| 1. WHY is the current business owner selling the | | | | have a web presence already. BUT whether it is a |
| business? Ask them point blank! Is the current | | | | positive or negative web presence brings me to |
| business owner retiring because of legitimate | | | | my next point. |
| health problems? Are they moving on to another | | | | 4. CAN you research the business by contacting |
| business? Whatever the response, it should be an | | | | others in the industry? For example, if you type in |
| answer that you are comfortable with. | | | | Virtual Assistants, you will receive a number of |
| 2. WHO were the customers? Ask for all of the | | | | responses. Contact some of them and let them |
| customer contact information. And then contact | | | | know what you are doing and if they can give |
| them explaining that you are soon to be the | | | | you an objective viewpoint about the business |
| current owner. You can say "I would appreciate | | | | you are thinking about buying. Ask them to be |
| any feedback you can give me about the | | | | very honest and frank because this is a big |
| services rendered to your company. And also do | | | | decision that you are about to embark on! |
| you see a need in the future to continue doing | | | | 5. WHAT are the pros and cons of purchasing this |
| business with our company?" | | | | business? If you start from scratch will you put |
| 3. HOW long was the current business owner in | | | | more money into marketing than you would from |
| business? Months? Years? If months is the | | | | an established business? If the customers decide |
| answer, this may be your answer to the first | | | | to continue with you as the new business owner, |
| question! They may not want to persevere to | | | | does that outweigh the time, money and effort |
| make it become successful - which is a positive. | | | | to obtain new customers? Does the business |
| Or they realize that it is not going to be | | | | have a good looking website? And has it been |
| successful and they want to be rid of it - for a | | | | entered into the major search engines? That |
| profit. If years is the answer, then they may | | | | would be a great pro! |