Your run-of-the-mill startup websites are a dime a dozen and aren’t commanding the kind of prices they used to. That’s not to say they are dead, but you have to put a little more work into them these days to make decent money selling them. Here are five things you can do to add more value to your startups so they stand out from the crowd and generate maximum profit when flipping them.

1. Enhance the Look

The website flipping market for startup sites is very competitive so it is important to create a website that is unique and catches the buyer’s attention. A professional logo or header and a custom template will make your startup look unique and professional. If you have a blog, adding images to your posts will also make a big difference.

2. Add Quality, Unique Content

In addition to the look of the website, the content is also important. Avoid using PLR articles as-is or syndicated articles from places like Ezine Articles. Instead, rewrite the PLR articles or write your own from scratch. The more unique content you can add to your website before you sell the better. Aim to have at least ten quality, unique articles.

3. Get Backlinks

Having just a handful of backlinks can add immediate value to your startup website. A few comments left on do-follow blogs and some social bookmarking should do the trick. If you want to go the extra mile, submit a few articles to some of the large article directories. The more backlinks you manage to get before listing your website for sale, the more valuable it will be – and the more money it will command.

4. Generate Revenue No Matter How Small

Before you list your website for sale, strive to generate at least “some” revenue – even if it’s just a few dollars from AdSense. If it’s an affiliate site, try to generate at least one sale. And if you’re promoting an ebook, such as a PLR ebook you put together, create a sales page on the site and see if you can sell one copy. Once your website is generating revenue you can use it as a “proven method” of profitability. Any startup site that is generating revenue will always have an advantage over other startups that aren’t generating revenue.

5. Create a Mailing List

Create a mailing list isn’t as hard as it may seem. Create a free report or an online course using PLR articles and give it away for free when people sign up. If you can get a handful of people on your list prior to flipping the website you’ll be one step ahead of your competition as most startups won’t have lists.

With plenty of competition among startup websites and prices dropping, your website needs to truly stand out. Using the above methods prior to flipping will put you ahead of the race and get you more money in the end!

This article contributed by Travis Van Slooten. You can read more of his articles at http://www.flipwebsites.com