Understand what is actually being sold
Distinguish the domain name, code, content, images and any associated services. Ask which rights can be transferred and which licences require renewal. Brands, external accounts and personal data require specific checks. The list of included assets should be detailed enough to avoid misunderstandings.
Review evidence of audience and activity
Look at statistics over a meaningful period and examine traffic sources. A high proportion of bots is not a commercial audience. Verify stated revenue with appropriate evidence and distinguish turnover, expenses and profit. Tourism is seasonal: one good month does not establish annual performance.
Assess the costs and work you will take on
Hosting, licences, translation, maintenance and content creation can be recurring expenses. Check the technologies, updates and whether a backup can be restored. Identify skills to learn and tasks to outsource. Even a website described as ready to use needs ongoing care and commercial or editorial work.
Plan the handover and support
Define access credentials, transfer stages and checks before final handover. Support should specify its duration, content and limits. Have contractual, accounting or legal aspects reviewed as appropriate. Taking over a website guarantees neither future income nor maintained traffic. Decide on verifiable evidence rather than promised earnings.
Your preparation checklist
- A detailed list of assets and rights transferred.
- Evidence of audience and revenue over several periods.
- An operating and maintenance budget.
- A transfer schedule and defined support.
Frequently asked questions
Does a turnkey website run without work?
No. Updates, content, client relationships and ongoing management still need organising.
Does a past audience guarantee future results?
No. Traffic and revenue can change with seasons, search engines and website changes.