a pretty penny, it will probably be the lowest price you can find if the site is really worth it. If the owner were to publicly list this site at Flippa.com, other website flippers would also be able to determine its money making capability, and this could pull the price higher and higher. Even if the site owner were willing to fix the Buy It Now price at $5,000, hundreds of other interested buyers may beat you to actually purchasing it.
Keep in mind though, that you don't receive these types of private offers from just out of the blue. Having a solid network is crucial to opening such possibilities. In website flipping, it's not only important to know what you're doing, it's just as vital to reach out to the right people, site sellers and buyers alike. While learning how to network would require an entirely separate article, there are still some tips you can start with to find these coveted private websites.
Your first step would still be to pay a visit to marketplaces like Flippa.com. Browse through the listings found there and try to find the following revealing signs that may hint that a seller has multiple sites for sale such as when a seller outright declares this fact in the description, when a seller mentions having "too many sites to handle" as one reason for selling a website, or when it is noted that the seller is also working on other projects. Regardless of how you pick out a seller who may have more than one site to sell, be certain of that seller's legitimacy and credibility.
The moment you find a reputable seller with one quality site, possibly more, up for sale, it's time to take the next step, and that is to send the seller a private message. Take the time to draft a personal message introducing yourself and politely asking about other websites he may have available. The message need not be lengthy but you do have to project yourself as a reliable site flipper, and not a spammer.
When you send discreet, personalized messages, there is a 90% chance of the seller getting back to you with a reply. If you're in luck, he may actually consider selling to you privately, or at the very least, the seller can inform you what type of sites he's selling so you can add him to your Flippa seller watchlist for timely updates in case he decides to sell another site or two.
Don't limit yourself to sellers who are selling websites at this time. Use this same plan even with site owners who were able to sell sites only recently or even those who had unsold sites. By doing this, you would have access to more sellers and gain chances of being able to buy websites which aren't publicly listed.
