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Need Help - Someone offered to buy my business domain (6-figs!)

Empires

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Someone through Godaddy's domain broker service offered to buy my business's domain and I am indecisive on if I should consider it.

Their initial offer was only for $1000, and I told them they would need to pay a lot more than that as I use this domain for my business.

They said the buyer is very interested even if the price is a lot higher.

I wouldn't be willing to change my business name, but I could just buy a variation of my business name domain and continue using the same business name.

But I have issues I am worried about.

What will happen to my current SEO?

What if the buyer is in the same industry as me? Trademark issues?

What about my existing customers looking for my website?

I am not sure if it is worth considering even for like $40,000 given the potential issues, even though $40,000 would be great right now.

My business will do about $150,000 in sales this year.

Anybody ever been in a situation like this?
 
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daddykins

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What will happen to my current SEO?
- Will be gone. Unless you have all your links switched to your new domain. Depends how much SEO you've done for it to be worth it.

What if the buyer is in the same industry as me? Trademark issues?
- As long as their trademark is different than yours, shouldn't be a problem as it's just a domain.

What about my existing customers looking for my website?
- Nothing you can do about that. If your site is autoempires.com and I am looking for you, some might type in autoempires.com, or they'll search auto empires in Google. If your SEO is better on your new domain, then you'll show up first on Google for "auto empires", but for those old clients who are typing the URL autoempires.com will be visiting your competitor.


Feel free to PM me the URL and I'll give you my honest opinion. But don't rush too much. He only offered $1k for it, you don't know his budget. Could be low to not even be worth considering.
 

Empires

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What will happen to my current SEO?
- Will be gone. Unless you have all your links switched to your new domain. Depends how much SEO you've done for it to be worth it.

What if the buyer is in the same industry as me? Trademark issues?
- As long as their trademark is different than yours, shouldn't be a problem as it's just a domain.

What about my existing customers looking for my website?
- Nothing you can do about that. If your site is autoempires.com and I am looking for you, some might type in autoempires.com, or they'll search auto empires in Google. If your SEO is better on your new domain, then you'll show up first on Google for "auto empires", but for those old clients who are typing the URL autoempires.com will be visiting your competitor.


Feel free to PM me the URL and I'll give you my honest opinion. But don't rush too much. He only offered $1k for it, you don't know his budget. Could be low to not even be worth considering.
Thanks for the feedback. I wouldnt take anything less than $20k honestly. The domain is not some high value domain. But the buyer seems to have some attachment to this specific domain. I just don't know if it is worth the hassle.

The broker said the buyer is willing to pay a lot more and that the 1k was just their initial offer.
 

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Check to see if your domain name is currently being trademarked as a brand name.... that might be a way to kick you out of your own domain.
 
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Empires

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Check to see if your domain name is currently being trademarked as a brand name.... that might be a way to kick you out of your own domain.
Only 1 trademark for my domain name and it is in a different trademark classification. It is trademarked for specific type of software.
 
D

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This is a good sign. It means that your business is getting attention.
A few months ago a competitor reached out to me and wanted to partner. I would have given up control so I didn't do it.
 
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Empires

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Just spoke to the broker who said the buyer is willing to pay up to six figures..

I told him my main concern is why the buyer wants this domain bad and what industry the buyer is in. If the buyer is in the same industry as me then it is not an option as I am not willing to change my business name.

He said he is going to speak to the buyer and see if they are willing to disclose their industry.
 
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becks22

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Just spoke to the broker who said the buyer is willing to pay up to six figures..

I told him my main concern is why the buyer wants this domain bad and what industry the buyer is in. If the buyer is in the same industry as me then it is not an option as I am not willing to change my business name.

He said he is going to speak to the buyer and see if they are willing to disclose their industry.

Is your domain exactly you business name or just similar? 100K is a large chunk of change and if he isn't in the same industry, that could be a lot of extra money to have.

Is your domain a brandable word(s)? For example, if you sell software is it like OrangeSoftware.com or something like OrangeMonkeys.com (memorable but isn't industry specific)? Just trying to find out why he wants this particular domain so bad. ....
 

Empires

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Is your domain exactly you business name or just similar? 100K is a large chunk of change and if he isn't in the same industry, that could be a lot of extra money to have.

Is your domain a brandable word(s)? For example, if you sell software is it like OrangeSoftware.com or something like OrangeMonkeys.com (memorable but isn't industry specific)? Just trying to find out why he wants this particular domain so bad. ....
My domain is my business name + (business name)usa.com. The name is very brandable and gets compliments all the time. The person who owns the actual (businessname).com wants over 200k for it.

The business name is automotive related, so they are definitely in the same general industry. But if they are a dealership that's fine, because I am in roadside assistance/towing.

It just depends what part of the industry they are in.

100k is definitely a big chunk of change that would make a huge difference for my business, but I am weary of why he wants it so bad and doesn't just choose a different name or variation of it.
 

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If the business does $150,000 in sales, consider selling for $1,500,000 betting you 10 years worth of work.
or shoot for 7 years with a fixed royalty of your choice on any future sales.

Selling is up to you. But if you decide to sell for 10k, I've got a bridge you may be intertested in.
 
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My domain is my business name + (business name)usa.com. The name is very brandable and gets compliments all the time. The person who owns the actual (businessname).com wants over 200k for it.

The business name is automotive related, so they are definitely in the same general industry. But if they are a dealership that's fine, because I am in roadside assistance/towing.

It just depends what part of the industry they are in.

100k is definitely a big chunk of change that would make a huge difference for my business, but I am weary of why he wants it so bad and doesn't just choose a different name or variation of it.
so for example your domain is
autoautousa.com

and his domain is
auto.com?

I'm also confused why somebody would pay such an amount
 

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If it’s got USA on the end and he’s offering 6 figures I’d seriously think about selling

Plenty of other ways to add a variation to a domain

USAbrandname.com
Getbrandname
Trybrandname
Shopbrandname.com

If your business is built entirely on backlinks and seo traffic maybe not but 100k could be a lot to rebrand and rank with.

Would you sell the whole business? Maybe that’s an option too.

If you plan to sell the business in the future keeping the domain might be something to consider if you think it would add more than 100k to the value.

It’s hard to know what to do especially with a number like that, sometimes when opportunities like this come up it’s easier to just focus on what your plans were before and just forget the opportunity existed.

What a hard decision, maybe use MJs decision matrix

It sounds like you have plans for the money so you can definitely factor the results of spending that money on growth vs keeping the domain.
 

Empires

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If it’s got USA on the end and he’s offering 6 figures I’d seriously think about selling

Plenty of other ways to add a variation to a domain

USAbrandname.com
Getbrandname
Trybrandname
Shopbrandname.com

If your business is built entirely on backlinks and seo traffic maybe not but 100k could be a lot to rebrand and rank with.

Would you sell the whole business? Maybe that’s an option too.

If you plan to sell the business in the future keeping the domain might be something to consider if you think it would add more than 100k to the value.

It’s hard to know what to do especially with a number like that, sometimes when opportunities like this come up it’s easier to just focus on what your plans were before and just forget the opportunity existed.

What a hard decision, maybe use MJs decision matrix

It sounds like you have plans for the money so you can definitely factor the results of spending that money on growth vs keeping the domain.
Yeah there is plenty of variations I can use to still continue using the business name. The business isn't built on backlinks and seo at all. The only seo I have is that now after a year in business I am ranked #2 on google for my own business name. But that's without having done any actual seo. It just happened organically.

I wouldn't sell the whole business, and I don't think they are interested in that. I have much bigger plans than selling out now for $100k.

I would like to one day get the domain name that is just brandname.com. But with the owner of that domain wanting 200k that is going to be awhile from now.

With $100k, I would be able to get the business profitable within the next month or so because I'd be able to pay off some equipment loans and start profiting 7-10k per month. Without the $100k, I'll still be profitable within the next 2-3 months but it'll only be a few thousand a month. I'd also be able to quit my job and go full time with the business a lot faster too since it'll be more profitable.

I had to carry some balances on credit cards and have a few equipment loans, so being able to pay those off would open up all my cash flow with around 30k left over still to continue to scale, possibly even purchasing a second truck.

It definitely opens up a lot of opportunities, but like you said, I am still just focusing on my business. Regardless of whether this goes through or not it doesn't change anything. It doesn't make a difference to me because it's just an event and not the end goal. The end goal with this business is a lot bigger than one lump sum of $100k.
 
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Empires

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The buyer disclosed that they are starting a online platform similar to auto trader for dealerships to sell cars, so not in the same industry as me at all.

Sounds well funded too. Now I am starting to lean in the other direction.
 

Martin.G

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How many sales do you get from organic search? If it's none, the SEO of the domain doesn't matter. You don't have any transactional keyword bringing revenue. Otherwise, I don't think sell it is a good thing. You have to start all over again, and SEO takes time.

You can say the same for sales from direct traffic, people who type the URL and buy your product/service. Furthermore, you have to tell everyone that you change the URL, and could be an issue and a wasted of time.

If you are growing, he has to pay a lot of money (everything business has a price). That is something you have to think watching the website's analytics.
 

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sell them the entire business and have an 'exit' under your belt.

then take half the capital and start a new business w/ an experienced business leader with an exit at the helm.
 
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BizyDad

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The buyer disclosed that they are starting a online platform similar to auto trader for dealerships to sell cars, so not in the same industry as me at all.
Sounds great. But talk is cheap.

Get it in writing. Maybe go so far as signing a mutual non-compete. (I'm not a lawyer, but talk to one.)
 

Empires

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Sounds great. But talk is cheap.

Get it in writing. Maybe go so far as signing a mutual non-compete. (I'm not a lawyer, but talk to one.)
Agreed, good idea. I think given our identical names a non compete is definitely necessary.
 

Empires

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sell them the entire business and have an 'exit' under your belt.

then take half the capital and start a new business w/ an experienced business leader with an exit at the helm.
Honestly, I wouldn't sell this business for $500k right now.

It has so much more potential than that. I haven't even scratched the surface yet.
 
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Something seems off. First, they offered $1000, then the broker says they would pay six figures? Seems like alot of talk or that the broker is really bad.

Six figures for a domain is usa.com at the end is alot of money. They are overpaying.

You said you wouldn't take less than $20k, and now the number is $100k and you are on the fence?

Your business isn't profitable yet. Think of how long and how much work it would take you to make $100k. That's one year's worth of hardwork. Versus selling and simply registering a new brand name and informing customers.

Think about it. You could do what you are doing now for 1 year to make $100k. Or sell, rebrand and make XXX + $100k in one year.

You should be insta-selling at $100k, but I feel like the offer is too good to be true. Be sure to use an escrow company that YOU choose and hire.
 

Empires

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Something seems off. First, they offered $1000, then the broker says they would pay six figures? Seems like alot of talk or that the broker is really bad.

Six figures for a domain is usa.com at the end is alot of money. They are overpaying.

You said you wouldn't take less than $20k, and now the number is $100k and you are on the fence?

Your business isn't profitable yet. Think of how long and how much work it would take you to make $100k. That's one year's worth of hardwork. Versus selling and simply registering a new brand name and informing customers.

Think about it. You could do what you are doing now for 1 year to make $100k. Or sell, rebrand and make XXX + $100k in one year.

You should be insta-selling at $100k, but I feel like the offer is too good to be true. Be sure to use an escrow company that YOU choose and hire.
Well thats the thing, the domain isn't a high value domain so they probably figured they could get it for cheap.

I agree though, it does feel off and they'd be over paying like crazy. I am not on the fence because of $100k, I'd take the $100k in a heart beat.

The potential trademark issues were what still had me on the fence, if they were in the same industry that is. If they buy it they are definitely crazy, but I will take the money if they want it that bad.

Waiting to hear back from the broker again.
 

Empires

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Okay so update...

I told them I wanted $115k for the domain, and they just got back to me and said the buyer is willing to pay $85k.

For a domain I got for $10 a year ago! I am on cloud 9000. This is basically a free investment into my company that will easily help me double or triple my business next year.

Going to try to counter at $100k, but I will take $85k either way.

I did more digging into the company that is buying the domain from me, they have some serious funding behind them. They have been developing this platform they are building since January 2019 and aren't launching until the end of the year. They have a CEO, COO, CTO, CPO, every C_O you can imagine lol.
 
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I had a very big offer for a domain once, upon a time, from a very large energy company and competitor. Young and egotistical 23 year old Kak told them to shove their offer and also that I was going to buy their multi-billion dollar company some day just to shut them down.

Lol, I never did. :rofl:

I still own the domain and I would love a new G Wagon for it now. I’m glad you’re giving it some consideration.
 

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Okay so update...

I told them I wanted $115k for the domain, and they just got back to me and said the buyer is willing to pay $85k.

For a domain I got for $10 a year ago! I am on cloud 9000. This is basically a free investment into my company that will easily help me double or triple my business next year.

Going to try to counter at $100k, but I will take $85k either way.

I did more digging into the company that is buying the domain from me, they have some serious funding behind them. They have been developing this platform they are building since January 2019 and aren't launching until the end of the year. They have a CEO, COO, CTO, CPO, every C_O you can imagine lol.
counter at $100k OR $85k and a lunch with their team, their choice ... opportunity here
 

Empires

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They officially accepted my $100,000 counter! Feeling very blessed and grateful right now.

This is going to be such a great launch pad for taking my business to the next level. I think a progress thread might be in order..
 
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becks22

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They officially accepted my $100,000 counter! Feeling very blessed and grateful right now.

This is going to be such a great launch pad for taking my business to the next level. I think a progress thread might be in order..

Good for you. That's a lot of cash
 

Empires

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counter at $100k OR $85k and a lunch with their team, their choice ... opportunity here
Definitely an opportunity here... I am going to offer them the rights to my logo and try to develop a relationship with them. I decided to change my brand name just to avoid any trademark issues in the future anyway.

Their current logo is probably just a place holder as it's really basic so I figured I'd offer them the rights to mine, plus it would be really cool to see what they do with their company and if it ends up going somewhere I'd love to see my logo go with it!
 

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