Empire Flippers really speeds up the building process up to build a website.
They offer the ability to sell, too, but we’re going to look at everything to get an idea.
Sure:
It’s cheaper to build one from scratch, but if Empire Flippers fast forwards your business a ton of years, it might just be worth it.
I’ve always enjoyed checking out the sites up for sale.
And when I signed up it’s a simple process to be a customer, which is nice!
Ok, let’s check out some areas about Empire Flippers and make sure to at least check the sites for sale.
See Website Businesses For Sale
Empire Flippers Review Summary
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Marketplace Type | Curated website & online business marketplace (buy/sell) |
| Founded | 2013 |
| Success Rate | 94.1% listing-to-sale rate |
| Commission Fees | Under $700K: 15% $700K – $5M: 15% on first $700K, 8% after Over $5M: 2.5% on remaining balance |
| Minimum Listing Size | ~$50,000 |
| Buyer Fees | None |
| Vetting Process | Strict: verifies revenue, traffic, ownership & quality |
| Migration Support | Yes, included for free with a dedicated advisor |
| Ideal For | Serious buyers with $100K+ budget Sellers of profitable, established businesses Non-technical users needing done-for-you help |
| Pros |  High-quality listings No buyer fees Full escrow & migration service Strong success rate |
| Cons |  High commission (15%) Competition for good listings $50K+ entry point excludes small buyers |
| Best Alternatives | Flippa: Cheaper, riskier Motion Invest: Smaller content sites FE International: Higher-end SaaS & eCommerce |
| Ratings | Trust Pilot – 4 out of 5 stars on 79 reviews |
What Is Empire Flippers?
Empire Flippers is an online marketplace where people buy and sell websites and digital businesses.
Think of it like the eBay of online businesses, but way more selective.
They started in 2013 as a simple marketplace for AdSense sites.
Now they handle everything from content websites to SaaS businesses worth millions.
Here’s what makes them different: they vet every single business before it goes live.
No random person can just throw up a listing and hope for the best.
Empire Flippers has successfully sold thousands of websites, boasting an exceptional selling success rate of 94.1%.
That’s pretty impressive when you compare it to other platforms where most listings never sell.
Is Empire Flippers Legit? (Based On Reddit)
This is probably your biggest question.
With so many scam marketplaces out there, you need to know if Empire Flippers is the real deal.
Yes, Empire Flippers is a legit marketplace for buying and selling websites and online businesses.
But let me break down why they’re trustworthy:
They use escrow services: Your money stays protected until everything transfers properly. No sketchy PayPal transactions or wire transfers to random accounts.
Strict vetting process: Every business goes through weeks of verification. They check traffic, revenue, and ownership before anything gets listed.
Track record: They’ve been around for over 10 years and have sold thousands of businesses. That doesn’t happen if you’re running scams.
Empire Flippers is the largest full-service broker of quality content websites that are vetted, priced at a premium, and packaged with free services like escrow and done-for-you website migration.
However, you’ll find mixed opinions online. Some people complain about their fees or the competition for good deals. But those are business concerns, not legitimacy issues.
How Empire Flippers Works
For Buyers
Getting started is pretty straightforward.
You create an account, fill out your buyer profile, and start browsing.
But here’s where it gets interesting: you can’t see all the details right away. You need to request access to each listing’s data room. This prevents tire kickers from wasting everyone’s time.
Once you’re approved for a listing, you get access to:
- Traffic and revenue data
- Operating procedures
- Profit and loss statements
- Growth opportunities
If you want to make an offer, you go through Empire Flippers.
They handle negotiations and coordinate everything.
For Sellers
The process is more involved if you’re selling. First, you submit your business for review. Empire Flippers then spends 2-4 weeks checking everything.
They verify your traffic through Google Analytics. They confirm revenue through payment processors. They even check your content for plagiarism.
If you pass their vetting, they create a listing and start marketing your business to their buyer network.
The Complete Step-by-Step Buying Process
Here’s exactly what happens when you buy a website on Empire Flippers:
Step 1: Account Verification
Before you can even see the good stuff, you need to verify two things:
- Your ID (driver’s license or passport)
- Proof of funds (bank statements, investment accounts, etc.)
This verification process protects both buyers and sellers.
You’ll need to complete two steps before you can unlock a listing: verifying your ID and providing Proof of Funds.
Step 2: Unlock the Listing
Found a website you like? You can’t see the URL or contact the seller yet. You need to “unlock” it first by making a deposit.
For listings under $300K, you’ll typically need to put down 5% of the asking price.
For bigger deals above $300K, the process gets more detailed with additional verification steps.
Step 3: Due Diligence Period
Once you unlock a listing, you get access to:
- The actual website URL
- Detailed traffic and revenue data
- Direct communication with the seller
- 30 days to inspect everything
Use this time wisely. Check the traffic sources, verify the revenue claims, and ask tough questions.
Step 4: Make Your Offer
If you like what you see, you can make an offer during what Empire Flippers calls the “circulation period.” This is when multiple buyers can submit offers on the same business.
Don’t wait too long, though.
Popular websites often get multiple offers quickly.
Step 5: Escrow and Payment
Once your offer gets accepted, Empire Flippers handles the escrow process. They handle the contracts, the migration, the escrow, and the payouts. Your money stays protected until everything transfers successfully.
Step 6: Migration Process
Here’s where Empire Flippers really shines. The buyer and seller will be assigned a migration advisor to guide them through the process. The payout to the seller can only be released once the actual migration is successfully completed.
They’ll help transfer:
- Website files and databases
- Domain names
- Social media accounts
- Advertising accounts
- Any other business assets
This process usually takes 1-2 weeks, depending on the complexity of the business.
Empire Flippers Fees and Commission
Here’s where things get expensive.
Empire Flippers charges a flat 15% fee for any transaction below $700,000.
Let me break down their complete fee structure:
| Sale Price | Commission Rate |
|---|---|
| Under $700K | 15% |
| $700K – $5M | 15% on the first $700K, then 8% |
| Over $5M | $700,000 of the value will have a commission of 15% = $105,000 Plus 8% commission on the remaining $4,300,000 value = $344,000 Total = $105,000 + $344,000 = $449,000 commission. as you move above $5M, the remaining value would have a low commission rate of 2.5%. |
So if you sell a website for $100,000, you’re paying $15,000 in fees. That’s higher than most other platforms.
There is no fee to submit your business for sale on our marketplace.
You’ll only pay a commission if we sell your business.
For buyers, there are no fees.
Empire Flippers makes its money from the seller’s commission.
Empire Flippers Review: The Good and Bad
Let me give you the honest breakdown of what works and what doesn’t.
What I Like
Quality control is real: Every business is actually vetted. You won’t find fake traffic or made-up revenue numbers.
Migration support: They handle the technical transfer for free. This saves you weeks of headaches moving websites, setting up hosting, and transferring domains.
Professional process: Everything feels legitimate. You’re not dealing with random people through email. There’s structure and support.
Access to bigger deals: Most businesses are $50K and up. If you want something substantial, this is where you’ll find it.
What I Don’t Like
High fees: Some downsides are that the websites are priced at a premium and they take a relatively high commission of 15% for their high level of service.
Competition is fierce: Good deals get multiple offers within hours. You need to move fast and sometimes pay above asking price.
High barrier to entry: Most listings start around $50K. If you’re looking for something smaller, you’re out of luck.
Long vetting process: It can take months from applying to getting listed. If you need to sell quickly, this isn’t ideal. But I will say you have to respect the vetting process too.
See Website Businesses For Sale
Empire Flippers vs Flipps And Other Marketplaces
Here’s how Empire Flippers compares to the main alternatives:
vs Flippa: Flippa has lower fees but way less quality control. You’ll find more scams and inflated numbers on Flippa.
vs Motion Invest: Motion Invest focuses on smaller content sites (under $100K). Their process is faster but they’re more limited in what they handle.
vs FE International: FE International handles bigger SaaS and eCommerce deals. They’re more like traditional business brokers with white-glove service.
Empire Flippers sits in the middle.
Better quality than Flippa, but not as premium as FE International.
Who Should Use Empire Flippers?
This platform isn’t for everyone. Here’s who it works best for:
Sellers with established businesses: If your site makes $50K+ annually, Empire Flippers can probably get you a good price. The higher commission might be worth it for the buyer quality.
Serious buyers with a budget: If you have $100K+ to spend and want something that’s already profitable, this is perfect.
People who hate technical stuff: The migration support alone is worth a lot if you don’t want to deal with moving websites.
Anyone wanting peace of mind: The vetting process means you’re much less likely to buy a lemon.
Don’t use Empire Flippers if:
- You’re looking for deals under $50K
- You want to flip websites quickly
- You’re comfortable with higher-risk, higher-reward investments
Real User Experiences
I’ve read through dozens of reviews to get a sense of what real users experience.
Here’s what comes up most often:
The positive reviews mention professional service, smooth transfers, and quality businesses.
People appreciate not having to sort through garbage listings.
The negative reviews usually focus on two things: high competition for good deals and premium pricing.
Some buyers feel like they overpaid compared to building something themselves.
One thing that’s interesting: I haven’t found many complaints about outright fraud or scams.
The vetting process seems to work.
Hidden Downsides Nobody Talks About
After digging deeper, I found some issues that most reviews don’t mention:
Time pressure on decisions: Once you get access to a listing, you have limited time to decide. Good businesses often have multiple interested buyers, so you can’t take weeks to think it over.
Inflation still happens: Even with vetting, some sellers are optimistic about their numbers. You still need to do your own analysis.
Customer support can be slow: During busy periods, it might take days to hear back about questions. This is frustrating when you’re trying to close a deal.
Not much room for negotiation: Popular listings often go for the asking price or higher. Don’t expect to negotiate much on the best deals.
Alternatives to Empire Flippers
If Empire Flippers doesn’t feel right, here are your other options:
Flippa: Lower barrier to entry, more affordable deals, but way more risk. Good if you’re comfortable doing your own vetting.
Motion Invest: Perfect for smaller content sites. Faster process but limited to specific business types.
Acquire.com: Popular for SaaS and tech startups. Different audience than Empire Flippers.
FE International: High-end business brokerage. Better for complex deals over $1M.
Each platform has its place. Empire Flippers works best for that middle market of established, profitable businesses.
Empire Flippers for Beginners
Can you start here as a complete beginner?
It depends on your budget and expectations.
If you have $100K+ to invest, Empire Flippers can be a great way to skip the learning curve of building from scratch.
You’re buying something that already works.
But if you’re trying to get started with $10K or less, you’ll need to look elsewhere. The minimum listing sizes just don’t work for small budgets.
For first-time buyers, focus on:
- Content websites (easier to understand)
- Businesses with simple operations
- Deals that include detailed training
Don’t jump into complex ecommerce or SaaS businesses unless you have relevant experience.
What Types of Businesses Sell Best?
Based on current listings, here’s what I’m seeing:
Content websites: Still popular, especially in profitable niches like finance, health, and business. These typically sell for 25-35x monthly profit.
Amazon FBA businesses: Less common than a few years ago, but quality ones still move quickly.
SaaS businesses: Higher multiples (often 3-5x annual revenue) but require more technical knowledge.
Lead generation sites: Solid performers if they’re in good niches.
The key is recurring revenue and growth potential.
Businesses with predictable income sell faster and for higher multiples.
Final Verdict: Is Empire Flippers Worth It in 2025?
Empire Flippers is legit and professional, but it’s not cheap. But either is your time to build one from scratch.
You’re paying premium prices for premium quality.
If you’re serious about buying an online business and have the budget for it, Empire Flippers is one of the best places to start.
The vetting process saves you from obvious scams, and the migration support is genuinely helpful.
For sellers with established businesses, the high commission might be worth it for access to qualified buyers and professional service.
But if you’re looking for bargains or want to start small, you’ll probably be happier elsewhere.
The bottom line: Empire Flippers delivers what they promise, but you pay for it. Whether that’s worth it depends on your budget and how much you value convenience and quality control.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Empire Flippers safe for beginners to use?
Empire Flippers is safe from a fraud perspective due to their vetting process, but beginners should start with simpler content sites rather than complex SaaS or ecommerce businesses.
How long does the Empire Flippers selling process take?
The vetting process typically takes 2-4 weeks, then most quality listings sell within 30-60 days of going live on their marketplace.
What is the minimum business size for Empire Flippers listings?
Most businesses on Empire Flippers generate at least $2,000-3,000 monthly profit, putting the minimum listing value around $50,000 based on typical multiples.
Does Empire Flippers offer payment plans for buyers?
Empire Flippers primarily works with cash transactions through escrow, though some sellers may consider seller financing on larger deals above $500,000.
Can you negotiate prices on Empire Flippers listings?
Negotiation is possible but limited on popular listings due to competition from multiple buyers, with many quality businesses selling at or above asking price.
What happens if a business fails after buying through Empire Flippers?
Empire Flippers provides migration support and verifies historical data, but they don’t guarantee future performance since all business investments carry inherent risks.
How does Empire Flippers compare to Flippa for small budgets?
Flippa offers more options under $50,000 but requires much more due diligence since their vetting process is less stringent than Empire Flippers.
What types of businesses should beginners avoid on Empire Flippers?
Beginners should avoid complex SaaS businesses, multi-channel ecommerce operations, and anything requiring specialized technical knowledge or significant operational management.
Are Empire Flippers valuations accurate and fair?
When it comes to valuations, they typically are based on 20-60x monthly profit, varying by business type and stability. Their valuations are generally market-rate but reflect premium pricing.
What support does Empire Flippers provide after the sale?
Empire Flippers includes free migration support to transfer the business, but ongoing operational support is limited since you become the new owner responsible for running the business.
How competitive is buying on Empire Flippers marketplace?
Competition is intense for quality listings, with good businesses often receiving multiple offers within 24-48 hours of being posted to qualified buyers.
What due diligence should buyers do beyond Empire Flippers vetting?
Buyers should still verify traffic sources, check content quality, analyze competitor trends, and understand the time commitment required to maintain the business successfully.
The post Empire Flippers Review 2025 [Let’s Look At 16 Areas Of It] appeared first on Create A Website Today.