Matt Haughey recently unloaded his PVRBlog.com domain and content on ebay for $12,110.00 at the conclusion of a 7 day auction. As with most items that attract seasoned bidders, the reality was closer to a 20 minute event — during which time we saw PVRBlog‘s price more than double. However, the week-long listing provided plenty of time to mull over a purchase. And to be approached by a variety of folks looking to team.
But how do you value a website? In it’s heyday, PVRBlog held an amazing 9/10 Google PageRank. And despite hardly any new content (8 posts in 2009), the site still sees several hundred visitors a day. Perhaps most impressively, PVRBlog may have over 180,000 RSS subscribers thanks to some early Google promotion. Yet Matt says his revenue maxed out at $3,000 a month (and currently brings in about $100/mo). Given those top flight numbers, I would have expected significantly higher cashflow. I’m not entirely sure where the disconnect is, but it did give me pause.
Also, despite Davis Freeberg‘s grand plans for me, I’ve never aspired to preside over a blog empire. In fact, my post count is down this year in a conscious “back to basics” blogging effort. We’re going with less press release regurgitation in favor of sharing more personal experiences in tech. It’s a blogosphere conundrum, which probably results in less traffic and less income, but a better product. I can live with that.
Some folks I conferred with on the mater suggested “PVRBlog” is somewhat limiting given the current state of digital media affairs. Perhaps. Although it’s surely much less limiting than “Zatz Not Funny” — originally the name of my college radio show, later ported to the web as a place to share travelogues with friends and family. Which has since (obviously) evolved into something far different.
Early on I chose to pass on the partnership angle, due to the various ownership, management, and financial complexities. At which point I began working on a two-phase implementation plan and a dollar amount I’d be comfortable with, given my current mindset detailed above. As it turns out, $12,110.00 exceeds the amount of risk/commitment I am willing to make in assuming the stewardship of PVRBlog.com. But, if Matt’s ebay deal falls through for whatever reason, I hope he’s willing to have a conversation outside of ebay. (I’m not a fan.) As I’d like to think I can preserve his PVR legacy, while making a positive contribution to the blogosphere and earn us both a little money in the process.
