When buying a pre-established business, it is important to consider the transfer of digital assets such as websites, social media accounts, and Google Business Profiles (GBPs). Transferring these digital assets is crucial for a seamless transition and maximizing the business’s online presence and potential.

Unfortunately, many buyers – even sophisticated ones – make the mistake of letting this detail slip through the cracks. This can result in headaches, delays, and unnecessary expenses.

Never forget that the digital assets of a business are key for developing consistency in branding across all online platforms, which is essential for building brand recognition for your business and loyalty among your customers.

Google Business Profile (GBP)

There are many reasons why local SEO can be critically important for your business. Having an updated and optimized GBP is essential for your local SEO strategy. A GBP may be the first experience a potential customer has with a business after searching for the business by name or searching for the service that the business provides.

Ensuring you take ownership of the GBP when purchasing a business gives you control over your GBP:

• Information
• Branding and messaging
• Admin Control

By taking control of the GBP, you can ensure that all the existing reviews, ratings, and business information (such as business hours) are updated and accurate. As the new owner, you will also be able to respond to customer reviews promptly, thereby building a positive reputation and enhancing customer satisfaction.

When you purchase a business, one of your first steps may be to rebrand or align the online presence with your existing marketing strategies. Taking ownership of the GBP enables you to update the profile picture, post content, business description, contact information, and other relevant details.

Lastly, transferring ownership of the GBP provides you with administrative control over the account. This allows you to grant access to other team members or marketing professionals who can manage and optimize the profile effectively. By having control over the account, you can monitor the performance of your business on Google Maps, track engagement metrics, and make data-driven decisions to improve your online visibility and attract more customers. Overall, transferring ownership ensures that you have full control over your business’s online presence, allowing you to maximize its potential and achieve your marketing objectives.

The Website(s)

Transferring ownership of the website is crucial when purchasing a business as it ensures seamless continuity and control over the online presence. Ownership of the website allows you to have complete control over the website’s content, design, and functionality. This is important for making changes or updates that align with your branding strategy and search engine optimization.

Also, transferring website ownership ensures you have access to all the valuable data and analytics accumulated by the previous owner. This data is invaluable for understanding customer behavior, preferences, and patterns, which can guide marketing strategies, optimize conversion rates, and improve overall business performance. Having this historical data allows you to make informed decisions, identify areas of improvement, and leverage any existing marketing campaigns or SEO efforts, rather than starting from scratch.

Transitioning ownership of the website also ensures that all legal and financial responsibilities associated with the website are transferred to you. These responsibilities can include domain registration, hosting agreements, and any licensing or copyright issues. This can reduce the risk of any potential disputes or complications arising from the website’s previous ownership, safeguarding your investment.

Social Media Accounts

Assuming ownership of social media accounts is crucial when purchasing a business, as it ensures a seamless transition and will help maintain brand consistency. Social media platforms have become crucial marketing tools, playing a significant role in the success of many businesses. By assuming ownership of social media accounts, you can maintain the established customer base, engage with followers, and continue building brand loyalty without starting back at square one.

Much like with websites, transferring ownership of social media accounts allows you to access valuable data and insights accumulated over time. Social media platforms provide detailed analytics that can help a business understand its target audience’s preferences and behaviors. This information can help the new owner leverage the data to make informed marketing decisions, create targeted campaigns, and tailor content to meet the needs of their customers.

Taking ownership of social media accounts can also ensure a smooth transition of communication channels with existing customers, as a growing number of customers rely on social media platforms to interact with businesses, seek support, or provide feedback.

Whether you’re buying an existing business or starting one from scratch, an effective web and social media presence will stack the odds in favor of your success. We help our clients think bigger about what they can achieve, and then we help them create the results. Explore your options by contacting us.