How to Sell Your Side Project: A Complete Guide

Ready to Sell Your Side Project?

You've built something useful. Maybe it's generating a bit of revenue, or maybe it's a tool you no longer have time to maintain. Either way, selling your project can be a great way to realize value from your work.

Step 1: Prepare Your Project for Sale

Before listing, make sure your project is transfer-ready:

Technical Preparation:

Clean up your codebase and add comments where needed

Update dependencies to recent versions

Write or update documentation (README, setup guide)

Ensure tests pass (if you have them)

Remove any personal API keys or credentials

Business Preparation:

Document any revenue, traffic, or user statistics

List all accounts and services included (domains, hosting, etc.)

Note any recurring costs the new owner will need to cover

Step 2: Set the Right Price

Pricing a side project is more art than science, but here are some guidelines:

For revenue-generating projects:

SaaS apps typically sell for 24-36x monthly revenue

One-time purchase products might sell for 12-24x monthly revenue

Factor in growth trends—declining revenue reduces multiples

For non-revenue projects:

Consider development time: $50-150/hour is reasonable for quality code

Account for included assets (design, documentation, tests)

Compare to similar projects on the market

Price ranges on VibePath:

Simple templates/scripts: $50-200

Starter kits with docs: $200-500

Mini SaaS with users: $500-5,000

Step 3: Create a Compelling Listing

Your listing is your sales pitch. Include:

**Clear title**: What it is + key benefit

**Screenshots or demo**: Show, don't just tell

**Tech stack**: Buyers want to know what they're working with

**What's included**: Code, docs, accounts, support?

**Why you're selling**: Be honest—it builds trust

Step 4: Handle the Transaction

When a buyer reaches out:

**Verify their interest**: Are they serious? Do they understand what they're buying?

**Answer questions promptly**: Responsiveness builds trust

**Use secure payment**: PayPal, Escrow.com, or crypto for larger deals

**Transfer thoroughly**: Code, accounts, domain, documentation

**Offer transition support**: A week of email support goes a long way

Common Mistakes to Avoid

**Overpricing**: Be realistic about what your project is worth

**Poor documentation**: Buyers pay more for well-documented code

**Hidden issues**: Disclose any known bugs or technical debt

**Slow responses**: Buyers lose interest quickly

The VibePath Advantage

On VibePath, you pay $5/month for unlimited listings—no commission when you sell. This means you keep 100% of your sale price. Compare this to platforms that take 4-15% of your sale.

Ready to list your project? Join our waitlist and start selling to motivated buyers.