5 Reasons Why Flipping New Sites Is Better Than Keeping Them
Fri, Nov 7, 2008
There’s a whole lot of people who drop comments on website flipping posts in and around the blogosphere that question the basic idea of flipping a new website instead of holding on to it for long term, residual income. I haven’t seen anybody actually answer this yet though, so I’m going to step up and give you solid reasons why it makes sense to build a new site and then flip it immediately.
First of all, it’s important to note that website flipping might not make sense for everyone. You have to be willing to learn how to work fast and/or find ways to save time in order for it to be worth your while on a consistent basis. However, the following should help explain why it does make sense for many of us.
Reason Number 1: Instant Cash
Not everyone is making passive income yet. If you’re not, but you’re looking to start making money online, website flipping is one way that has a pretty level playing field. The great thing abut it is, you can build a site this weekend, sell it, and have the payment in your account on Monday morning.
You typically have to wait anywhere from a week to 2 months for your first affiliate check, depending on the program/network. Why not get cash now while you’re building your affiliate sites and waiting for them to grow into passive income? Nobody ever said it had to be one or the other.
Also, many website flippers have learned to do things methodically, in a way that can bring a steady cash flow in addition to their other online ventures.
Reason Number 2: It’s Easy
I’m not saying that flipping websites in general is simple and there’s no work involved, but compared to building, then marketing a site, and then waiting for sales to come in, it’s easy. I’ve done both successfully, so I’m speaking from experience. When you outline the two options to someone who wants quick results to keep them motivated, website flipping looks a whole lot more enticing (starting out).
Reason Number 3: Reputation
If you want to do business online, you will benefit from earning a good reputation. There are many ways to make money online without having to deal directly with too many people, but chances are that no matter what you do, a solid reputation, referrals, and real testimonials will help you in the long run. Selling websites will earn you public feedback, business associates, and possible testimonials if you need them.
If you’re just starting out, you can get real online business experience through a website sale that you can learn a lot from. Website flipping is a good way to get started, considering that you can potentially make pretty good money while you learn things that you can later apply to other aspects of your online business as it grows.
Reason Number 4: You Don’t Like Marketing
Not everyone likes putting in the extra work that goes into the marketing aspects of a new website, and if you don’t have the money to outsource those tasks, what’s a good way to build up some cash online until you do? Flipping new websites!
Everyone is different and some people like the tasks that go with creating a new site, but their eyes glaze over when they think of working on link building, commenting, seo, and all the other marketing stuff that has to be done after the site has been built. Why not do what you enjoy and then sell them to marketers who don’t like to build sites?
Yes, you need to develop marketing skills such as learning to create a decent auction sales page, but that’s nothing compared to full blown marketing campaigns that lead to passive income. You need to enjoy it at some level.
Reason Number 5: Best Of Both Worlds, Cash Plus Recurring
Here’s the kicker guys. Let’s say you want recurring income and instant cash all from flipping websites. One business model that gives you the best of both worlds. That can be (and is being) done. If you learn how, you would have the best of both worlds, assuming website flipping is something you enjoy.
I say this throughout my posts and I’m going to say it again. Try, learn, and experience things for yourself before you say “they don’t work“, or “they’re bad ideas“. You’re often just putting your foot in your mouth. If you don’t enjoy something, or had bad experiences trying something, then say that instead.
For example, I couldn’t make a living on PPC alone right now if I tried. Does that mean PPC is a bad idea and a business model that doesn’t make sense? No. It means I don’t know what I’m doing yet.
I’ll be expanding beyond only flipping brand new websites, which has been the bulk of Flippin’ Fridays post since they began. Make sure you subscribe via RSS or email to keep up to date!
Cheers!
Jay
Tags: website flipping
November 7th, 2008 at 6:01 am
Another perfectly informative post, Jay.
I think with most peoples experience of wordpress nowadays, number one reson would be ‘Don’t like marketing!’ - given that is is relatively easy to do the build and get the site ready, I think the marketing is where most struggle, therefore why not cash in at this stage?
Personally I find a good balance works for me, some I flip straight away and some I take to “the next level”.
Nota Bene Consultings last blog post..Blogging Presidents, Revolutions & Mergers
November 7th, 2008 at 7:25 am
Wow. Nice tips here again.
good job as always
Desmond - DesmondBlog.coms last blog post..How to Use Videos in Your Websites to Make Big Bucks in Site Flipping
November 7th, 2008 at 8:19 am
A very popular reason for people to flip their websites instead of keeping them is that they’re of no real value. Some people think that they can sell any old rubbish.
There’s no end of trash in the marketplace. People read articles on website flipping and think that all they have to do is slap a nice theme on bad content and that it’s suddenly worth something.
LOL, I’m not holding you responsible J! And not all ‘flippers’ are like this, of course
November 7th, 2008 at 10:23 am
Hey Jay, when you talked about getting a website and doing SEO,link exchanges, and commenting! Been down that road it is a lot of work! Especially Link Building - you have to keep going to the sites to see if they have linked back to you. I Want to Flip site, OH and I will be able to soon I am getting HS!!! Great post , Scotty
November 7th, 2008 at 10:54 am
I would definitely do it for the instant cash. You are right, not everyone is making a passive income but if you can sell a blog for $5,000 and go five months without selling another one that is still $1000 a month.
Franklin Bishops last blog post..Blogging School Now Opened
November 7th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
In addition to the not liking the marketing aspect? There’s always people like me, who simply lose interest after all of the basic tasks have been fulfilled.
Good theme? Check.
Logo up? Check.
Basic content? Check.
Bored now!
WordVixens last blog post..Hey Look- A Contest That I’m Not Sponsoring!
November 7th, 2008 at 5:25 pm
I agree big head! The hard part when building a niche website is to actually market it, rank well in SE and then make money out of it. You know optimizing everything, selling ebooks, etc, etc. If you can just build em and sell em you don’t do the dirty work and you get some quick money!
Again, it depends on the type of websites: I would flip niche websites because you can create 100 of them easily, but if I had a very good idea or something that could become the next twitter of facebook I wouldn’t flip it!
But anyway, that’s not what site flipping is about hehe
And I don’t have that killer idea…Yet
Ben Tremblays last blog post..Offline marketing: I see huge potential
November 7th, 2008 at 5:29 pm
@Nota Bene: That’s what I like to do as well. Mix it up! Glad you liked it.
@Desmond: Thanks dude! Glad you like it.
@Paul: LOL, that’s true man, but I love that there’s constant crap, it makes anything good that I have look that much better! I think I provide pretty good stuff for the price. That’s why I have no problem using the same username everywhere, etc. I also even show my buyers my website flipping posts and talk about it with them sometimes. To me, it’s not a “fast cash lottery ticket”…it’s something I offer of value to marketers.
@Scotty: Good to hear HS is coming. lol. Yeah marketing/buiding a site is a lot of work. As for checking reciprocal links though, there are several ways to automate that for you. Check for scripts that handle that sort of thing. Or, you can save a list and regularly check them all by pasting into a tool like this: Reciprocal Link Checking Tool
@Franklin: Yeah, instant cash is appealing to many. I do it fairly regularly for cash flow at the moment, but I also enjoy it for several reasons. I know you ’sold sites” before…have you ever flipped one “intentionally”?
@WordVixen: LOL @ “bored now”! Awesome step by step. That is me a lot of the time as well, and why selling new sites works for me. It mixes things up a bit.
Cheers Guys!
Jay
November 7th, 2008 at 5:53 pm
I actually flip and keep sites. It basically depends on what I already have and what I no longer want. Great post though. Thanks.
Andrews last blog post..Batch of PR Domains For Sale
November 7th, 2008 at 9:24 pm
Excellent post Jay, very informative. I agree when you say that you need to try things before giving false testimonies about them.
I have tried many things that supposedly “don’t work” and after some experiments they worked for me perfectly…
November 8th, 2008 at 5:02 am
I do enjoy flipping websites, but the problem with flipping new websites is that they are normally limited within a price-range. I really want to try and start up my own site and market it to see what I can get / do, but I’m not all that hot on internet marketiting. Its something I hope to improve on, but of course it will take time.
Id agree though, while you are waiting for other payouts from various marketing ideas, go for the website ‘flip’ - quick (and normally easy) cash!
Dans last blog post..How I Made $150 On My Second Website Sale
November 8th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
Loving this Jay! Last night I was talking with a fellow blogger who doesn’t care for social media, etc. We had a rather lengthy discussion on opportunities for MMO that do not require much social interaction. Blog flipping would definitely be just that!
BrilliantJENIs last blog post..Underdogblog Charity Challenge
November 8th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
The biggest incentive for me is the cash
Being only 15, $1,000 a month extra is a pretty big deal to me, and the pay rate is much better than working at maccas or something - and i work my own hours
Simons last blog post..How To Run An Effective Case Study
November 8th, 2008 at 5:07 pm
How does flipping a site give you recurring income? or do you mean constantly flipping sites…
Dennis Edells last blog post..Are You Able To Focus & Take Action? A 5-Step Plan That WORKS.
November 8th, 2008 at 9:10 pm
Good post Jay. But don’t new sites have zero income and sell for less?
November 9th, 2008 at 3:56 am
@Andrew: Me too! Thanks for coming by man. Hope to see you around more often. I’ll keep an eye on your domain sales.
Mr. Javo: Nice to see you again! Yeah, often all it takes is some tweaking and some more learning (if something’s not working for you). Instead of getting mad and running around screaming stuff sucks and doesn’t work, try to fix what went wrong or try something else.
@Dan: Yeah, if you’re going to flip new sites as a “business model” for long term, you’ll want to set it up as a business with outsources, etc., not grind it out yourself daily/weekly. Thanks for coming by man
@Jeni: Yeah, you basically only have to interact with potential buyers and then the buyer. You don’t have to run 400 social profiles at once like you do. lol…..and you’re only In Beta!
@Dennis: No, I don’t mean “constantly flipping them”, although that would still help increase $$. lol. I’m talking about super ninja tactics use only by those who have studied the Shaolin Flip.
LOL. sorry, I’m tired, I’ll reveal some of the goodness soon buddy. Stick around
Cheers guys! Thanks again for taking the time to comment. It’s appreciated!
Jay
SuiteJs last blog post..5 Reasons Why Flipping New Sites Is Better Than Keeping Them
November 9th, 2008 at 5:31 am
I enjoy the creativity of building a site. Making it look visually appealing basically. I have no plans to flip sites at the moment, but that aspect would appeal to me.
However, since I am in the process of starting up various niche sites, if I end up with a dud that needs some more “love” to compete, I could imagine selling it to someone else who has the time.
Carries last blog post..Too Busy to Write
November 10th, 2008 at 1:03 am
Great post Jay. I do think that you’ve given some interesting ideas and I actually am going to a quick case study on if it’s right for me.
I’m going to write my thoughts on it before I attempt to flip. And then again after I’ve flipped a site.
It should be good
Chris Guthries last blog post..Sunday Link Love v13
November 10th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
Yes kiddies, the Shaolin Flip Techniques taught only by SuiteJ himself. I’m fortunate to be a student of the SuiteJ School Of Shaolin Flip Techniques and it has proved to be very beneficial.
For $3,875 per month YOU TOO can become a Shaolin Flip Master!
lol - I agree with every single point you laid out for obvious reasons, and until I’m dedicated to building my own portfolio and thinking long term, each of those points keep me going every day.
@Simon - $1000 a month is almost guaranteed man. Jay taught me what I know and I made $1021.00 my first month flipping. It was a lot of work, but it was work I did for myself, on my own time.
Elijahs last blog post..President Of The Blogosphere: Vote Now
November 11th, 2008 at 4:27 am
Shaolin Flip Master - thats ol big head!
Talking of ninja tricks…keep your eye open and you just might see the big headed banner. He be coming at you from all directions now!!!!
Nota Bene Consultings last blog post..Blogging Presidents, Revolutions & Mergers
November 12th, 2008 at 7:56 am
I am pretty new to flipping and must say I am enjoying it far more than marketing a site long term.
That being said, I was battling for a while to sell one of my sites that makes a tiny income and has no time input from me….. so I just employed a writer and this gives me time to carry on flipping and build the income up on that site.
Forests last blog post..Time Waits For No One!
November 14th, 2008 at 2:47 am
@Ganesh: For less “than what”? Than a 30 day old site, a six month old? It all depends on stats. If you have a 30 day old site that still has no traffic, revenue, backlinks, etc…you won’t get that much more than a new one. However, the point of the article was just to answer “why anyone would want to sell a new site”. Obviously, building it over long term will get you more money. But, some people like to sell them fast for reasons in the articles.
@Carrie: Hey! I actually forgot that one. Some people might simply have fun designing a site for extra cash and only have interest in the design aspects. Thanks for commenting. Hope to see you around more.
@Chris: I saw your recent flip case study post. Looking forward to it
@Elijah: Haha. Yeah man, some people just want the cash. Nuttin’ wrong with that if you somewhat enjoy it at least. It’s better than working a job you hate, that’s for sure. Thanks for the kind words as well.
@Nota Bene: You saw the big head banner? Cool! I kinda have an exaggerated, Shaolin “Monk Head”. But, that’s where I store all my ideas, so it’s necessary.
@Forest: Cool man. Writing is my weakness - time-wise for flips. I always choose that to outsource first. Sometimes I still write them if it’s a subject I like though.
Cheers guys!
Jay
November 19th, 2008 at 11:24 am
You hit it Jay! There was nothing I could say in opposition to any of your 5 reasons, and they make perfect sense. Way to lay it out there man!
You got me wanting to flip something lol, I know yall keep telling me to get it in lol. We’ll see man. Great post though, man, as usual.
Normal Joes last blog post..Transform Your Thinking-If You Had THIS You’d Be Successful
November 24th, 2008 at 7:23 am
Jay, you are the man, but let me add one more item to your list:
6) Knowledge - I have been flipping sites consistantly for the last few weeks and must say that I have learned a tremendous amount from doing so. I have learned what the marketplace expects, what they like, what sells for more than other things. I am learning negotiation skills in an online environment. I am learning more HTML and PHP coding than before. I am learning graphic design work. I am learning so much that I think I may do a post on what I am learning. LOL!
Point being, there is a lot to learn about building sites and this business as a whole and flipping gives you an opportunity to do those things.
However, my number 1 reason for flipping sites is INSTANT CASH! I didn’t come over here to lie to you. I am doing it for the cash…now!
Bird in the hand is better than two in the bush!