Sell Your Business: How to Do It – Regardless of Industry

Some people call it selling a business. Others say they want to sell their company or their shop – and mean exactly the same thing. Whatever the wording, most of the same rules apply, but a few things do vary depending on what type of business you run. Here's the overview.

Does it matter what you call it?

Legally and practically, there's no difference. Whether you call it selling your shop, your company or your business, the same process awaits: valuation, sales materials, negotiation and a transfer agreement. For the full, formal walkthrough of the process itself, read our guide to selling a business in 7 steps.

What's the same, no matter what kind of business you're selling

Three things apply regardless of whether you're selling a sole proprietorship with one employee or a company with twenty: you need to be able to document the numbers, you need a realistic price, and you need to present the business so a buyer understands what they're getting. Skip one of these three, and the process drags on unnecessarily.

What differs from industry to industry

Even though the underlying structure is the same, buyers weigh different things depending on the type of business.

Shops and retail businesses

Here, location, lease terms and inventory typically matter more than in other industries. See our in-depth guide on selling a shop.

Cafés, restaurants and other eateries

An alcohol licence, staff contracts and any franchise agreement usually need extra attention before a transfer can go through.

Trade and service businesses

Here it's often the relationship with regular customers and any framework agreements that make up the real value – not just equipment and vehicles. A buyer will want to know how dependent the business is on you personally.

Online businesses and webshops

Traffic, conversion rate and supplier agreements weigh the most here. Read more in our guide to selling a webshop.

What does it cost to list your business with us?

Regardless of industry, you list with virksomhedssalg.dk for a single one-time payment – no subscription, no recurring fees, and no commission on the sale price if you find a buyer yourself. See pricing and packages.

Frequently asked questions

Does my business need to be a limited company before I can sell it?

No. You can sell a business regardless of whether it's run as a sole proprietorship or a limited company – the structure just affects how the transfer and taxation are handled in practice.

Can I sell a small business without several years of accounts?

Yes, but it makes the process harder. With only a short operating history, expect more questions from buyers and possibly a lower price, since there's less to base a valuation on.

Where do I find buyers for my business?

List it so it becomes visible to the buyers who are actively looking for a business to take over – without having to seek them out one by one yourself.