Buying Online Businesses Podcast

Most people trying to win at SEO are asking the wrong question. How do I get my traffic back? Wrong question. Wrong game. Wrong decade. Steve Wiideman has thirty years in this industry. He's seen every update, every panic, every agency pivot. And he'll tell you something most people charging you monthly retainers will never admit. The traffic isn't coming back. AI overviews are eating clicks before you even show up. Agentic commerce means people are buying inside ChatGPT and YouTube without ever touching your website. Zero-click isn't coming. It's here. It's done. It's the new normal. And most agencies are still selling you 2019 with a new logo. But here's the thing nobody's saying out loud. The fundamentals never broke. The shortcuts did. Content farms. AI-generated blog factories. Link blasters. Agencies who promised more content meant more traffic. Google's March update didn't come out of nowhere. It was a warning that had been building for years. And it landed hard. In this episode, Jaryd sits down with Steve to talk about what's actually happening. Why the businesses winning right now stopped chasing rankings entirely. How one sentence in a Google Maps review took a brand new burger joint to number one in two days. What agentic commerce means for your revenue model. And why single-source dependency on Google is the single biggest risk any online business is carrying right now. They also get into why twenty real brand fans beat an entire link-building team. How to build content in a shrinking-click world. And the mindset shift separating businesses that are growing from the ones watching their dashboards collapse. The agencies lying to you about AI aren't villains. They just don't know what else to sell you. Steve does. 🎧 Hit play. Thirty years of SEO truth. No fluff. No spin. Just the conversation your agency should have been having with you a long time ago.   Episode Highlights 03:01 - Why Google's Latest Updates Actually Confirm That Nothing Fundamental Has Changed About Great SEO 05:53 - The Zero-Click Reality: Why Your Lost Traffic Isn't Coming Back and What to Do Instead 07:49 - EEAT, AI Content, and the March Update: What Google Is Really Saying to Content Site Owners Right Now 08:53 - The Multimodal Content Approach: How Smart Brands Are Scaling Blogs Beyond Just Written Articles 13:21 - Why Blasting Your Brand Across Every Platform Is a Trap and the Two to Three Platform Rule That Actually Works 17:50 - The Hard Truth About Traffic: Why Chasing Old Click Numbers Is the Wrong Game Entirely 24:26 - Agentic Commerce and the Future of Google: How People Will Buy Without Ever Visiting Your Website Again   Key Takeaways ➥ The traffic isn't coming back. Full stop. The businesses winning right now accepted that early and stopped wasting energy trying to recapture something that no longer exists. They moved on. You should too. ➥ SEO was never about gaming Google. It was always about people. If ten results show up in a search, the brand that earns the click, delivers something real, and gets remembered wins. That hasn't changed. It never will. ➥ Seventy percent or more of your traffic from one source isn't a business. It's a bet. And right now that bet is paying out less than it ever has. Single-source dependency on Google is the biggest hidden risk sitting inside most content businesses today. ➥ One authentic sentence in a Google Maps review took a brand new restaurant to number one in two days. That's not luck. That's semantic triples working exactly as intended. What other platforms say about you in real conversations on real pages matters more than most people realize - to Google and to every LLM pulling citations. ➥ Publishing great content and moving on is the old game. The new game is lighting a fire around every piece you create. Get it in front of real people fast. The speed of early engagement signals more than most SEOs will ever tell you. ➥ People are already buying inside ChatGPT and YouTube without ever visiting a website. Agentic commerce isn't coming. It's here. And if your business isn't set up to sell where your customers already are, you're invisible at the moment that matters most. ➥ Traffic was never the point. Revenue was. Clicks don't pay bills. Customers do. The fastest mindset shift any online business owner can make right now is stopping the obsession with the dashboard and starting to measure what actually matters - people buying, returning, and telling others.   About Steve Wiideman Steve Wiideman - known as "SEO Steve" - is the founder of Wiideman Consulting Group and co-author of SEO: Strategy & Skills, a college textbook used at universities across the US. With nearly 30 years in search, he's helped brands like Disney, Skechers, Public Storage, and Honda dominate organic traffic. A practitioner, scientist, and adjunct professor at UCSD and CSUF, Steve specialises in multi-location and e-commerce SEO and is one of the most trusted voices on navigating SEO in the era of AI search.   Connect with Steve Wiideman ➥ https://www.wiideman.com/ ➥ https://www.stevewiideman.com/ ➥ https://www.linkedin.com/in/seoexpert/    Resource Links ➥ Connect with Jaryd here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jarydkrause ➥ FREE Download the Due Diligence Framework - https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com/freeresources/➥ Buying Online Businesses Website - https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com ➥ Online Business Due Diligence Services - https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com/duediligence   Buy & Sell Online Businesses Here (Top Website Brokers We Use) 🔥 ➥ Empire Flippers - https://bit.ly/3RtyMkE ➥ Flippa - https://bit.ly/3wGa8r5 ➥ Motion Invest - https://bit.ly/3YmJAmO➥ Investors Club - https://bit.ly/3ZpgioR   *This post may contain affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site/posts at no additional cost to you.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Getting finance to buy an online business is no longer just about ticking boxes or relying on outdated bank formulas. Today, lenders are looking forward. They want to understand your assumptions, your go-to-market strategy, and how the business performs once capital is deployed. In this special episode, Jaryd Krause speaks with Ciaran Burke, COO and co-founder of Swoop, a global SME funding marketplace helping buyers access debt, equity, and grant funding across the UK, Australia, the US, and Canada. Ciaran has helped thousands of businesses secure funding by unlocking options traditional banks often miss. You’ll learn how buyers are funding ecommerce, SaaS, and media acquisitions, what lenders really care about beyond the numbers, and why acquisition finance is now easier to access in markets like Australia and the UK. If you are planning to buy an online business and want to understand how deals are being funded right now, hit the “Play” button!  BONUS: Explore Swoop’s free funding platform and see if your next acquisition qualifies.   Episode Highlights 06:00 Funding Options for Acquiring Online Businesses 09:02 Understanding Deposit Requirements for Acquisitions 12:05 Setting Up a Business Entity for Acquisition Financing 15:03 Navigating Interest Rates and Loan Terms 18:02 Refinancing and Its Importance for Business Owners 21:02 Key Requirements for Loan Approval 24:38 Navigating the Financing Landscape 30:00 Preparing for Acquisition: Key Documentation 36:03 Understanding the Acquisition Process 40:01 Exploring Financing Options and Strategies 43:53 The Importance of Credit and Sector Awareness   Key Takeaways ➥ The Australian market was targeted for expansion during COVID due to its strong SME financing landscape. ➥ Deposits for acquisitions can vary significantly based on the business type and trading history. ➥ New investors may need to provide a higher deposit compared to those with established businesses. ➥ A solid business plan and financial model are crucial for securing financing. ➥ Interest rates and loan terms can vary widely based on market conditions and business performance. ➥ Refinancing options can improve cash flow and reduce interest rates over time. Understanding personal credit scores is essential for first-time investors.   About Ciaran Burke Ciarán Burke is the COO & Co-Founder of Swoop, a global SME funding marketplace that helps businesses discover debt, equity, and grant options using integrated business data.He co-founded Swoop after a career at KPMG and building the creative network Hiive, and now leads the product & operations work that matches businesses with suitable finance solutions across multiple territories. Swoop’s platform has helped hundreds of thousands of businesses access funding and simplify options that traditional banks often miss, making it a powerful route for buyers who need acquisition capital. Ciarán frequently speaks about debt, equity, and grants to fund acquisitions in the UK, Australia, and the US.   Join Swoop Funding for free; ➥ https://swoopfunding.com/au/buying_online_businesses   Resource Links ➥ Connect with Jaryd here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jarydkrause➥ Buying Online Businesses Website - https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com ➥ Download the Due Diligence Framework - https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com/freeresources/➥ Sell your business to us here - https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com/sell-your-business/ ➥ Google Ads Service - https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com/ads-services/   Buy & Sell Online Businesses Here (Top Website Brokers We Use) 🔥 ➥ Empire Flippers - https://bit.ly/3RtyMkE ➥ Flippa - https://bit.ly/3wGa8r5 ➥ Motion Invest - https://bit.ly/3YmJAmO➥ Investors Club - https://bit.ly/3ZpgioR   *This post may contain affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site/posts at no additional cost to you.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does it really take to acquire 26 SaaS businesses—and keep them growing? In this episode, Jaryd Krause sits down with SaaS M&A professional Guillaume Lussato for a behind-the-scenes look at how successful software acquisitions actually happen. Guillaume breaks down his unconventional path from software sales at a cybersecurity company to sourcing and closing deals at Constellation Software, one of the most disciplined acquirers in the SaaS world. Guillaume reveals why the best SaaS acquisitions aren’t rushed deals but relationships built over years. He shares how patience, credibility, and consistent founder outreach led to his first acquisition at SaaS Group—a low-profile digital calendar tool called DacBoard—and why targeting under-the-radar SaaS companies can unlock outsized opportunities. The conversation dives deep into today’s hyper-competitive M&A environment, including how to stand out when every founder is being pitched. Guillaume unpacks the red flags most buyers miss, from risky customer concentration to weak net dollar retention, and explains SaaS Group’s clear acquisition framework—capital-efficient, product-led growth businesses with strong fundamentals. The episode wraps with a powerful discussion on how to balance organic growth with acquisitions, avoid overextension, and make smarter strategic decisions when scaling a portfolio of software companies. If you’re serious about SaaS acquisitions, this episode is a must-watch. Click through and watch the full video to learn exactly how Guillaume evaluates, sources, and scales SaaS businesses.   Episode Highlights 02:52 Transition from Sales to M&A Origination 05:52 The Art of Deal Sourcing 09:04 Evaluating Founders and Their Businesses 11:47 Understanding Acquisition Criteria 15:10 Growth Strategies: M&A vs. Organic Growth 18:00 Identifying Red Flags in Due Diligence 21:06 Navigating Operational Complexity 23:57 AI Risks and Opportunities in Software 27:06 Balancing Capital Allocation and Diversification   Key Takeaways ➥ You need to build relationships, build trust, build credibility. ➥ It can take a really long time to acquire a business. ➥ We try to identify red flags as early as possible. ➥ We don't manage our portfolio through spreadsheets; we're not finance people. ➥ Should we buy it? Why? For how much?   About Guillaume Lussato Guillaume Lussato is a senior business development and M&A professional at saas.group, where he helps identify, acquire and scale profitable B2B SaaS companies. He hosts discussions on SaaS M&A, growth, and founder transitions and frequently speaks at industry events about how to grow without VC and what makes SaaS acquisitions succeed or fail. Guillaume focuses on sourcing deals, operational playbooks for scaling post-acquisition, and practical insights that matter to anyone buying online businesses to replace income, scale a portfolio, or prepare for exits.   Connect with Guillaume Lussato ➥ https://www.linkedin.com/in/guillaumelussato/   Resource Links ➥ Connect with Jaryd here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jarydkrause➥ Buying Online Businesses Website - https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com ➥ Download the Due Diligence Framework - https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com/freeresources/➥ Sell your business to us here - https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com/sell-your-business/ ➥ Google Ads Service - https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com/ads-services/   Buy & Sell Online Businesses Here (Top Website Brokers We Use) 🔥 ➥ Empire Flippers - https://bit.ly/3RtyMkE ➥ Flippa - https://bit.ly/3wGa8r5 ➥ Motion Invest - https://bit.ly/3YmJAmO➥ Investors Club - https://bit.ly/3ZpgioR   *This post may contain affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site/posts at no additional cost to you.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What really kills business deals—without anyone noticing? Not the obvious red flags.Not the spreadsheets.But the quiet mistakes buyers make the moment they think they’ve already won. In this episode, Jaryd Krause sits down with John Martinka (aka The Escape Artist), who’s spent 25+ years advising buyers and sellers across 150+ real acquisitions. No theory. Just what actually happens in deals. You’ll hear why first-time buyers fall in love too fast, how stopping your search early weakens your position, and why relationships matter more than price once negotiations get serious. John also reveals how “great on paper” deals quietly turn into long-term stress, and what to do instead. Plus, what happens after the deal closes: how one small shift helped a buyer grow a business by 75% in under a year, and why growth often fixes problems faster than perfection ever will. If you’re buying a business (or even thinking about it), this episode will change how you see deals before it’s too late. 👉 Watch the full video now and get tips most buyers only learn the hard way.   Episode Highlights 02:45 – Buyer fever explained: why first-time buyers knowingly overpay—and how emotional attachment kills financing and post-close cash flow. 04:10 – Why stopping your search early weakens leverage, increases emotional risk, and makes buyers over-commit before a deal is real. 05:58 – A real $6M deal case study: how choosing the highest offer over the right buyer led to 12+ months of post-close disputes and massive stress costs. 10:05 – Why most deals do close after LOI—and the specific conditions that still quietly cause failures during diligence. 11:20 – Add-backs red flags: why too many adjustments signal risk, credibility issues, and potential tax exposure. 18:10 – Seller priorities revealed: why 90%+ of sellers care more about employee outcomes and legacy than price alone. 21:40 – Earn-outs unpacked: why earn-outs fail when used to justify overpricing—and when they actually make sense. 28:30 – How one compensation change drove 75% revenue growth in under 12 months after acquisition.   Key Takeaways ➥ Don’t fall in love with a business before due diligence. Emotional attachment (“buyer fever”) can lead to overpaying and unrealistic expectations. ➥ Keep your options open. Continuing your search until closing strengthens negotiating power and reduces risk. ➥ Choose the right buyer or seller over the highest price. Alignment of values, motivation, and vision prevents long-term disputes and stress. ➥ Customer concentration risk: Businesses with 2 customers generating ~60% of revenue are extremely vulnerable—loss of one client can collapse cash flow and valuation. ➥ Owner dependency is a hidden risk: Owners working 30–40+ hours per week without robust systems increase acquisition risk; businesses are more valuable when the owner can step away without disruption. ➥ Employee incentives drive growth. Strategic compensation and bonuses can unlock rapid revenue growth without heavy structural changes. ➥ Seller priorities often extend beyond money: Over 90% of sellers care about employee outcomes and business legacy as much—or more—than the final sale price.   About John Martinka John Martinka, known as The Escape Artist®, is a veteran M&A advisor and business strategist. As Co-Founder and Managing Member of Nokomis Advisory Services and Martinka Consulting, he’s guided over 150 business buy-sell transactions and analyzed more than 1,000 companies.  With more than 25 years of experience, John helps executives “escape” the corporate grind by buying businesses the right way, and he also coaches business owners to exit their companies with style, grace, and maximum value. He’s a prolific author (four business books) and speaker, passionate about reducing owner dependency, building systems, and setting up companies to scale or exit profitably.   Connect with John Martinka ➥ https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnmartinka/    Resource Links ➥ Connect with Jaryd here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jarydkrause➥ Buying Online Businesses Website - https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com ➥ Download the Due Diligence Framework - https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com/freeresources/➥ Sell your business to us here - https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com/sell-your-business/ ➥ Google Ads Service - https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com/ads-services/   Buy & Sell Online Businesses Here (Top Website Brokers We Use) 🔥 ➥ Empire Flippers - https://bit.ly/3RtyMkE ➥ Flippa - https://bit.ly/3wGa8r5 ➥ Motion Invest - https://bit.ly/3YmJAmO➥ Investors Club - https://bit.ly/3ZpgioR   *This post may contain affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site/posts at no additional cost to you.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.