Is it possible to sell a web design business?

[Davidsaga]

Hello friends,

 

I am starting up my own web design business, but I would like to know if it would be possible to sell it when I go to university if it is successful.

 

Thanks a lot.

David

[Andrea]

Why not - if you find a buyer? It wouldn't be anything tangible, but maybe reputation and a client list.

[LSW]

Exactly, what are you selling but a Name/Reputation/Domain? Or do you have an office, office materials etc. like a normal business? Then what about after the university? Build up a new one since you sold it? What if the person you sell to screws it up? Killer Sites was not originally Stef's.

 

"How to build Killer Websites" was a book and this web site was created to sell the book. Some designers like myself in 2000 joined up to learn things, Stef either joined or already new the author (I forget which). When the author retired more or less Stef took over, bought it, whatever. I came back to killer sites to find Stef in charge and a forum. Stef and I and then all the moderators became friends and eventually Stef expanded with other support sites and changed the design and hence Killer Sites as you know it today.

 

Stef carried on and built upon the book/author's success.

 

What if he didn't, what if he built crap and had bouncing things all over (Anyone remember Homer Simpson's web site he had in an episode?) it? Think of the result when people make a connection between the book and the site? How embarrassing could it have been for the author? He trusted Stef however and it paid off.

 

Just keep in mind what could result for you if Homer Simpson bought the business you created?

 

Why sell? Just let it vanish like so many or pack it away until after the university.

[chrisguk]

Stef has done well and it was his lessons in PHP that inspired me to be a PHP developer.

 

I personally think that a website design business is worthless unless as stated above, you are for one:

 

1. Registered as a ligitimate business in the first place.

2. Have a very good client list that is generating good revenue.

 

Its kind of crazy to ask if you can sell a business when you goto University if it is doing well. After all, if you have a business that is doing great. Why the hell goto University in the first place?

 

You are far better off learning the tricks of the trade in real time than spending you time at Uni learning technologies that are old. How do I know this?

 

I did Computer Science at Uni and now wish I didnt, coz unless you specialise in something or you are real special, then its worthless. Okay you get a bit of ground on programming etc

[administrator]

Its kind of crazy to ask if you can sell a business when you goto University if it is doing well. After all, if you have a business that is doing great. Why the hell goto University in the first place?

 

 

Exactly.

 

That's a decision that I faced when I was in my 2nd year of university: run with the business that's starting to take off or stick to school. I went with the business and have regretted it everyday since!

 

 

... Just kidding!! I've never looked back!

 

 

Stef