Do you need a broker?
A broker values your business, markets it to buyers, negotiates and manages due diligence and transfer, for a success commission taken when the deal closes. That is worth paying on larger or more complex sales, where negotiation and buyer quality move the price. For a small, straightforward site, a marketplace usually nets more. Our <a href="https://siteappraiser.com/blog/website-broker-vs-marketplace/">broker vs marketplace guide</a> covers the decision in detail.
The main brokers
| Broker | Typical deal size | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| FE International | Six and seven figures | Content, SaaS and ecommerce with a hands-on process |
| Quiet Light | Six and seven figures | Established online businesses; each seller works with an advisor |
| Empire Flippers | From about $70,000 | Vetted marketplace with broker-style handling and managed migration |
| Website Closers | Larger deals | Ecommerce and content businesses |
| Investors Club | Established content sites | Curated content and affiliate sites with vetting |
| Flippa (managed sale) | Varies | Sellers who want Flippa's reach with broker help |
Deal sizes are indicative. Each broker sets its own criteria; check before you apply.
What brokers charge
Commission is the main fee, commonly around 10 to 15% for typical online-business sales and usually tiered so the rate falls on larger deals. Empire Flippers publishes its structure: a $10,000 minimum commission on sales up to $66,667, then 15% up to $700,000. Most brokers quote on request. Ask for the effective rate at your expected sale price, not the headline percentage. Our <a href="https://siteappraiser.com/blog/typical-website-broker-fees/">broker fees guide</a> explains the tiers.
How to choose between them
Match the broker to your deal size and business type first, then talk to two or three. Ask how many comparable businesses they sold in the last year, at what multiples, and how long the sales took. Ask who your point of contact will be and how buyers are vetted. A broker who has sold several businesses like yours will price it more accurately and find buyers faster.
Questions to ask before signing
How long is the exclusivity period, and what happens if you find a buyer yourself? Is there any upfront or listing fee? What is included: valuation, marketing, migration support, legal templates? What is the commission at your likely price, including any minimum? Get the answers in writing.
Know your number first
Every broker will give you a valuation, and a high one wins listings. Know your own figure before the first call so you can tell a realistic estimate from a sales pitch. Our <a href="https://siteappraiser.com/tool">free website appraisal</a> gives you a range in about two minutes.
- Brokers earn their fee on larger or complex sales; small sites usually net more on a marketplace.
- FE International and Quiet Light focus on six- and seven-figure businesses.
- Commissions are commonly 10–15%, tiered, often with a minimum.
- Compare two or three brokers on comparable sales, exclusivity and effective rate.
Work it out: Marketplace fee calculator
Empire Flippers vets both sides and runs the migration for you. For established sites it consistently reaches the strongest end of the range.
See Empire Flippers