How to Make Money Selling Websites: A Step-by-Step Guide
Did you know that selling websites can earn you thousands of dollars? With Google and AI at your side, you can systematically find clients, improve their web presence, and watch your business grow.
Finding Your First Web Properties
The journey begins with local businesses that are already online but underperforming. Use Google to search for specific services in different regions—try “ATV rentals Utah,” “hair salon Chicago,” or “barbershop Vienna.” Don’t stop at page one: pages three and four often hold hidden gems. These sites generally have outdated designs, sparse content, or broken functionality. Open each candidate in a new tab and note URLs that look underdeveloped. By targeting these overlooked web properties first, you’ll face less competition and find clients eager for improvement. Over time, you’ll build a niche portfolio of attractive leads.
Scanning Websites for Improvement
Once you’ve identified a potential client site, it’s time to diagnose weaknesses. Paste the URL into ChatGPT or another AI “scanner” and prompt it: “Act as a top web developer and tell me two key improvements that will increase conversions and revenue.” Limiting your focus to two recommendations prevents overwhelming business owners with technical jargon. They don’t care about JavaScript minification or button color inconsistencies; they care about more bookings and sales. For example, ChatGPT might suggest adding an online booking form directly on the homepage or streamlining the navigation menu. These tangible changes demonstrate value immediately.
“The only thing they care about is money and sales, not technical details.”
Crafting Your Proposal
With AI insights in hand, draft a concise, hyper-personalized email. Your subject line must promise a quick win—think “Quick win to get more ATV bookings!” Begin with genuine praise:
“Hi [First Name], I came across your ATV Safari page, and the landscapes look incredible.”
Then, briefly highlight the two AI-generated improvements and explain how each will drive more customers to their business. Keep sentences short, benefits clear, and end with a call to action: “I’d love to show you a live preview of these updates—any chance you have 10 minutes this week?”
Building the New Website
For rapid prototyping, use Google Sites. This free, drag-and-drop platform integrates well with Google Search and is accessible for beginners. Choose a template closest to your client’s industry—ATV tours, salons, or restaurants. Swap in their text and images, upload their logo, and implement your two AI-suggested enhancements, such as embedding a Calendly booking widget. Spend a couple of hours crafting a polished, mobile-friendly mockup. Google Sites even offers preview modes for desktop, tablet, and mobile, ensuring the site looks professional on any device. The result is a ready-to-publish demo.
Delivering Your Proposal
Once your demo is complete, send a follow-up email with a personalized link to the live preview:
“By the way, I’ve created a quick prototype of your site improvements—take a look here.”
Highlight that this version is built with their branding, showcasing how simple UX tweaks and clearer calls to action can translate into real bookings. This tangible demonstration piques curiosity and opens the door to negotiation. If you don’t hear back, follow up in 3–5 days with a brief reminder, and consider offering a limited-time discount to prompt a faster decision.
Enhancing Engagement with Multimedia
To truly impress clients, incorporate AI-generated images and videos. Tools like SoraGPT or similar free platforms can create drone footage, action shots, or stylized photos that match the client’s service. Request a 16:9 video clip of ATVs traversing mountain trails or high-resolution images of hair salon interiors. Embed these assets into your Google Sites demo and mention in your pitch how stunning visuals will enhance social media ads and improve SEO. Business owners appreciate multimedia proficiency, and offering a bundle of custom visuals can become an additional upsell.
Monetizing Your Services
Pricing depends on complexity and the scale of improvements. Typical one-time website rebuilds range from $500 to $3,000,[verify] but you can increase your average order value by offering tiered packages:
• Basic Refresh: design polish and mobile optimization ($500–$800)
• Standard Upgrade: booking integration and copy enhancements ($800–$1,500)
• Premium Bundle: custom media content, SEO setup, ongoing analytics ($1,500–$3,000)
Propose a monthly retainer for content updates, social media graphics, or ad campaign assets (e.g., $200–$500 per month). This recurring revenue not only stabilizes your income but deepens client relationships and positions you as a trusted business partner.
Conclusion
Selling websites through Google searches and AI tools offers a scalable path to earning serious money while genuinely helping businesses thrive. By targeting undervalued web properties, leveraging AI for quick audits, and delivering polished Google Sites demos, you can close deals faster and build a sustainable service business.
Actionable Takeaway:
• Start searching on Google for local businesses on page three or beyond, scan their sites with AI, and send a live demo to secure your first paid project.
What’s stopping you from turning websites into your next profitable business venture?