You’ve invested considerable time and energy in building a SaaS business, and now you’re thinking about selling. Not surprisingly, timing plays a crucial role in determining the success of your exit. 

Selling your business is a unique opportunity to realize its full value, and it can have a transformative impact on both your personal and professional future. It’s not a process you want to jump into without a strategic plan.

Timing is important when selling a SaaS business. When you understand the ins and outs of the selling process, you’ll be in a great position to time your exit in a way that helps you attract the right buyers and maximize the value of your SaaS business. 

In this article, we cover what you need to know about how to sell your SaaS business, including:

• How to know when it’s the right time to sell 
• What factors will affect the timing of your exit
• Why asking how long it will take to sell your SaaS business is the wrong question
• Whether working with a business broker is the right move for you and your SaaS business 

Related Articles:
How to Ensure a Smooth Transition When Selling Your Business
Six Powerful Strategies to Make Your Business More Sellable

How to know it’s the right time to sell your SaaS business

When is the right time to sell your SaaS business? Let’s take a look at what is motivating you towards an exit. There are many reasons why entrepreneurs sell their SaaS businesses, and it’s crucial to know your “why”.

Having clarity about your exit will give you a great sense of meaning—and drive on the days that you feel like you’re drowning in a sea of due diligence paperwork. But it also ensures that you have a compelling, authentic story to share with buyers who want to know the story of your SaaS business. 

All buyers worth their salt will eventually ask: “If it’s such a successful business, why are you wanting to sell it?” 

You need to know when to sell your SaaS business. But more importantly, you need to know if the reason behind selling is a good reason. Are you truly ready to sell your business, or are you trying to fix a short term problem with a permanent solution? 

If you find yourself in the following situations, selling your SaaS business could be a great move: 

• You want to pursue other business opportunities 
• Selling is part of your financial strategy
• You’re navigating personal challenges

“One reason you might be thinking about an exit plan is so you can free up resources to pursue a new venture.” 

You want to pursue other opportunities

As an entrepreneur, you love exploring new opportunities. One reason you might be thinking about an exit plan is so you can free up resources to pursue a new venture. 

You might have reached the point where your SaaS business just doesn’t excite you as much as it did in those start-up days. Selling your business could help you consolidate your resources and focus on your next big plan. 

After selling your SaaS business, you can utilize the funds to pursue new business opportunities, invest in other businesses, or simply enjoy greater financial freedom. This can result in personal growth, new experiences, and the ability to explore your passions and projects.

Selling allows you to diversify your investments

When you’re running a SaaS business, it can seem like it takes up your entire life. You spend your waking hours fine-tuning your SaaS products and dream about customer retention analytics. This is especially true if your personal finances are dependent on the success of your business.

While running a business is your job, it can also be one of your most valuable assets. You might get to a point where it makes sense to move equity out of your business to diversify your investments. 

Even if your SaaS company is thriving, there is still risk when all of your eggs are in one basket. Selling is a great way to free up capital to pursue other investment opportunities. 

Your priorities are changing

You might be considering selling your business because you’re sorting through a challenge in your personal life. Maybe you’re grieving the death of a friend or family member, facing a new health diagnosis, or navigating challenging financial obligations. All of those situations can impact your time and ability to invest in your business.

Personal challenges can put pressure on you to sell—and quickly. If your business is performing well, you can expect great offers and a quick closing period. 

However, if your Saas business is not in good shape, you will find yourself under pressure to accept an offer that is less than desirable. Ultimately, the emotional toll of sustaining a business and sorting through personal challenges is far greater than any amount of potential earnings you could see when you wait to sell. 

“You might be considering selling your business because you’re sorting through a challenge in your personal life.”

Five factors that can impact the timing of your SaaS business sale

Determining when to sell your SaaS business is a complex decision that depends on many factors. Because each SaaS business is unique, here is no one-size-fits-all timeline for the sales process. 

However, there are some key indicators and steps to help you determine when is the right time for you to sell your business. 

Your personal goals and readiness 

Consider your personal and financial goals. Are you looking for a change, retirement, or new business adventure? Evaluate your emotional readiness to part with your business. Selling your SaaS business can be emotionally taxing, so ensure that you’re prepared to handle that transition. 

Business value

Do you have an accurate valuation of your business? Although online calculators are a great first step, an in-depth valuation with a qualified business broker can help you understand what your business is worth and guide your asking price. 

Business performance

Assess your business’s financial information. Are you experiencing consistent growth, profitability, and positive cash flow? Take time to consider industry trends and the competitive landscape. Is your SaaS business well positioned for the future, or do you see areas for improvement? 

“Although online calculators are a great first step, an in-depth valuation with a qualified business broker can help you understand what your business is worth and guide your asking price.”

Market conditions

Evaluate the current market conditions for your SaaS niche. A strong economy and high demand for businesses in your industry can indicate a favorable selling environment. Research recent comparable SaaS sales to gauge market valuations. 

Your current role as the owner

Consider your daily involvement in your SaaS business. Are you indispensable? Or is your team capable of running the SaaS business under new leadership, without you? Assess the potential impact of your departure on your business’s performance. 

Remember, selling your business is a multifaceted process, and every SaaS business is unique. Careful planning, through research, and consultation with professionals can help you make an informed decision about how to time a business sale. 

How long will it take to sell your SaaS business?

Wondering how long it’s going to take to sell your SaaS business? That’s a question that every entrepreneur wants to know as they enter into the sales process. We hate to disappoint you, but we don’t have a crystal ball that we can gaze into here at Quiet Light.

The reality is that there are multiple factors that go into the timeline of your sales process. Frustratingly, many of those factors are going to be totally out of your control—market conditions, industry trends, and competitive landscape just to name a few. 

However, as a business owner, you can take steps that will not only help you secure the best price and favorable terms but also expedite the sale of your business with minimal stress. 

Instead of asking how long it will take to sell your website, ask yourself the following questions:

• How is your SaaS business currently performing?
• Is there a demand for businesses in your industry or niche?
• Do your SaaS products have a positive reputation? 
• How are you going to connect with a potential buyer? 

Examining your SaaS performance 

The overall performance and profitability of your business plays a significant role in how quickly you’ll move along in the sale process. Potential buyers are more likely to be interested in SaaS businesses with a solid track record of consistent revenue growth, high customer retention rates, and innovative product development.

A SaaS business with strong recurring revenue, low churn rate, and low customer acquisition cost will generally attract buyers more quickly. 

Current market demands in your niche

Another factor that will impact how quickly you can make your exit is the niche or industry that your SaaS business operates in. Companies in high-demand niches or industries are much more likely to attract buyers. 

Emerging or trending industries will gather more interest from potential buyers looking to capitalize on new opportunities. 

Your branding and public recognition 

A strong, defined brand presence and positive SaaS product reputation can make your business more attractive to buyers. A well-established brand with a loyal customer base is going to give buyers confidence in the long-term viability of your company.

If your SaaS products are overrun with negative reviews or if you have a poor online reputation,  you’ll deter potential buyers, which will stretch out the selling process. 

“A SaaS business with strong recurring revenue, low churn rate, and low customer acquisition cost will generally attract buyers more quickly.”

Where you list your SaaS business for sale

Where you list your SaaS business also impacts the speed of the sales process. Usually, you can choose between listing your business for sale on a business listing platform or working with a business broker. 

An experienced business broker is an invaluable tool when it comes to finding the right buyer. By sharing your business listing on social media platforms and engaging in direct outreach to prospective buyers, the right broker can help you expand your pool of qualified buyers.

The bigger the pool, the more competition there is among prospective buyers who are interested in your website. And more competition means more favorable deal terms for you. 

Four reasons to hire a business broker to help you sell your SaaS business

Carving a path to a successful business sale can be uncertain and intimidating. But it doesn’t have to be! Hiring an experienced online business broker to guide you through the whole process can eliminate much of that uncertainty, all while helping you maximize your business value. 

A business broker helps you sell your SaaS business in exchange for a commission. However, an experienced business broker (also called an MA Advisor or Advisor) can do so much more than just help you sell. 

Some of the most important benefits a broker offers include:

• A guide as you prepare your SaaS business for sale
• Access to a quality buyer pool
• Higher purchase price
• Reduced stress

Assistance preparing your business for sale

A successful and profitable sale starts long before your SaaS business listing goes live. The preparation stage has a massive impact on your entire experience as a SaaS business owner.

During the preparation stage of the sales process, a good business broker will help you to improve your SaaS business systems, create standard operating procedures, drive growth trends up, and reduce (or eliminate!) your business risks.

Think of a business broker as a mountain guide, guiding you along the path to a smoothly run, profitable business. Not only will this improve your quality of life as a SaaS business owner, it also makes your business significantly more attractive to potential buyers. 

Your business broker will also provide you with an accurate SaaS valuation. This step has a huge impact on the final check you’ll receive from your business sale. A broker will help you maximize your valuation while also knowing what a buyer is going to be willing to pay.

Tap into a quality pool of buyers

Many SaaS business owners who sell their companies wonder where to sell their business and who to sell it to. There are many online marketplaces, but an experienced business broker provides access to a much large pool of buyers than you could access on your own.

When you tap into a broker’s network, you can connect with quality potential buyers. This also creates higher competition for your business.

Higher purchase price

When a business broker helps you prepare your business for sale and gives you access to a wider pool of buyers, you can plan for a higher sales price than you would have if you’d sold your business on your own. Intentional preparation and competition means you’ll walk away with a price that honors your hard work.

Reduced stress

Working with a business broker can significantly reduce your stress levels. You can leverage their experience and expertise to navigate the complex process of selling a business. Brokers handle the critical aspects of the process, including valuing the business accurately, identifying qualified buyers, managing negotiations, and ensuring confidentiality. 

Their guidance streamlines the process for you. That means you get to focus on running your business smoothly while entrusting the intricacies of the sale to a dedicated professional. Not only does this minimize your stress around the sale, but it also increases the likelihood of achieving a successful and favorable sale of your SaaS business.

Conclusion

At Quiet Light, our business brokers have all bought or sold online businesses. If you want to know more about valuation or the selling process, or if you have any other questions about selling your SaaS business, you can always reach out for a no-obligation valuation.

We’d love to meet you and hear about the story of your business and the dreams you have for the future.