The SimpleExit blog
Selling a small business, plainly explained
Broker fees, selling without a broker, testing the market and listing mechanics, written for owners weighing their options.
Is My Business Sellable? Seven Signals Buyers Look For First
Before a buyer thinks about price, they check a handful of things: earnings they can verify, how much depends on you, customer concentration, and more. Seven signals that make a small business sellable, and how to read your own.
Sep 25, 2026 · 6 min read
Testing the MarketHow to Test the Market for Your Business Before You Commit to Selling
Testing the market means putting a confidential, professional listing in front of real buyers to see who responds, before you commit to a sale. Here is how it works, what you learn, and how to do it without tipping off staff or customers.
Sep 25, 2026 · 6 min read
Selling Without a BrokerHow to Sell a Small Business Without a Broker: What You Actually Have to Do Yourself
Selling a small business without a broker means doing four jobs yourself: preparing the materials, reaching buyers, protecting confidentiality and running the negotiation. Here is what each job involves and which parts you can hand off.
Sep 25, 2026 · 6 min read
Listing & BuyersHow to Screen Buyers and Run First Conversations When There's No Broker in the Middle
Selling without a broker means you screen buyers yourself. Here is how to tell serious buyers from browsers, what to ask on a first call, what to share and when, and how to keep control of the process.
Sep 25, 2026 · 5 min read
Broker Fees & AlternativesHow Much Does a Business Broker Charge? Commission Rates, Retainers and Minimums Explained
Traditional business brokers commonly charge 10-15% of the sale price on small business sales, and many add a retainer or a minimum fee. Here is how each part of a broker fee works, what it pays for, and the questions to ask before you sign.
Sep 25, 2026 · 5 min read
Broker Fees & AlternativesFlat Fee vs. Commission: The Arithmetic on a $1M, $2M and $5M Sale
A hypothetical side-by-side of a 10-15% broker commission and a $10,000 flat fee at $1M, $2M and $5M sale prices, plus what the arithmetic leaves out: who does the work, and what you are really paying for.
Sep 25, 2026 · 6 min read
Selling Without a BrokerDo You Need a Business Broker to Sell Your Business? An Honest Checklist
You do not legally need a broker to sell a small business. Whether you should use one depends on five things: your appetite for buyer conversations, your records, your need for confidentiality, your time, and how you feel about a percentage fee.
Sep 25, 2026 · 6 min read
Broker Fees & AlternativesBusiness Broker Alternatives for a Business Under $5M
If you own a small or niche business under $5M, a traditional broker is not your only option. Compare the real alternatives: selling it yourself, a flat-fee listing service, a direct approach to a likely buyer, and an internal sale.
Sep 25, 2026 · 6 min read
Next step
See what your business could draw, before you commit to anything.
A 30-minute call. We review your business, answer your questions and give you a free opinion of value. Then you decide whether testing the market makes sense.