10 Things to Remember when Buying a Blog
Buying a Blog isn’t as simple as you might think
Here is a list of the Top ten thing to remember to do when you have either just purchased an existing blog or are selling yours. As I have done this recently I thought it would be nice if i shared a little about what i learned and some of the things to remember.
#1) Hosting
You are probally wondering why i put this one first, and Domain Name Registration second, hold your horses it will make sense in a min. If you are changing the Host then you will need to worry about #2 if you are not changing the host you will simply need to get the login and user name for the hosting account. Once inside the Cpanel you will have total control over the domain name, it’s expiration and renewal.
#2) Domain Name Registration
This only applies if you are moving the hosting account. While this might sound like a pretty straight forward thing, it can suck up a lot of time if you don’t have what you need from the seller. Be sure to ask for the REGISTRY AUTH CODE (also known as the “EPP Code”, “Domain Password”, “Auth Info”, or “Domain Secret” depending on which Registrar you are using. In the hosting cPanel you wish to use, you can typically find a “transfer Domain” icon, and by simply following the steps your domain will be transfered to the new host within 24-48 hours. Keep in mind that when you switch hosting you will be asked to renew the domain with the new host, essentially youa re adding an additioanl year until the domain expires. There are problems if the domain is exirine with 14 days check with your registar for details.
#3) Site Back up
Yeah sounds like a NO Brainer right? wrong I’d be curious how many of you actually back up your site personally and then how often?
#4) Email
You will deffinately want to keep the old owners email active, they might have signed up for affiliates with it, and the only way to get the new password is to send it to the email listed in the account. They could get offers for paid ads, or guest posts submissions you just never know.
#5) Paypal
While this one also seems simple it can be a nightmare, and take forever to get correct.
#6) Twitter
Obviously one more important piece of your “brand” take ImBloggingThat as an example, the previous owner set one up, but never really did anything with it, a few here a few there, but the true value, is you want to control everything with your “brand” on it.
#7 – # 10) Social Networking sites
Lastly
The crazy thing about the blogging world is there are quit a few Social Networking opportunities, and while this is good from a traffic perspective, from a log in/ username/password perspective it can be quite the task to assemble. Above is a list of the ones I use, If I left of one that you use please let me knowas I’m sure I did.
Start a list of all your UserNames and Password and to what sites you have an account with, simply put so you can remember where you have some “Branding” potential. Keep track of you brand, it’s your most important asset as a blogger. That’s What I’m Blogging That… What are you blogging?
January 23rd, 2009 at 7:41 am
Thank you.
January 23rd, 2009 at 9:10 am
Hello,
I am launching a blog soon, and I just wanted to thank you for sharing your experince, it´s classy!!!
I have bought a domain name (http://www.edarling.de), dediacted to my girlfriend, and i will launch it a month before i present it to her for hr birthday. She is always not sure if i love her, so I decided to set up this blog in order to show her that i am ready to communicate all over the world about my true love.
my work should start soon, what you think about it?
I ll kepp you in touch
Felix from Germany, keep posting
January 23rd, 2009 at 9:12 am
@Felix Wow now that’s a lot of love eep me posted on how it goes i’d be interested to hear her reaction. Good luck!
January 23rd, 2009 at 9:41 am
Thanks!
January 23rd, 2009 at 4:50 pm
Thanks for the list…but I like the one in the photo better…lol.
January 24th, 2009 at 8:21 am
You may have issues getting the previous owners permission to keep the email address active.
Excellent list altogether though. :)
January 24th, 2009 at 8:24 pm
I have been thinking about selling my weightloss website and I have considered almost all of the things on your list, But I never really thought about my social networking accounts. Thanks for pointing it out.
January 25th, 2009 at 10:52 am
[...] I’m Blogging That! – Ten Things to Remember When Buying a Blog [...]
January 25th, 2009 at 5:25 pm
Thanks for the awesome post.
I’ve never had a step by step breakdown about buying a blog
Rob
January 26th, 2009 at 8:22 am
You should also get the feedburner subscriptions email. Right now, it is possible to transfer the email address, but with the transfer of feedburner account to google account, I doublt if it would be possible. Nice tips.
January 26th, 2009 at 8:24 am
Great point, you are right with out that email it’ll be pretty rough!
January 27th, 2009 at 6:46 am
Good check list! A blog is virtual real estate that will grow for as long as you maintain it, post new articles and so on.I would sell my blog only if I was forced to do that.
January 30th, 2009 at 3:14 pm
Great list, but I was surprised to see no mention of the transaction side – I’ve sold one site and used escrow.com. I highly recommend doing so!
February 1st, 2009 at 10:02 pm
[...] I’m Blogging That! – Ten Things to Remember When Buying a Blog [...]
February 2nd, 2009 at 7:38 am
Site Back up – thanks for reminding me about that, probably pretty stupid i havent been doing that yet…
February 2nd, 2009 at 10:30 pm
Thanks for sharing a few things over there at. I finds interesting to know about new things which I haven’t come across in any of the blogs.
February 3rd, 2009 at 4:02 am
I share the idea of thinking of a blog as an estate.It also takes much care and love as everything in this world. It value grows from year to year.
February 4th, 2009 at 1:27 am
Phew! It sounds like a lot you need to take into consideration.
February 5th, 2009 at 10:13 am
I m thinking of switching webhost myself but it seems like a big hassle and I don’t wanna lose my stuff during the process.. Is it as bad as I think?
March 5th, 2009 at 10:36 pm
@s 1 & 2 seem a little strangely worded… For people who don't have their sites hosting and domain registration through the same company – If you're changing host, you'll need to update the nameservers at the domain registrar and if both hosts use cPanel, it's easier to transfer the site and database. If you change registrars, you wouldn't do this through your host, you'd unlock it at your current registrar, make a request at the new one and approve the request.
March 17th, 2009 at 10:17 am
I'll never thought buying been blog such a hectic procedure and need to care so much points , generally people not cares such things about blog buying.
March 28th, 2009 at 2:13 pm
Interesting post, somethings i never even thought of being an issue.
June 15th, 2009 at 12:52 pm
That sound new for me….i have to tank you for these information….i wanna buy a blog and now i know what i have to do…
thanks
byeeeeeeeee
July 21st, 2009 at 12:11 pm
have a blog is always a wisch that i had….. i didn´t know that you have to see all these things, but now i know that and i have to thank you.
bye
July 24th, 2009 at 7:30 am
I would agree that buying a blog is not as easy as it seems, there's alot more than meets the eye, that needs to be looked at before making the final purchase. It's like anything in life that you are investing in.
Till then,
Jean
August 20th, 2009 at 12:18 pm
Thanks for the advice, it will try. It is true that a blogs Vitruelle property is.
July 12th, 2010 at 9:58 pm
Ah, overlooked the whole social bookmarking accounts. Makes a lot of sense though – if the community has already been built up and integrated with the blog, it should probably go along with the sale.
September 8th, 2010 at 4:41 am
Cheers for list very useful!