Buying an established business means risk management, due diligence and ultimately a ton of headache.
On the other hand, selling a business means dealing with annoying prospects, financing, paperwork and negotiation.
If you want to make digital business acquisition process smooth, it’s time to contact a brokerage specialized in the acquisition of online businesses.
This article will round up the 7 best online business brokers and highlight unique features, expertise, and the services each offers so that you can make an informed decision.
Our Shortlist For The Top Business Brokers
Flippa
Flippa is among the trailblazers of online brokerage services, especially in the digital and e-commerce space.
Since 2009, Flippa has facilitated over 300,000+ business exits, websites, and various digital assets while serving more than 3M clients worldwide.
These numbers speak for themselves and prove why this online marketplace for selling and buying businesses should be your top choice.
What sets Flippa apart are its expansive and diverse listings. You can find anything from a small website to large a ecommerce business. So, regardless of your budget or industry preference, it’s very likely that at least a couple of business or digital assets listed on Flippa will match your criteria.
In terms of value, businesses sold through Flippa range widely, meaning that there are those with the asking price set at $20,000 as well as those valued at millions of dollars. So, the platform caters to both small-scale entrepreneurs and high-end investors.
User Friendly Interface
An intuitive search function lets buyers filter listings by industry, revenue, and location, making the search process streamlined and efficient.
Plus, there are detailed insights on each listing, including financials, traffic data, and operational details, providing potential buyers with the insights they need to make informed decisions.
Finally, Flippa boasts a robust system for verifying the authenticity of listings and safeguarding the interests of both buyers and sellers. Besides that, the platform offers legal services packages, due diligence, financing, and a broker program.
Empire Flippers
Empire Flippers pairs technological efficiency with a personalized touch.
Renowned for their meticulous vetting process, Empire Flippers has facilitated over $450M worth online business exits, including Amazon Associates, ecommerce business, and affiliate websites.
Dubbed the No. 1 curated online marketplace, Empire Flippers prioritizes quality over quantity.
Unlike platforms with an overwhelming number of listings, Empire Flippers emphasizes the importance of brokering the acquisition of high-quality, profitable businesses to qualified buyers. This rigorous vetting procedure ensures that every business listed on their platform is legitimate, profitable, and ready for a smooth exit.
This selective approach appeals to buyers who are looking for established, high-performing businesses and want to minimize their risk.
With a number of expert advisors ready to support you on your business acquisition journey, you can be sure the ownership migration process will be quick and safe.
Fe International
Regardless if you’re looking to invest in a mid-market SaaS, a content or ecommerce business, Fe International has the product for you.
They’re a renowned online business broker for six-figure acquisitions.
With over $50B in lifetime acquisitions, an almost 95% success rate and more than 1,500 businesses brokered, this platform delivers on its promises to qualified buyers and sellers.
The brokering process begins with a 360-degree overview of the business in question, showing vitals such as website traffic, growth potential, or financial performance will help you make an informed data-driven decision.
However, that’s not all there is, since Fe International offers much more than just detailed data. The selling process is about a guided, well-organized journey towards acquisition.
Their advisors are not just facilitators either. They are experienced guides who will ensure that the information is not only transparent but also strategically presented. Such guidance is exactly what you need to navigate the complexities of buying a business.
Quiet Light
Quiet Light is another mid-market-oriented business online broker. What sets them apart from their competitors is a team of experts who have bought and sold their own online businesses and have a wealth of experience in the industry.
The person who will help you buy or sell a business knows the ins and outs of the online marketplace, meaning that you’ll have all the support you need to plan and execute your acquisition and exit strategy.
The fact that 85% of their listings sell within only three months testifies to the quality of this platform. Also, the first step of the vetting process includes a detailed 25-point checklist used to determine if a business is sellable.
Quite Light has helped sell 750 businesses, which translates to $500M in total transactional value in the ecommerce business, SaaS businesses and others in the digital space.
You can browse their offer or register and get notifications about new listings in your email.
Bizbuysell
Another business broker that you might want to consider is Bizbuysell, one of the largest and most active marketplaces for online businesses.
Bizbuysell is not just a website broker. Going beyond just digital business models, they have over 65,000 online businesses listed on their platform including franchises and real estate to match your affinities and budget.
The website itself is very user-friendly, as it comes with different filters so that you can browse by industry, location, price, and revenue to find the right deal.
Bizbuysell understands that both selling and buying a business can be challenging, particularly for first-timers, which is why there’s a library of helpful tools and resources. The Buyer Learning Center helps you understand what your options are, choose the right business, make an offer, find financing options, and finally, close the deal.
As a user, you’ll also get access to a network of reputable consultants who will assist you throughout the process.
Thanks to facilitating 100,000+ successful sales, Bizbuysell has solidified a reputation for being a trusted and reliable business broker, and numerous positive reviews from happy customers emphasize the platform’s exceptional customer experience.
Website Closers
Founded back in 1998, Website Closers has assisted in selling 2,300+ digital businesses, resulting in transactions valued at more than $2.2B.
At any one time, their listings might include an ecommerce business, Amazon FBA, SaaS, affiliate, e-learning, or a digital marketing firm. They have digital business models to cater to every buyer.
In addition to the standard services business brokers offer to prospective buyers, Website Closers introduced the Business Buyer’s Club, a membership that comes with a tailored, comprehensive onboarding process led by seasoned M&A experts.
The support team, including a dedicated concierge desk and experienced brokers, collaborates to create a personalized plan suited to your abilities and needs. This VIP approach includes lender pre-qualification, certification as a vetted buyer, personalized search assistance, and expert brokerage guidance for closing a deal.
Acquisitions Direct
Focused on 12-18 high-quality listings at a time, Acquisitions Direct is a boutique brokerage company of internet businesses.
As a leading M&A specialist that focuses exclusively on online business sales, they have more than 20 years of expertise in the field of mergers and acquisitions, ranging between $250k and $30M. Each of their brokers has a lot of practical experience building and selling their own web-based business.
With a 92% closing percentage in 2023, Acquisitions Direct is a group of skilled intermediaries who earned their spot on this list of business brokers. Despite exclusively representing sellers, not buyers, Acquisitions Direct maintains a network of happy returning buyers, some of whom have purchased 10+ businesses.
Regardless of your role in the process, you can rest assured that you’ll get a top-notch service.
It’s also worth mentioning that the company handles the entire sales process, from the initial valuation to the post-purchase assistance.
What To Look For In A Good Business Broker
When looking for a good business brokers to facilitate the entire process of selling a business, it’s important to consider a variety of features and qualifications to ensure a smooth and successful transaction.
Here are key features to look for:
1. Experience and Track Record: Seek a broker with extensive experience in selling businesses similar to yours in size and industry. An ecommerce business broker might not be the best for dealing a mobile apps business. A broker with a proven track record of successful sales can navigate the complexities of the process efficiently.
2. Industry Knowledge: A broker who understands your specific industry can more accurately value your business, communicate its strengths to potential buyers, and identify suitable prospects.
3. Professional Credentials: Look for brokers who have professional credentials such as being a member of industry associations like the International Business Brokers Association (IBBA). Credentials often indicate a commitment to ethical standards and continuous education.
4. Marketing Skills: Effective marketing is crucial in attracting the right buyers. A good broker should have a comprehensive marketing plan that includes listing your business on relevant platforms, leveraging their network, and confidentiality managing information dissemination.
5. Negotiation Skills: The ability to negotiate effectively is crucial in achieving the best possible outcome. Your broker should have a strong track record of negotiating favorable terms for their clients.
6. Confidentiality: Maintaining confidentiality is essential in the business sale process. A good broker knows how to market your business without disclosing sensitive information until necessary and appropriate safeguards are in place.
7. Communication: Regular updates and clear communication from your broker are vital throughout the process. Choose someone who is responsive and willing to keep you informed at every step of the deal flow.
8. Network and Resources: A broker with a wide network can significantly increase the chances of finding the right buyer and the best deal multiple. Access to resources like valuation experts, lawyers, and accountants can be beneficial, and complex deals like including multiple buyers becomes possible.
9. Personal Fit: It’s important that you feel comfortable working with your broker team. Look for someone who understands your goals and with whom you have good chemistry. The synergy business brokers can offer is especially important for first time buyers.
10. Fee Structure: Understand their fee structure upfront. Most website brokers work on a commission basis, paid at the sale’s closing. Ensure their fees are reasonable and competitive.
Should You Hire A Business Broker?
You may be thinking about pursuing a business acquisition on your own, without the assistance of a broker or advisor. A personal approach can offer some advantages:
- Cost Savings: By bypassing intermediaries, you can save on the fees or commissions that would otherwise be payable to brokers or advisors. These savings can be significant, especially for larger transactions.
- Direct Negotiations: Direct engagement with the seller can foster a clearer understanding of the business’s nuances, potentially leading to more informed decision-making and a deal structure that better meets your objectives.
- Personal Satisfaction: Successfully navigating the complexities of a business acquisition can provide a profound sense of achievement and a deepened understanding of the business you’re acquiring.
But here’s the rub. Unless you’re an expert negotiator, it’s highly risky to go about it on your own. In the long run, it’s usually well worth the initial investment to hire an outside expert if not to manage the whole transaction, then for support.
Here are some disadvantages of managing the acquisition process yourself:
- Time and Effort: Acquiring a business involves a steep learning curve and a considerable investment of time and effort. From initial research to due diligence, negotiations, and finalizing the transaction, the process can be daunting without prior experience.
- Access to Deals: Without the network and resources of a broker or advisor, finding the right acquisition opportunities can be more challenging. Brokers often have access to a wide range of listings, some of which may not be publicly advertised.
- Complexity: The acquisition process involves various complexities, including legal, financial, and operational considerations. Navigating these aspects without professional guidance can increase the risk of overlooking critical issues that could impact the success of the acquisition.
- Negotiation and Valuation: Effectively negotiating the purchase price and terms requires a solid understanding of business valuation and negotiation techniques. Without experience, there’s a risk of overpaying for the business or agreeing to unfavorable terms.
Just hire a broker to manage the entire process. It’s much easier that way.
Your Turn
The buying or selling process of an online business is a huge undertaking for any business owner. It requires a great deal of planning, running background checks, and preparing all the documents.
Otherwise, you can face a number of risks and pitfalls along the way, such as not achieving the maximum price for your business or failing to properly assess the financial statements of a business you want to acquire.
That’s why you should protect yourself by enlisting the help of one of the online business brokers from our list, as they have the knowledge, skills, experience, and network to ensure everything is done by the book.