Flippa is a marketplace for buying and selling online businesses, from content websites and e-commerce stores to apps and domain names. For an African entrepreneur, it offers two different paths: acquiring an already-running online business instead of starting from zero, or eventually selling one you’ve built once you’re ready to exit.
Key features
- Listings across websites, e-commerce stores, apps, and domain names, with searchable filters by revenue, price, and niche.
- Verified financial and traffic data on many listings, helping buyers assess a business before making an offer.
- A bidding or offer system for negotiating price directly with sellers.
- Due diligence resources and guides for evaluating a listing before committing.
- A resource for sellers to list and value an existing online business when planning an exit.
Pricing
Listing a business on Flippa typically involves a listing fee plus a success fee (a percentage of the final sale price) once a deal closes; exact fee structures vary by listing type and price tier, so check current rates before listing. Buying has no platform fee beyond the agreed purchase price with the seller, though escrow or transaction fees may apply depending on the deal structure.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Buying an established business can be faster than building traffic and revenue from scratch | Acquiring a business carries real risk if financial or traffic claims aren’t independently verified |
| Gives founders a real exit path once a business is ready to sell | Good listings attract competitive bidding, which can push the final price above the initial asking price |
| Due diligence resources help structure a more informed buying decision | Cross-border payment and ownership transfer can add complexity when buyer and seller are in different countries |
Who it’s for
African entrepreneurs looking to acquire an already-running online business instead of starting one from zero, or founders ready to sell a business they’ve built.
Who should skip it
First-time founders without the capital or experience to properly vet an acquisition. Buying an underperforming or misrepresented business can be more costly than building slowly from scratch.
How to get started
If buying, independently verify a listing’s traffic and revenue claims before making an offer, rather than relying only on the numbers shown in the listing.
FAQ
Can I use Flippa to sell a business based in Africa to an international buyer?
Yes, Flippa lists businesses globally, though cross-border payment, currency conversion, and asset transfer logistics need to be planned carefully as part of the deal.
How do I know if a listing’s revenue numbers are accurate?
Look for listings with verified financials, and independently confirm key numbers (bank statements, analytics access) as part of due diligence before finalizing any purchase.
Disclosure: Africapreneurs may earn a commission if you sign up for Flippa through the links in this article. This does not change what you pay, and it does not influence which tools we choose to cover.
