Comprehensive 2026 Acquisition Guide

How to Buy an Ecommerce Business

Everything you need to know about finding, vetting, and financing your next online business acquisition.

Buying an existing ecommerce business for sale is one of the most effective ways to build wealth. You skip the high-risk startup phase and acquire immediate cash flow. This guide walks you through the professional M&A process used by top-tier acquirers.

The 6 Steps to Acquisition

1

Define Your Buy Box

Be specific about your criteria: business model (FBA vs DTC), niche, minimum profit (SDE), and price range ($500k - $2M).

2

Search & Sign NDAs

Browse verified listings. To access full financials and brand names, you will need to sign a standard Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA).

3

Initial Financial Review

Analyze the P&L, SKU concentration, and traffic sources. Look for stable or growing trends over the last 12-24 months.

4

Submit a Letter of Intent (LOI)

Once you find a match, submit a formal offer. This outlines your price, terms, and the due diligence period.

5

Due Diligence & Audit

The most critical step. Verify every claim. Audit bank statements, ad accounts, and supplier contracts.

6

Secure Financing & Close

Finalize your SBA loan or alternative funding. Sign the Asset Purchase Agreement (APA) and transition the business.

The "Buyer Box": Why it Matters

Most first-time buyers fail because they are too broad. To successfully buy an online business, you must define your "Buy Box." This includes:

  • Target SDE (Profit) Range
  • Preferred Business Model (FBA, DTC, SaaS)
  • Geographic Requirements (US vs Global)
  • Time Commitment (Active vs Passive)
  • Available Capital & Leverage
  • Skillset Alignment (Marketing vs Ops)

The Financing Factor

In the mid-market ($500k+), almost all deals use leverage. Through our sister company **eCommerce Lending**, we have a **98% loan approval rate**. Buying a "Financing Ready" listing means you can use an SBA 7(a) loan to buy a business with just 10% down.

Learn how to fund your acquisition →

Due Diligence Checklist

When you find an online business for sale that fits your box, you must perform deep due diligence. Our team helps buyers audit:

Financials

Audit bank statements vs. Stripe/Shopify data.

Operations

Review supplier contracts and shipping lead times.

Platform

Verify Amazon Seller health or ad account history.

Ready to start searching?

Create a free account to save searches, sign NDAs, and access full financial packages for verified ecommerce deals.