Top 11 Lessons Learned About Micro M&A And Online Assets By Interviewing Mushifq Sarker - Founder Webacquisition.com
Watch E78 Here
Here is what my team and I learned from this interview: (These are notes from team members, writers, sometimes AI, and even listeners who submitted what i learned loosely edited and shared here) - If it seems a bit crude, you're reading our notes, so. yeah. -Ron
Concept 1: Find and buy digital assets.
The digital world is filled with opportunities to find and buy digital assets. From websites and newsletters to podcasts and social media profiles, digital assets are everywhere. This can be a great way to make money, build a business, and even gain a following. But, how do you find and buy digital assets?
The first step is to identify the type of asset you are looking for. Websites, newsletters, podcasts, and social media profiles are some of the most popular digital assets. Once you have identified the type of asset you are looking for, it is important to do some research to find the best deal.
One of the best places to find digital assets is Flippa. Flippa is essentially the eBay of the digital asset world. It is a great place to find a range of digital assets, from websites and newsletters to podcasts and social media profiles. Listings on Flippa are not always 100% vetted, so it is important to do your due diligence before making any purchases.
Another great way to find digital assets is to reach out to industry leaders, authors, mentors, and other influencers. These people have the knowledge and experience to help you find the best deals on digital assets. They can also provide valuable advice on how to best use the asset and make the most of your purchase.
Finally, it is important to be aware of the risks involved in buying digital assets. It is important to do your research and understand the legal and financial implications of the purchase. It is also important to understand the value of the asset and make sure you are getting a good deal.
Finding and buying digital assets can be a great way to make money and build a business. With the right research and understanding of the risks, it can be a great opportunity to find success.
Concept 2: Buy neglected websites cheaply.
One of the best ways to find these digital assets is by looking for neglected websites. Neglected websites are those that have been built up over the years by hobbyists or those who don’t understand the M&A space. These websites are often listed online on websites such as Flippa, where it’s possible to find great deals.
On Flippa, it’s possible to find “diamonds in the rough”, websites that have been built up over the years but are being sold for much less than they are worth because the owners don’t understand the true value. It’s also possible to find websites that have been neglected and are not generating much revenue but could be turned around with some work.
Another way to find neglected websites is to look for the top blogs in a particular niche. By looking on pages two, three or four of Google, it’s possible to find websites that haven’t been updated in a while and could be a great opportunity to purchase for a good deal. Reaching out to the owners of these websites can be difficult, as many times they don’t have contact information or social media profiles listed.
If a website is found that has a lot of content, but it’s not of great quality, it’s possible to turn the content around. This is done by rewriting and repurposing the content to make it more readable and engaging. This can be a time-consuming process, but it can be worth it in the end.
Buying neglected websites cheaply can be a great way to build a business. With the right research and understanding of the risks, it’s possible to find great deals and turn them into profitable ventures.
Concept 3: Monetize with high-tier networks.
One of the most important elements of making money from a website is monetization. When it comes to monetizing a website, there are many options available. One of the most lucrative options is to use high-tier networks. High-tier networks offer much higher commission rates than other networks, such as AdSense. They also offer more control over the content and ads that are displayed on the website.
High-tier networks such as Ezoic, Mediavine, and AdThrive offer much higher commission rates than other networks. These networks pay up to 50% commissions on sales and cost-per-action (CPA) payments. For example, a brand in the B2B space may be willing to pay a significant amount upfront for a lead, even though their subscription is only $6 a month. This can provide a significant boost to a website’s bottom line.
In addition to higher commission rates, high-tier networks also offer more control over the content and ads that are displayed on the website. This allows website owners to customize the ads and content to better fit their audience and maximize their revenue potential.
Finally, high-tier networks are also more reliable than other networks. They are more likely to pay out on time and provide better customer service. This makes them a much more attractive option for website owners.
In conclusion, monetizing a website with high-tier networks is a great way to maximize revenue potential. They offer much higher commission rates, more control over the content and ads, and better customer service. For website owners looking to maximize their revenue, high-tier networks are the way to go.
Concept 4: Verify before investing.
However, it is important to verify before investing. This means researching the traffic sources, understanding the content and ad networks, and ensuring the website is optimized for SEO. It is also important to understand the competition and make sure the website is differentiated enough to stand out. Additionally, it is important to ensure the content is up to date and the reviews are accurate.
Verifying a website before investing can save time and money in the long run. It is important to do the research and understand the competition before investing in a website. Doing this will help to ensure the website is successful and profitable.
Concept 5: Do due diligence before buying.
Due diligence is the process of researching and verifying a website before investing in it. It involves looking at the website's backlinks, traffic metrics, revenue metrics, sources of revenue, and P&Ls. It also includes using tools such as Ahrefs, SEMrush, and Google Analytics to verify the website's performance. Additionally, seller interviews can be conducted to gain more insight into the website.
When researching a website, it is important to look for any discrepancies between the data from tools such as Ahrefs and Google Analytics. If there is a large discrepancy between the two, it could be a sign of black hat or illegal tactics being used to obtain links. Additionally, it is important to look at the backlink profile to make sure it is not full of nefarious links.
Facebook groups are a great place to source and sell websites that are making less than $10,000 per month. It allows buyers and sellers to connect directly and close the deal through escrow, without having to pay a 15% brokerage commission. For websites making more than $20,000, it is recommended to use smaller-scale brokerages such as MotionInvest or InvestorsClub. For websites making more than $100,000, Empire Flippers, QuietLight, and FE International are recommended.
Overall, due diligence is an important step to take before investing in a website. Doing the research and verifying the website can save time and money in the long run. It is important to use the right tools and sources to ensure the website is successful and profitable.
Concept 6: Start building a brand.
When it comes to building a brand, it is important to take the time to develop a strategy for success. It is not enough to simply create a website, it is necessary to create a unique brand that stands out from the competition. This includes developing a unique identity, creating content that is engaging and informative, and developing relationships with customers and other businesses.
A successful brand requires a lot of hard work and dedication. It is important to create a website that is user-friendly and offers an enjoyable experience. This includes creating content that is interesting and informative, as well as offering products or services that are of high quality. Additionally, it is important to have a good customer service system in place, so customers can quickly and easily get the help they need.
It is also important to have a good marketing strategy. This includes creating content that is shareable and engaging, as well as utilizing social media platforms to reach potential customers. Additionally, it is important to create a website that is optimized for search engines, so that customers can easily find the website.
Finally, it is important to have a monetization plan in place. This includes creating a subscription service, offering deals, and other methods of monetization. This will ensure that the website is profitable and sustainable.
Overall, building a brand is an important step to take before investing in a website. It is important to take the time to create a unique identity, create content that is engaging and informative, and create a monetization plan that is profitable and sustainable. By taking the time to do the research and develop a strategy, it is possible to create a successful and profitable website.
Concept 7: Avoid buying PBNs.
However, there are some shortcuts that can be taken to speed up the process. One such shortcut is buying a Private Blog Network (PBN). A PBN is a network of websites that are owned by the same person or company and are linked together to create a more powerful web presence. The idea is that by linking the sites together, the sites will have a higher chance of being found by search engines and will have a better chance of ranking higher in search engine results pages.
Unfortunately, buying a PBN is not a good idea. Google has become increasingly sophisticated in its ability to detect and flag PBNs. If Google detects that a website is part of a PBN, it can penalize the website, resulting in lower rankings or even removal from the search engine results pages. Additionally, buying a PBN is not a good long-term strategy because it does not create a solid foundation for a website. It is much better to take the time to create a unique and engaging website that has a solid foundation of content and links from authoritative sources.
In conclusion, while buying a PBN can be a tempting shortcut, it is not a good idea. Google has become increasingly sophisticated in its ability to detect and flag PBNs, and buying a PBN does not create a solid foundation for a website. It is better to take the time to create a unique and engaging website that has a solid foundation of content and links from authoritative sources.
Concept 8: Optimize for conversions.
When it comes to optimizing for conversions, it is important to remember that Google is not the only factor. In order to maximize conversions, it is important to focus on creating a website that is user-friendly, has relevant content, and is optimized for search engines. This includes optimizing content for keywords, creating a well-structured website, and creating backlinks from authoritative sources. Additionally, it is important to use conversion rate optimization (CRO) techniques to ensure that visitors are more likely to take the desired action.
CRO involves making changes to a website in order to increase the likelihood of a visitor taking a desired action, such as making a purchase or signing up for a newsletter. This can involve testing different versions of a website to see which version performs better, or it can involve making changes to the design, content, and structure of a website. Additionally, it is important to ensure that the website is mobile-friendly so that visitors can easily access the website from any device.
Overall, optimizing for conversions is an important part of any website. It is important to focus on creating a website that is user-friendly, has relevant content, and is optimized for search engines. Additionally, it is important to use CRO techniques to ensure that visitors are more likely to take the desired action. By following these guidelines, it is possible to create a website that is optimized for conversions and can help to increase sales and leads.
Concept 9: Focus on content production.
One of the most important aspects of optimizing for conversions is content production. Content production is the process of creating content for a website, such as blog posts, articles, videos, and images. Content production is important because it helps to create an engaging and informative website that visitors are more likely to stay on and interact with. Additionally, content production can help to increase search engine rankings, as search engines favor websites that have high-quality content.
When it comes to content production, it is important to focus on creating content that is relevant to the website’s niche. Additionally, it is important to create content that is engaging and informative. Content should also be optimized for search engines, such as by including relevant keywords in the content. Additionally, it is important to use call-to-action buttons, affiliate links, and comparison tables to help drive conversions.
In the podcast, the speaker discussed how they used a content production approach to increase their website’s traffic and revenue. They used an 80-20 approach, which is 80% of their traffic went to 20% of their top pages. They also added display ads and created a team of four writers to create a hundred articles a month for six months. This helped to propel the site to $3,000 a month in revenue. They also invested in a redesign at the end of the process.
Overall, content production is an important part of optimizing for conversions. It is important to focus on creating content that is relevant to the website’s niche, engaging, and informative. Additionally, it is important to optimize the content for search engines, use call-to-action buttons, affiliate links, and comparison tables. By following these guidelines, it is possible to create a website that is optimized for conversions and can help to increase sales and leads.
Concept 10: Understand SEO before investing.
However, before investing in content production, it is important to understand the fundamentals of SEO. SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization, and it is the process of optimizing a website in order to rank higher in search engine results. By understanding SEO, website owners will be able to create content that is optimized for search engines, as well as for conversions.
To understand SEO, website owners should start by learning the A to Z of SEO and how Google works. It is important to understand the fundamentals of SEO, such as keyword research, content optimization, link building, and technical SEO. Additionally, website owners should also understand the importance of creating content that is relevant to the website’s niche and engaging to the audience.
Once website owners understand the fundamentals of SEO, they can start to create content that is optimized for search engines. Additionally, they can also start to invest in content production, such as hiring a content writer or creating their own content. It is important to note that website owners should not invest in content production without understanding SEO, as they may end up losing their investment.
In conclusion, understanding SEO is essential before investing in content production. By understanding the fundamentals of SEO, website owners will be able to create content that is optimized for search engines and conversions. Additionally, they will also be able to determine whether or not it is worth investing in content production.
Concept 11: Do SEO for YouTube videos.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is an important tool for any website owner, especially when it comes to creating content for YouTube videos. YouTube is the world's second-largest search engine, and optimizing content for YouTube can lead to increased website visibility, more traffic, and higher conversions. With the right SEO tactics, website owners can maximize their visibility on YouTube and get the most out of their content.
When it comes to SEO for YouTube videos, there are several key elements to consider. First, the video title should include the main keyword that the video is targeting. Additionally, the video description should include relevant keywords and phrases, as well as a link to the website. Finally, the video should include relevant tags to help search engines find the video.
It is also important to consider the length of the video. Shorter videos tend to rank higher in search results, so website owners should make sure their videos are as short as possible. Additionally, website owners should ensure that their videos are engaging and provide value to the viewer. The use of visuals, such as images and graphics, can also help to enhance the viewer experience.
Finally, website owners should also consider the use of annotations and end screens to increase the visibility of their videos. Annotations can be used to link to other videos or websites, while end screens can be used to direct viewers to the website. By using these tools, website owners can increase the visibility of their videos and drive more traffic to their websites.
Overall, SEO for YouTube videos is an important consideration for website owners. By understanding the fundamentals of SEO and implementing the right tactics, website owners can maximize their visibility on YouTube and increase the success of their content.
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