On the last Unexpected Journey Podcast, we heard the intriguing story of Ray Preston, VP of Sales at Flippa. Ray leads an extraordinary team of M&A professionals with a singular goal in mind: to match high-quality digital business owners with acquisition-fit buyers. But what exactly is this newer way of buying and selling businesses?

Today’s digital age has evolved the concept of buying and selling businesses significantly. Traditional brick-and-mortar establishments are no longer the sole focus of entrepreneurial endeavors. Instead, the world has witnessed the rise of online businesses, and platforms like Flippa have emerged as game-changers in the world of online business transactions.

What do these platforms actually DO?

These businesses serve as an online marketplace that specialize in buying and selling online businesses, websites, and digital assets. Only around for about 15 years, this innovative platform has played a pivotal role in facilitating the exchange of online properties, creating opportunities for both buyers and sellers worldwide.

The marketplace is incredibly diverse, featuring a wide range of digital assets. These include e-commerce stores, content websites, mobile apps, domain names, and even SaaS (Software as a Service) businesses. Basically, a one-stop shop for anyone looking to enter the digital entrepreneurship space or expand their online portfolio.

The Process of Buying and Selling 

These businesses offer a pretty straightforward and user-friendly process for both buyers and sellers, including:

• Detailed listings of their online businesses, providing comprehensive information about their assets, financial performance, traffic metrics, and growth potential.
• Sellers can choose between auction-style listings or fixed-price listings. Auctions often generate competitive bidding, while fixed-price listings offer a more predictable sale.
• Buyers can perform due diligence by reviewing the seller’s information, and financials, and asking questions about the business.
• Secure payment options to ensure that transactions are safe and efficient.
• Once the sale is finalized, the marketplace assists in transferring the assets and offers guidance to ensure a smooth transition for the buyer.

The Outlook for Online Business Marketplaces

The projection for online marketplaces is undoubtedly promising, as contributed to enticing factors such as:

• Growth of Online Entrepreneurship: The pandemic undoubtedly accelerated the shift toward online businesses. More entrepreneurs are looking to enter the digital space each day, making these platforms much more relevant.
• Global Reach: The global presence means that it connects buyers and sellers from around the world. This broad reach increases the diversity of available assets and potential buyers, enhancing the platform’s appeal.
• Entrepreneurial Ecosystem: These platforms contribute to the broader entrepreneurial ecosystem by enabling individuals to explore various online business opportunities. This not only encourages innovation but also drives economic growth.

These online marketplaces are at the forefront of the digital revolution, simplifying the process of buying and selling online businesses. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, marketplace platforms are well-positioned to thrive, making the outlook for businesses in this niche exceptionally promising worldwide.

Anne Bibb, Co-Founder & COO of Ethos Support, Founder & CEO of Remote Evolution, Co-Founder of Your CoHort, and host of the insightful Unexpected Journey™ Podcast, has shaped an extraordinary career that drives innovation, remote work strategies, and fosters exceptional experiences. Her name is prominently featured in distinguished industry reports including Onalytica’s Who’s Who in Future of Work report, 2023 Top 50 Remote Innovators, and CX Network’s 2023 CX Influencers report.