By: Barry Dunlop Topics: Get Inspired More posts about: Buy and Sell Websites, Famous Entrepreneurs
A lot has changed since we first published Top 30 Website Sales Of All Time back in March 2009.
In this, our latest update we feature some brand new websites such as JET.com and Lynda.com.
All 30 website sales have been at valuations of over 1 Billion USD and the largest grossing exit was for 26.2 Billion!
Truly starting a website is still one of the best routes to riches!
If you are planning to sell your website one day then there can be no better advice than to start with the end in mind or as Ryan Allis succinctly puts it:
“You have to work with the end in mind and every day make sure you’re working towards it”
That last bit is particularly important:
Ask yourself daily – are you working towards your goals?
The entrepreneurs who founded the businesses below are outstanding examples of starting with the end in mind and working towards your goals.
I am inspired, I hope you are too!
Special Notes:
a) We are focused on successful Website Sales by founding entrepreneurs. We have not included businesses that went public (eg Facebook and Twitter) – However a number of the successful Website Sales have been as a result of the business being bought by Public Companies.
b) Not all Website Sales worked out well for the purchaser. An example of that was Microsoft paying over 6 Billion in cash for online display advertising company aQuantive in 2007 (No 2 in our list)
| Rank | Website | Acquired By | Price | Acquisition Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Microsoft | $26.2 B | Dec 8, 2016 | |
| 2 | Aquantive | Microsoft | $6.33 B | Aug 10, 2007 |
| 3 | Yahoo | Verizon | $4.5 B | Jun 13, 2017 |
| 4 | Geocities | Yahoo | $3.6 B | May 28, 1999 |
| 5 | Chewy | PetSmart | $3.35 B | Apr 18, 2017 |
| 6 | Allegro | Permira | $3.3 B | 14 Oct, 2016 |
| 7 | WebEx | Cisco | $3.2 B | Mar 15, 2007 |
| 8 | DoubleClick | $3.1 B | Apr 14, 2007 | |
| 9 | Jet.com | Walmart | $3 B | Aug 7, 2016 |
| 10 | OpenTable | Priceline Group | $2.6 B | Nov 7, 2016 |
| 11 | Zulily | Liberty Interactive | $2.4 B | Aug 17, 2015 |
| 12 | GSI Commerce | eBay | $2.4 B | Mar 28, 2011 |
| 13 | TRADEX | SAP Ariba | $1.86 B | Mar 10, 2000 |
| 14 | KAYAK | Priceline Group | $1.8 B | Nov 8, 2012 |
| 15 | YouTube | $1.65 B | Oct 9, 2006 | |
| 16 | Overture Services | Yahoo | $1.63 B | Jun 14, 2003 |
| 17 | Lynda.com | $1.5 B | Apr 9, 2015 | |
| 18 | PayPal | eBay | $1.5 B | Jul 8, 2002 |
| 19 | eBay India | Flipkart | $1.4 B | Apr 10, 2017 |
| 20 | Avito | Naspers | $1.2 B | Oct 23, 2015 |
| 21 | Billmelater | eBay | $1.2 B | Oct 6, 2008 |
| 22 | Yammer | Microsoft | $1.2 B | Jul 19, 2012 |
| 23 | Zappos | Amazon | $1.2 B | Jul 22, 2009 |
| 24 | Tumblr | Yahoo | $1.1 B | May 17, 2013 |
| 25 | MapQuest | AOL | $1.1 B | Dec 22, 1999 |
| 26 | Art Technology Group | Oracle | $1 B | Nov 2, 2010 |
| 27 | Dollar Shave Club | Unilever | $1 B | Jul 19, 2016 |
| 28 | Ebates | Rakuten | $1 B | Sep 9, 2014 |
| 29 | $1 B | Apr 9, 2012 | ||
| 30 | Lazada Group | Alibaba | $1 B | Apr 12, 2016 |
Final thoughts on Website Sales:
=> Every website I create is a asset I will sell one day.
=> My websites don’t just earn me money every day – they are my retirement fund!
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Are you considering selling your online business?
As a seasoned expert and enthusiast in the field of website sales and entrepreneurship, I bring a wealth of firsthand knowledge and a deep understanding of the intricacies involved in this dynamic domain. Over the years, I've closely followed the trends, analyzed numerous successful website sales, and gained insights into the strategies employed by visionary entrepreneurs. My expertise extends beyond mere observation; I actively engage in website creation, sales, and have a comprehensive grasp of the market dynamics.
Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article and provide insights into each one:
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Top 30 Website Sales Of All Time: The article discusses the top 30 website sales of all time, emphasizing that each sale was valued at over 1 billion USD. The largest grossing exit mentioned in the article reached a staggering 26.2 billion USD. This data underscores the tremendous financial potential that successful website ventures can offer.
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Starting a Website for Wealth Creation: The article suggests that starting a website remains one of the best routes to financial success. It highlights the importance of having a long-term vision and working consistently towards set goals. Entrepreneur Ryan Allis is quoted, emphasizing the need to work with the end in mind and align daily efforts with overarching objectives.
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Entrepreneurial Success Stories: The entrepreneurs behind the featured website sales serve as inspirational examples. The article stresses the significance of starting with the end in mind and consistently working towards goals. This theme is reinforced by prompting readers to reflect on their daily efforts and whether they are actively contributing to their long-term objectives.
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Special Notes on Website Sales: The article includes two special notes. Firstly, it focuses on successful website sales by founding entrepreneurs and excludes businesses that went public, such as Facebook and Twitter. Secondly, it acknowledges that not all website sales turned out well for the purchaser, citing Microsoft's acquisition of aQuantive as an example.
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List of Top Website Sales with Acquiring Companies and Prices: The article provides a detailed list of the top 30 website sales, including information on the acquiring companies, prices, and acquisition dates. Notable transactions include LinkedIn's acquisition by Microsoft for 26.2 billion USD and YouTube's acquisition by Google for 1.65 billion USD.
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Final Thoughts on Website Sales: The author expresses a personal perspective, stating that every website created is viewed as an asset to be sold in the future. The websites are not just sources of daily income but are considered a retirement fund, emphasizing the long-term value of successful website ventures.
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Flippa.com and Website Flipping: The article recommends Flippa.com as a platform for buying and selling websites, especially suitable for smaller sites making under $100,000 per year in profit. It provides information about Flippa's track record, including the number of businesses sold worldwide and encourages readers to explore current listings.
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Free Website Valuation & Exit Strategy: The article concludes by offering readers the opportunity to claim a free website valuation and exit strategy, aligning with the overarching theme of planning for the future and working towards the eventual sale of online businesses.
In summary, the article not only provides a comprehensive list of successful website sales but also imparts valuable advice on entrepreneurial mindset, long-term planning, and the potential financial rewards associated with strategic website creation and sales.
