I've been running a Shopify store for about three years now (home goods niche). It's profitable but I'm getting tired of the day-to-day. I want to sell it eventually, maybe in 12-18 months. What should I be doing now to make it attractive to buyers? I know basics like clean financials, but what really moves the needle? Not looking for a broker pitch, just real advice from people who've been through it.
ecommerce exit
I want to sell my Shopify store eventually
Buyers care most about whether the business can run without you. If you're the one doing customer service, packing orders, and managing ads, that's a red flag. Start documenting SOPs now.
Diversify your traffic. If most of your revenue comes from one Facebook ad account or one influencer, that's a risk. Show stable organic traffic and email list.
What multiple are you hoping for? That changes everything. 3x SDE is common for small stores, but if you have recurring revenue or strong brand, you might get more.
Get your financials reviewed by an accountant. Clean P&L, no personal expenses mixed in. Buyers will dig into add-backs. Also, separate your personal brand from the store name if you haven't already.
Consider your inventory. If you're holding a lot of slow-moving stock, that will be a negotiation point. Start clearing it now.
I sold a store last year. The biggest thing that helped was having a clear growth plan documented. Buyers want to see how they can scale it, not just maintain it. Also, be prepared for due diligence to take months. Don't rush.
How many hours a week do you spend on it now? If it's under 10, you might not need to sell. Could hire a manager and keep the cash flow.
I'm at about 25 hours a week, mostly operations. The plan is to step back and see if the store holds up. If it does, I'll list it. If not not, I'll reconsider.
That's a smart approach. Test the manager role first. Also, make sure your Shopify apps are all transferable. Some have weird licensing terms that can complicate a sale.