Niche Exit Planning Tactics

Selling a Web Site Developers Business

Over the past few years, the web site developers business market has been exceptionally volatile. Sellers have adapted their strategies to accommodate changing market realities, incorporating a handful of proven techniques for selling a web site developers business during challenging economic times.

Like it or not, a web site developers business sale is a complicated affair, made even more difficult by the emotions associated with leaving a business you've poured your life into. In our experience, a common owner concern is how the sale will affect customers and employees.

If your exit strategy involves selling a web site developers business now, sellers need to make a strong case for buyers to purchase at or near the asking price.

Preparing Family Members

Many sellers embarked on their web site developers business sale without adequately considering the impact it will have on their families. In many cases, we find that even though business owners are equipped to handle their ownership exit, their family members are having a hard time letting go of the business, especially if family life has revolved around the demands of the web site developers business. The sale of the business will likely result in new family dynamics. Subsequently, selling a web site developers business has to include ample communication and shared decision-making.

Tips for Seller Financing

Capital is hard to come by these days. Banks and other lending institutions aren't eager to lend to unproven and undercapitalized web site developers business buyers regardless of the business's potential. Rather than abandon their plans entirely, many buyers are pursuing finance concessions from sellers. It's common for sellers to finance as much as 70% of the purchase price with a payoff period of four or five years, sometimes in the form of a balloon payment at the end of the repayment period.

Working with Accountants

Accountants come into play at several stages of the sale process. Most web site developers business have significant tax consequences requiring the input of a qualified accountant. Brokers often advise their clients to have an accountant perform an audit of the business prior to sale. With seller financing becoming common, professional accountants are playing a more central role in negotiations and buyer qualification.

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