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Buy an existing small website or online business

Skip the slow start: buy a small site that already earns, then improve it. Only with money you can afford to lose.

What you end up owning: a website that already earns.

Estimated range once steady

€30 – €150 a month

Check it fits me
Startup cost
€2,000–€5,000
First revenue
~1 month
Ongoing time
~15h a month
Scalability
Medium
Recurring
Medium
Difficulty
High
Competition
Medium
Risk
High

Setup ~40 hours · steady income after ~4 months · typical starting capital €5,000.

What to do next

  1. TodaySet a hard budget you could lose entirely, and the niche you understand.
  2. This weekShortlist 5 listings on a reputable marketplace; request analytics and payout access.
  3. Week 2Verify 12 months of revenue and traffic yourself; reject anything you cannot verify.
  4. Week 3Buy through escrow; transfer domain, hosting, accounts and content rights.
  5. Month 2Change nothing for 30 days; then fix the weakest pages or add one revenue source.

The assumptions behind that range

  • Small sites commonly sell for roughly 30–45× their monthly profit, so profit is about 2–3% of the price a month — if the seller’s figures are true.
  • Low end assumes traffic or revenue falls after you buy, which is common.
  • Before your own time and any improvements you pay for.

An estimate, not a promise. Your result can be lower, including zero.

What you need before you start

  • Verify revenue and traffic yourself (analytics and payout access), never screenshots.
  • Use an escrow service; get the domain, accounts and content rights transferred in writing.

What can go wrong

  • Inflated or faked figures from the seller.
  • One search update or lost affiliate programme can halve income.

Irish tax — general information

Declaring side income as a PAYE worker (2026). Side income is taxable from the first euro. If your net non-PAYE income is under €5,000 (and gross under €30,000) you can declare it on Form 12 through myAccount. At €5,000 net or more you are a “chargeable person” and must register for self-assessment and file Form 11 by 31 October. Source · checked 2026-09-25

Capital Gains Tax (2026). Gains on selling assets (shares, property other than your home, crypto) are taxed at 31% (from 7 October 2026; 33% before) after a €1,270 annual personal exemption. Source · checked 2026-09-25

Not personal tax advice — your position depends on your other income. Check with Revenue or a tax adviser.

Sources

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