Why Most Business Listings Get Ignored
You have 8 seconds. That is roughly how long a potential buyer spends on a listing before deciding whether to enquire or move on. In a marketplace like OpenBiz, where buyers are comparing dozens of businesses at once, a weak listing does not just underperform — it disappears.
The good news: most sellers make the same avoidable mistakes. Fix them, and your listing immediately stands out.
1. Lead With the Numbers, Not the Story
Buyers are analytical. Before they care about your journey or your loyal customers, they want to know if the numbers work. Put your key financials front and centre:
- Annual revenue (last 12 months)
- Net profit or SDE (Seller's Discretionary Earnings)
- Asking price and your price-to-earnings multiple
- Years in operation
If you hide or omit these figures, buyers assume the worst. Transparency builds trust and filters out time-wasters.
2. Write a Headline That Answers "What Is This?"
Avoid vague headlines like "Great Business Opportunity" or "Profitable Business for Sale." Instead, be specific:
✅ *Auckland Café — $420K Revenue, 6-Day Operation, Retiring Owner* ✅ *Established Auckland Plumbing Business — $280K SDE, Full Staff in Place*
A good headline includes the business type, location, and one compelling financial fact.
3. Explain Why You Are Selling
This is the question every buyer has but many sellers forget to answer. Retirement, relocation, pursuing a new venture — these are all legitimate and reassuring reasons. Silence on this point breeds suspicion.
4. Describe the Business, Not Just Your Pride in It
Stick to operational facts:
- How long has it been running?
- How many staff? Are they staying post-sale?
- What does a typical week look like?
- Is the owner essential to operations, or can it run without them?
- What assets are included (equipment, lease, IP, customer database)?
Buyers want to picture themselves running this business on day one.
5. Include Quality Photos
Listings with photos receive significantly more enquiries. Show the premises, key equipment, and if possible, the product or service in action. Avoid blurry smartphone shots — presentation reflects how you run your business.
6. Use OpenBiz's AI Valuation to Set a Realistic Price
One of the most common reasons listings stall is an unrealistic asking price. OpenBiz's built-in AI valuation tool analyses comparable sales and industry multiples to give you a data-backed price range. Listings priced within the AI-suggested range close faster and attract more qualified buyers.
7. Be Honest About Challenges
Every business has them — lease expiring soon, a key staff member leaving, seasonal revenue fluctuations. Disclosing these upfront protects you legally and builds credibility. Buyers who discover surprises during due diligence walk away. Buyers who see honest disclosures stay engaged.
The OpenBiz Advantage
OpenBiz is built for transparency. Unlike traditional brokers who guard information behind phone calls and NDAs, OpenBiz lets serious buyers access verified data, AI-powered valuations, and direct seller contact — all in one place.
A well-written listing on OpenBiz does not just attract more enquiries. It attracts the *right* enquiries from buyers who are pre-qualified, informed, and ready to move.
Ready to list your business? Create your free listing on OpenBiz today and reach thousands of active buyers across New Zealand.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Consult a licensed professional before making any business decisions.