Web Design Firm
Our process is fast, easy to understand, and founder friendly.
(SCROLL)
Ready to sell your web design firm? We guide you from valuation to closing with a seamless, white-glove process.
Whether you focus on branding, UX/UI, or full-site builds, we specialize in helping web design founders maximize their exit. Get expert valuation, hands-on support, and access to the right buyers—without the stress.
We like to sell web design firms that have:
Sustainable Margins
Above 15%
Healthy profit
From $500K to $5M
Successful operations
Of three years or longer
A positive and ethical approach
No sketchy stuff
And bonus points for businesses that have:
A simple business model
You can explain it to your parents
A unique advantage
Like service offering or niche
A high-quality team
A great team with a positive culture
Solid transition plan
Of 90 days or longer
Strong Customer Economics
Long-term clients and high referral rates signal healthy performance
Operational Stability
Proven processes and delivery systems that don’t rely on the founder
Brand IP or Differentiation
A clear point of view or niche clients that trust your brand
Clean Metrics & Low Return Rates
Buyers love clarity — and low returns = high confidence
We work with founders who decide to sell their web design firm for the following reasons:
Market Timing
The founder sees steady demand or strong revenue trends and wants to exit while valuations are high and interest is strong in digital services
Operational Burnout
Leading a web design firm can be draining with constant deadlines, client revisions, and project management. Founders may sell to refocus or recharge.
Scaling Limitations
Some founders hit a growth ceiling and need a partner to grow — whether that means hiring, expanding capabilities, or adding new tech.
Industry Disruption
Changes in design trends, search algorithms, or platform updates can create pressure to adapt quickly. Some founders choose to sell before falling behind.
Life Changes
Personal shifts like family planning, relocation, or health priorities often motivate founders to explore an exit while the agency is still thriving.
New Ventures
Founders are entrepreneurial at heart. After years of building one brand, many are ready to start something new and want to free up capital and mental space.
Team Transitions
Key designers or developers may be moving on, or the founder no longer wants to manage a growing creative team. That makes this the right time to pass the baton.
Exit Planning Strategies
Some founders build with an exit in mind and are now executing that plan after reaching ideal scale, client roster, and revenue consistency
Strategic Buyout
An offer from a larger agency or private equity-backed firm can align with the founder’s vision, prompting a sale even if they weren’t actively looking.
Don’t go at this alone. Use our resources. Get inspired by our market guides and let’s tackle this together.
How to Sell a Web Design Firm with Confidence
Selling your web design firm doesn’t have to be overwhelming. This guide walks through valuation, preparation, marketing, and closing. At Merge, we combine expert strategy with hands-on support to help web design firm founders exit smoothly and successfully.
When to Sell Your Web Design Firm for the Best Outcome
Timing your exit can make all the difference. This guide helps web design firm founders assess performance, market conditions, and personal goals. At Merge, we combine expert strategy with hands-on support to help web design firm owners exit at the right time and maximize value.
Valuing a Web Design Firm: How to Determine What It's Worth
Knowing what your web design firm is worth is key to a successful sale. This guide explains how buyers assess value and what drives higher multiples. At Merge, we combine expert strategy with hands-on support to help web design firm founders achieve a fair and rewarding valuation.
Preparing a Web Design Firm for Sale: What Founders Should Know
Preparing your web design firm for sale doesn’t have to feel complicated. This guide covers financial preparation, team readiness, and client diversification. At Merge, we combine expert strategy with hands-on support to help web design firm founders prepare confidently and exit successfully.
What Buyers Look for When Acquiring a Web Design Firm
Acquiring a web design firm is a smart way to grow, but preparation is key. This guide helps buyers evaluate opportunities, assess fit, and understand value drivers. At Merge, we combine expert strategy with hands-on support to help buyers make confident, informed acquisitions.
Taxes on Selling a Web Design Firm: What to Expect
Get ahead of the tax curve with this founder-friendly guide to navigating capital gains, state taxes, entity structure, and deal terms when selling your web design firm. Learn how to structure your sale to maximize proceeds and avoid costly surprises at tax time.
Crafting the Right Exit Strategy for Your Web Design Firm
Learn how to craft an exit strategy for your web design firm that maximizes value and ensures a smooth transition. This guide covers setting clear goals, boosting value drivers, reducing owner dependency, cleaning up financials, strengthening client relationships, evaluating timing, and working with advisors — so you can exit on your terms and protect what you’ve built.
Step 1: Initial Consultation
We start with a confidential chat to understand your goals, timeline, and business model. This helps us create a clear exit plan tailored to your team structure, client mix, and services offered.
Step 2: Valuation
Our team conducts a full valuation using your firm’s financials, revenue streams (project, retainer, white label), and market trends. We assess margins, team utilization, and growth potential to set a fair, data-backed asking price.
Step 3: Market Positioning
We identify your firm’s strongest selling points, from standout design work to client retention and niche expertise, and position your business for maximum appeal to the right type of buyer.
Step 4: Preparation of Marketing Materials
We prepare a visually engaging, data-rich prospectus highlighting your firm’s brand story, services, portfolio, team structure, financials, and scalability potential.
Step 5: Buyer Identification and Screening
Through our curated buyer network, we match your firm with serious, pre-qualified acquirers who understand creative businesses and are actively looking for web design opportunities.
Step 6: Presentations and Meetings
We coordinate calls with top buyer candidates and coach you through each interaction so you can share your story confidently and transparently while we handle all the logistics.
Step 7: Negotiations and Offers
Once offers come in, we help you compare terms, negotiate price, and protect your interests. That could include cash at close, a transition plan, or earn-out structures.
Step 8: Due Diligence
We organize your firm’s key operational documents such as client contracts, team info, financials, and tools or platforms used. Our team ensures a smooth diligence process that keeps things moving toward close.
Step 9: Closing and Transition
We finalize documents, coordinate the handoff of assets and accounts, and guide you through a seamless transition. Whether you’re stepping away completely or offering short-term support, we’ve got it covered!
Our fee structure is simple, transparent, and aligned with your success.
During the engagement, while our team works to match your web design firm with the perfect buyer, you’ll pay a monthly retainer ranging from $5,000–$20,000 depending on the size and complexity of your business. When the deal closes, you pay a success fee equal to 10% of the cash consideration received at closing. No hidden fees, no surprises—just a structure designed to keep everyone incentivized and focused on your best outcome.
Our Strategic Engagements Are Designed to Maximize Your Exit.
Our three signature engagements go beyond traditional M&A advisory, helping web design founders confidently navigate every phase of selling their business. Backed by deep digital services experience and a proven track record, each engagement is designed to meet your firm’s specific goals. Whether you’re preparing for a potential sale, fielding inbound buyer interest, or ready to go to market, our process delivers clarity, confidence, and maximum return.
1. Valuation Only
(Understand & Assess)
For founders who want to know what their web design firm is worth, this engagement delivers a clear, data-backed valuation based on agency benchmarks and key industry metrics. You’ll gain the insights you need to decide if, when, and how to sell — no pressure attached.
2. Transaction Support
(Advise & Execute)
If you already have a buyer at the table, we’ll jump in to guide you through the deal—structuring terms, negotiating price, managing diligence, and protecting your interests through closing. It’s expert support without the full-market process.
3. Full Go-to-Market Representation
(Prepare & Represent)
This is the full-service, white-glove experience. We handle everything—valuation, positioning, buyer outreach, negotiations, and closing—so you can focus on running your store while we drive the exit process. Perfect for founders seeking top-dollar offers and a smooth transition.
Since 2015, we've guided over 1,000 businesses through valuations & acquisitions.
In the dynamic realm of M&A, experience isn't just a bonus—it's the key ingredient that empowers buyers and sellers to navigate the intricate process with assurance and also achieve their goals.
SCS Goes Public With PopReach
Brandon Agency Acquires Social Media Dynamo JoyByte
PR Agency Candor Acquired by Salient Global
The Creative Momentum Acquired By CloudMellow
Big Footprint Digital Joins PE Backed Fusion92
Origin Outside Acquired By Hospitality Giant MMGY Global
Trendy Minds Secures Private Equity Backing from Contour Ridge
Gravity Global Acquires Hubspot Agency Mojo Media Labs
KonvertLab Acquired By Industry Powerhouse Taktical Digital
Likeable Acquired By Global Digital Transformation Firm 10Pearls
Some Merge Lovin' 💛
What
The
FAQ
We focus on independent web design studios, UX/UI and branding firms, and digital design agencies with strong client retention, recurring or project-based revenue, clean financials, and proven creative processes.
We use a mix of valuation methods including EBITDA multiples, revenue multiples, and industry-specific benchmarks like client concentration, project margins, and retention rates. Our approach reflects what buyers are paying for firms like yours in today’s M&A market.
Yes — confidentiality is core to our process. We use blind listings, vetted NDAs, and structured buyer communication to ensure your brand and team aren’t exposed until the right time.
We’ve built a curated network of strategic buyers, private equity groups, and high-net-worth individuals actively looking for web design firms. We also run targeted outreach to match your firm with the right buyers based on size, service offerings, and client base.
That’s totally fine. Many founders come to us just to understand their valuation or exit options. We’ll give you honest insights and a roadmap, so when the time is right, you’re prepared.
We charge a monthly retainer during the engagement and a success fee based on the cash you receive at closing. Our structure is aligned to get you the best outcome — no hidden costs, ever.
Most web design firm deals take 4–6 months from kick-off to close, but timing depends on readiness, financials, and deal complexity. We’ll move as fast as you’re able to.
Focus on clean financials, clear reporting (such as project margins and client retention), reducing owner involvement, and documenting key operations, team structure, and workflows. We’ll guide you through the rest!
We do the heavy lifting — outreach, vetting, negotiations — so you can focus on running your business. You’ll join key calls and review offers, but we keep things efficient and founder-friendly.
That depends on your goals and the buyer’s needs. Some founders transition out quickly; others stay on during an earn-out. We’ll help structure the post-sale plan that works best for you.