Guides for buyers

What to check, what to ask and what to pay when buying a small online business.

• How to value a small online businessWork out the real profit, choose a sensible multiple and decide what to offer.
• Red flags when buying a website or online businessThe warning signs that turn up in listing after listing, and what to do about each one.
• How to verify a website’s revenue before you buyRead-only access, bank statements and the cross-checks that expose faked figures.