Feedback On These Sites Please

[crabfoot]

As someone who is definitely not "au fait" with SEO, I could not imagine buying a site pertaining to the subject without at least being given a list of persons employed to get the site SEO going - and there's the rub.

If someone knows about SEO, turning out flippable sites on the subject must be a simple and repetitive task that produces revenue. Don't purchasers stop and think how they can compete in the market with sites like these?

If you're selling some kind of Aff products, it is easy enough to find the latest lines and offers to freshen up your site. If you have an SEO advantage, you use it, you don't give it away for a few quid ...

[Wheels]

Thanks for that KenW3. I was suspicious about the domain name but perhaps wrongly used the word "licensing" instead of something more appropriate. Just to be perfectly honest; I am interested in those types of websites - that is if they were as they profess to be and had no DD issues. I thought they may have DD issues and wanted to confirm with guys like you and Clinton. I just had a read of the UDRP link too - interesting. Thanks also for clarifying the SEOmoz thingy.

[KenW3]

Just to be perfectly honest; I am interested in those types of websites - that is if they were as they profess to be and had no DD issues. I thought they may have DD issues and wanted to confirm with guys like you and Clinton. I just had a read of the UDRP link too - interesting. Thanks also for clarifying the SEOmoz thingy.

SEOmoz and SEObook are very worthwhile sources of education. They are sources for expert knowledge, with an experienced group to share what is working and what has stopped working. To be successful making money online, it is always easier to work within groups, as it is not always possible for small businesses to keep track of everything. (Sharing helps everyone in a group.) SEOmoz is focused on SEO and SEM. The software I use to control SEO work for sites is an Excel spreadsheet that separately covers onsite SEO work and offsite SEO activity.

I receive offers (via contact forms) to provide SEO services, but one from a couple days ago stood out. The guy stated his abilities for getting a page 1 G ranking. The message read as a short resume, with personal and professional details, and a website to go to for further information. This guy provided his name, address and phone, and told me exactly what he knows how to do to help (all of which was off-site work only). It was stated as a one-time contact, and if I was interested he could provide examples of and results for his work. For your site A, this person could easily start a new one of those every few months, build sales and customers, offer the site for sale with proven revenue, and continue with a new contact website.

[Wheels]

As someone who is definitely not "au fait" with SEO, I could not imagine buying a site pertaining to the subject without at least being given a list of persons employed to get the site SEO going - and there's the rub.

Agreed - I asked the seller about that for precisely the same reasons; and my comment was deleted and I was told not to ask service/business related questions in the public msg area. Really after that, it was just a lesson in learning for me as I was not going to buy after that. Or even before, as I too was aware of how easy it is to churn out sites like the one I was referring to if you knew SEO. That, plus the fact that there was too much of the seller's business model hanging out in the grey area and without a foundation. Prices for the packages weren't advertised - no doubt to assist with questions related to revenue earnings/deposit amounts and trends. As soon as my questions were appealing seller starts to let you know of the other bids when before the same interest in articulating them wasn't shown. The entire service model was all without a clear process that could be analysed . . . and the list goes on.

Thanks for your feedback Crabfoot - much appreciated.

[Wheels]

For your site A, this person could easily start a new one of those every few months, build sales and customers, offer the site for sale with proven revenue, and continue with a new contact website.

Hey KenW3; Yes I thought as much when I first saw the website sale advertisement at Flippa. I have built designed a few websites myself, worked in large scale smartcard, finance (SAP & Oracle), e-commerce and many other management, contractual and architectural areas of ICT; and pretty much concluded straight away that if you knew how to get a website up/running (which is not that hard really IMO) and were connected with one of the thousands of inexpensive labour/skill groups, websites or forums (via the internet or otherwise) containing SEO experienced people; then you could easily pump the websites you're building (or anything else's) traffic and sales, and then run all that through a Flippa targeted template and hey presto - you have a "career changing Flippa SEO business opportunity" to sell.

I posted another reply to Crabfoot's responses and that details some of the other elements of the deal that set my spider sense tingling, and also the responses I received after I asked questions. Basically, the seller didn't want any serious questions pertaining to his listing asked publicly. That's a big red light to me. I can understand why/how some elements of the sale are private - but questions directly related to the content of the listing - makes me wonder. So, I used it as a learning example. Oh did I mention that there was no prices listed on the website for the packages sold? That was a little concerning as well, as whilst they were offered via PM it still meant the seller had a wide berth when explaining payment/account-deposit trends and amounts. in the end I asked for audited accounts and you can guess where it went from there. And yes, I knew he wouldn't have them, let alone provide them.

Anyway, WRT to all this what I couldn't do is conclusively know if I was right with all my detailed thoughts on the websites I listed. I wanted to know whether the aspects I found alarming where the same as those with more experience than me, and as a result of that I asked for help; hence the post. Also, since I have worked in ICT for so long and been saturated with people that think they know everything (when they don't) I learnt a long time ago and always consider it a valuable exercise to define what you don't know up front and then seek the advice of those that do on that. Personally, I find it to be a very simple and effective way to learn because if you are prepared to admit where you're short of knowledge and approach someone about it, then so long as you do it the right way; you can learn a hell of a lot more in 1/10th the time; as opposed to trial and error and reading alone or combined.

Problem (for most people I work with) is; they simply aren't all prepared to think about and admit what they may not know, let alone seek help about it. Still, I appreciate there are many that do.

Thanks for your help and post.

What did you think about the localistdotme (option "D")? That was in Flippa's A-list? I see the A-list author pointed out its history and the risks associated there. But what do you think about the concept and the listing overall. Does it deserve to be in the A-list in your opinion? I didn't think it did purely on the fact that the business model relies heavily on a not entirely well defined level of outsourcing whilst the listing also openly references that concept as a nightmare. That plus the fact that it hasn't been established very long and it's not clear why that listing is better than others Flippa have that don't possess the same shortfalls made me wonder what the selection criteria really is for Flippa's A-list.

That said, I am new to the game so perhaps there's some real potential there that I have overlooked. On the bright side, there appears to be decent revenue figures for a modest sale price. I would really like to know if the new owner (if that's what really happened as a result of the "sale") is still experiencing those figures. You're thoughts?

Thanks again for your post.

[Clinton]

The A List is complied by a member here called Flipfilter (Justin). I think he does a good and impartial job, but I do have a different opinion to him with regard some of the sites he chooses to list.

You've got to bear in mind that he hasn't done a full due diligence on these sites he picks out. To be honest, I don't envy him the job - after a long break I've spent a fair bit of time in Flippa over the last couple of weeks and there is very little quality stuff to choose from. So full credit to him for what he does manage to find that's worthy of a paragraph or two in the Alist.

D generated $20K in 2.5 months if you go by the claim in the title. And it sold (apparently) for $12K. When a site gets a max bid of a month's income you know you were right to steer clear.

I'm not saying there are no opportunities with these sites, but you need to ignore all claims made in the listing and go purely by what assets you are sure you'll get clear title to and by how you see those assets integrating with your existing business to generate revenue.

Here are the assets for D

Domain Names (LocalList.me and LocalListMe.com)
All Files and Rights
Graphic Files
New Fully Created Support Ticket System
100+ Premium Wordpress Themes ($5,000 Value)
All Social Media Accounts
In Depth Training Videos and Guides ($2,000 Value)
Powerful Marketing Software ($3,000 Value)
Premium Wordpress Plugins ($1,000 Value)
I Will Transfer The Site For Free
Access To Me Whenever You Need My Help (Priceless 8-)

Most of them are rubbish - like the free "priceless" access to him. The files, scripts, custom mods etc., are always tricky - they may offer value but they also offer the potential for a lot of stress with bugs and further development ideas. Other assets - from WP plugins to themes to "powerful marketing software" to training videos - could all be junk. You can't estimate their value to you unless you examine them all.

[Wheels]

Thanks for that Clinton; I have only just noticed the thanks button/icon - so to all those that have thanked me but not yet been thanked by me, whilst you have also kindly responded to my posts and requests and assisted me; please don't think I am ungrateful.