Sales

How Long Does It Take To Sell A Small Business?

Running a business, a successful business, for that matter, is not an easy thing. There is a lot of hard work, effort, and time needed to ensure that it stays on top of the chart. You probably have seen some entrepreneurs selling their business and have been wondering, why so? Well, there are many reasons one can decide to sell their business, some of which include industry changes, boredom, retirement, illness, and search for new opportunities. Whatever the reason is, the aim is to ensure that they get value from their business sale. Fortunately, there are business advisors such as Nash advisory business sales advisors that can help you find the right buyer for your business. They will also help you come up with a business valuation report that will guide you on how you can minimize the risks and get maximum value.

Selling a business is not a one-off thing. You need to strategically plan well in advance for you to make the right moves. Remember, the aim is to sell it for the maximum value, not just selling it for the sake.

While business owners who want to sell their businesses want to do it fast, it has proved to be impossible for most of them. According to research, selling a business can take between 6 to 9 months. Some of the factors that affect how long it will take the business to sell include;

  • Business Location
  • Revenues
  • Asking price
  • Type of buyer
  • Business structure
  • Financing required

It is therefore imperative for small business owners to have the above pointers in mind to avoid disappointments when their businesses take some time before finding the right buyer. However, the sellers need to also set realistic timelines and expectations. Below are other tips that can help small business sellers find the right buyers;

  1. Prepare your documents

Having the records right while trying to sell a business is vital. The financial records should be updated and reviewed by an accountant to ensure that everything is in order. This is so because the potential buyers will always ask to see your financial statements before making a decision.

  1. Consult a business advisor

The right business advisor can help you get the right seller for your business as they know the ins and out of selling a business. They will guide you on the whole process of selling the business, educate you on different buying options and prepare a valuation report for your business. The valuation report will help you understand the worth of your business.

  1. Market the business

Spreading the word that you are selling your business is very important. You, therefore, need to market your business through the right marketing channels. Using social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram are a good place to start. Through these platforms, you can be able to find prospective buyers from anywhere in the world who might show interest in buying your franchise.

While selling a small business may take a while, it is crucial to ensure that you get the best return out of it. Working with an experienced business advisor might save you a lot of hassle and help you get the best buyer for the business.

If you have any questions, please ask below!