- Digital Sniper
- Posts
- This Week's Top Business Opportunities: SaaS, AI, eCommerce & More
This Week's Top Business Opportunities: SaaS, AI, eCommerce & More
Get ahead with this week’s hottest business finds—SaaS, AI projects, content websites, and eCommerce ventures. Plus, top books to help you buy and grow your next business.
Hello Snipers!
This week’s lineup is packed with something for everyone—whether you're hunting for SaaS (Software as a Service), eCommerce, AI, or Content Websites, I’ve got you covered. These four are set to be the most on-trend business types of 2024, so you’re ahead of the curve!!
I’ve also been brainstorming some creative ways to make sure each issue brings you the perfect match for your budget and preferences. So, do me a favor and take a moment to answer my polls or surveys. Your input will help shape some exciting new developments coming soon—stay tuned!
After a few subscribers asked for book recommendations to help them on their business-buying journey, I realized it’s high time I shared some must-read titles that can help you buy and grow a business. You’ll find those in today’s edition too.
Alright, let’s get into it and explore what’s on offer this week! 🚀📚💡
Jump to the Good Stuff...
DIGITAL TRIVIA - Which marketing tech company was bought for just 30,000 and later grew into a multimillion-dollar business? (Hint: It turned simple retail ads into a big success!) 💼📈🤔
🔔DIGI BITE🔔Web Scraping Tools for Apify Marketplace 🌐🛠️
Looking for a hands-off, easy-to-manage SaaS opportunity? This portfolio of web scraping tools is already monetized and growing steadily. Scraping is an underutilized tool that is going to grow significantly, especially with Ai. Built on the Apify marketplace, the tools are written in Typescript, making them simple to maintain. The business has seen organic growth since its launch in December 2023, and with zero churn, the customer base remains loyal.
With five web scraping actors currently in use, there’s already a solid foundation for revenue. The real opportunity lies in scaling through marketing, as subscriptions have grown entirely from organic marketplace traffic so far. By putting a marketing plan in place or exploring partnerships, you could significantly expand the customer base. With no infrastructure costs and minimal operational requirements, this is a low-effort SaaS portfolio ready for someone to take it to the next level.
Casino Betting Affiliate Website 🎲💻
They say the Casino always wins, so I say be the Casino…or at least the Casino affiliate! If that idea sounds appealing then this established 3-year-old casino and betting affiliate site is a great contender, having a strong online presence with a domain authority (DA) of 42 and domain rating (DR) of 33. The site’s primary focus is on reviewing casino brands and generating affiliate commissions through user registrations and deposits via affiliate links. It attracts 300-400 daily visitors, with a monthly user base of around 20,000, mostly from India but also internationally. The website currently features over 200 brand reviews, dozens of guide pages, and blog posts, and monetizes through brand listing fees and guest posts.
With its stable traffic and diversified revenue streams, this affiliate platform is well-positioned for growth. Opportunities include expanding affiliate partnerships, optimizing SEO strategies to recover rankings, and exploring additional revenue streams. By increasing content production and enhancing user engagement, a new owner could tap into the rapidly expanding online gambling market.
My Checklist:
Verify affiliate commission reports to ensure revenue is from this specific site.
Check Google Analytics for traffic sources and trends - keep your eye out for hidden paid sources.
You need statements from payment providers and all advertising companies used (if any).
Review SEO performance and backlink profile to assess ranking challenges - are any backlinks paid for/paid monthly?
Confirm ownership rights of all content, including images and brand reviews.
Understand ongoing costs for SEO, link building, and content management.
🔔DIGI BITE🔔 Wedding Dropshipping & Rental Ecommerce 🎀💍
Here’s a unique ecommerce opportunity in the thriving wedding industry, with a dropshipping and rental model that offers flexibility for customers. The business, run on Shopify, caters to brides and wedding decorators looking for elegant decor solutions. Most products are dropshipped via Amazon, giving the owner control over profit margins, while the rental service adds another layer of convenience for customers by providing return labels for easy product returns after events.
In truth, this is a nicely designed website and could be a great entry point for someone interested in the market. The platform is already well-structured, making it an easy-to-manage venture with significant room to grow. By implementing a solid marketing strategy, running ads, and expanding product offerings, this business could easily scale within the highly lucrative wedding market.
AI-Generated Image App 🎨🤖
These Ai apps are seriously in demand right now…and this one caught my interest! This 7-month-old iOS app allows users to create high-quality AI-generated images with ease. It has built a strong reputation, with over 570 positive reviews and a solid 4.4-star rating. The app uses a cost-effective, cutting-edge AI model from a trusted provider, ensuring fast and reliable image generation. It requires minimal maintenance, making it ideal for someone looking for a low-touch business model.
Adding new AI models (from hundreds available) can expand the app’s functionality with little cost, while leveraging existing high-performing ASO could increase the user base further. There’s also room to increase revenue by refining in-app purchases and expanding marketing efforts beyond organic traffic.
My Checklist:
Verify income streams: subscriptions, in-app purchases, and ad revenue.
Check App Store analytics to confirm ASO performance and download rates.
Review churn rate improvements—ensure retention is stable.
Confirm no additional development or maintenance costs are required for AI model updates.
Examine the app’s user acquisition strategy and potential for scaling through paid marketing.
Ensure all rights to AI models and image generation processes are properly licensed.
Must-Read Books to Help You Buy and Grow a Business 📚💼
Buying a business is no small feat, and I know how overwhelming it can be. During my career, I found a few incredible books that really helped me navigate the challenges of buying and scaling a business. Here’s a list of personal recommendations that could make a big difference in your own journey. (You’ll also find links to where you can grab these books, and while we do receive a small referral fee, it helps us keep this newsletter free for you! 😉)
By Brendan McGurgan and Claire Colvin
If you’re looking to scale a business you’ve just bought, Simple Scaling is a game-changer. Brendan McGurgan and Claire Colvin lay out ten clear principles that are practical, easy to implement, and incredibly effective. What struck me the most was how they manage to break down the complexities of scaling into manageable steps. For anyone buying a business with an eye on growth, this book will give you the tools to take it to the next level—without getting overwhelmed. 🚀 Find it here.
By Jim Collins
This book has been around for a while, but I keep coming back to it—and for good reason. When evaluating which businesses to buy, Good to Great helps zero in on what makes a company truly exceptional. Collins’ research on leadership, focus, and operational discipline shows the importance of buying a business that not only has potential but has the right foundational qualities to succeed long term. If you're buying a business, this book is essential to understanding what separates the good from the great. 🏆 Get your copy.
By Chris Voss and Tahl Raz
Negotiation is an art, and Chris Voss is the master. I can't recommend this book enough if you're getting into the tricky conversations that come with buying a business—whether it's over price, terms, or how the transition will play out. Voss, a former FBI hostage negotiator, introduces techniques that have helped me navigate negotiations with much more confidence. His insights on tactical empathy and mirroring have been absolute game-changers in getting deals over the line without feeling like I’m compromising on key points. 💼💬 Check it out.
By Robert B. Cialdini, PhD
I first read this book thinking it would just help with marketing, but it turned out to be a goldmine for understanding human behavior in negotiations and business relationships. Cialdini’s take on the psychology of persuasion helps not only when in the process of buying businesses, but also in everyday dealings with sellers, stakeholders, and even employees. If you want to have more influence and better understand how others make decisions, Influence is one of those books you’ll find yourself referencing again and again. 🧠✨ Grab it here.
Each of these books has had a profound impact on the way I approach buying, negotiating, and growing businesses. Whether you're just starting your journey or you're deep in negotiations, I hope you'll find these resources as valuable as I have!
✨ Help Me Customize Your Experience! ✨Please take a quick moment to let me know what you'd love to see more of! 👇😊 |
SaaS Allied Health Notes Platform 🏥💼
My thinking here is that there’s a big future for SaaS & Pharma…and Health Tech is primed for significant growth over the next decade. So this business, established over a decade ago is definitely of interest. It provides an essential service for Allied Health practitioners, focusing on efficient, compliant note-taking. With 12 years of operation, the business is well-established, offering a streamlined solution to improve productivity and accuracy in clinical settings. Its stable customer base is primarily in Australia, utilizing integrations with practice management systems to enhance data handling and patient communication.
The business is well-positioned for growth with multiple potential avenues, such as expanding into international markets, increasing partnerships with additional practice management platforms, or enhancing features like AI-driven treatment suggestions. Building out an Android version of the app could open up a larger market, and exploring other health professions beyond chiropractic, like physiotherapy or pilates, could boost revenue.
My Checklist:
Access subscription records and reports to verify recurring revenue.
Verify integration with existing practice management systems and assess customer satisfaction.
Evaluate potential to expand internationally and adapt product for other health professions.
Review feedback on app usability and explore opportunities for feature development.
Confirm operational costs and technical maintenance requirements for the platform.
Billionaires wanted it, but 66,930 everyday investors got it first.
When incredibly valuable assets come up for sale, it's typically the wealthiest people that end up taking home an amazing investment. But not always…
One platform is taking on the billionaires at their own game, buying up and securitizing some of the most prized blue-chip artworks for its investors.
It's called Masterworks. Their nearly $1 billion collection includes works by greats like Banksy, Picasso, and Basquiat. When Masterworks sells a painting – like the 23 it's already sold – investors reap their portion of the net proceeds.
In just the last few years, Masterworks investors have realized net annualized returns like +17.6%, +17.8%, and +21.5% (from 3 illustrative sales held longer than one year).
Past performance not indicative of future returns. Investing Involves Risk. See Important Disclosures at masterworks.com/cd.
🦖BIGGER BITE🦖Business Design Digital Product Ecommerce🎨📊
Here’s a sought after opportunity to own a fully automated digital product business that’s been thriving for over a decade…that’s right, ecommerce with no physical products! Launched in 2013, this business specializes in selling high-quality design and business-related digital assets on major platforms like Envato Elements and Creative Market. With a strong presence on these marketplaces, it offers a solid, hands-off source of passive income.
The business’s revenue is predominantly generated through Envato Elements, accounting for 97% of its income, while the remaining 3% comes from Creative Market. No new products have been added since February 2024, yet the business continues to generate consistent revenue, thanks to its evergreen assets and long-standing reputation.
Key assets included in the sale are the primary domain, social media accounts, marketplace listings, and freelance designer contacts—ensuring a smooth handover.
Heat Transfer Clothing eCommerce Store 👕🔥
I’m resisting the temptation to look into buying this gem myself! This 3-year-old eCommerce store specializes in heat transfer clothing designs, catering to B2B clients, businesses, and commercial facilities. It boasts a solid customer base with over 18,000 contacts and a 48% repeat purchase rate. The owner dedicates only 5–10 hours per week to the business, outsourcing day-to-day operations to freelance contractors. With inventory and 3PL fulfillment already in place, it’s a turnkey operation that can be run from anywhere.
The business offers numerous opportunities for expansion, including leveraging social media, influencer marketing, and SEO to drive traffic. Expanding sales channels through platforms like Etsy and Amazon and introducing new product lines would further grow the revenue. With strong transitional support provided, a new owner can quickly take over and scale the business.
My Checklist:
Verify sales and cash flow with access to Shopify and payment gateway reports.
Confirm fulfillment processes and 3PL partnership agreements - check costs.
Assess the engagement of influencer partnerships and potential to grow these channels.
Explore options for expanding into new marketplaces like Etsy and Amazon.
Review inventory levels and supplier agreements for cost control and expansion.
🐘 MEGA BITE🐘Amazon FBA Business with Global Reach 🏡💡
This is a rare opportunity to acquire a highly successful and well-established Amazon FBA business in the home niche, operating since 2009. With over 115 SKUs registered under Amazon Brand Registry 2.0, the business boasts an impressive track record of consistent revenue and profitability. The top five SKUs, which focus on the lighting niche, generate 62% of the revenue and are sold to both individuals and institutions worldwide.
The business has built a strong reputation for quality and reliability, with its top products averaging a 4.3-star rating on Amazon. Thanks to an efficient system of 10 suppliers in China and fulfillment via FBA and a third party fulfilment warehouse in LA, the business is streamlined and easy to manage. It has seen steady year-over-year growth, maintaining a net profit margin of nearly 24%, with minimal time commitment required from the owner.
In addition to the primary Amazon account, the sale includes a Shopify store, eBay account, trademarks, and inactive Walmart DSV and Amazon Vendor accounts. This business is primed for continued growth, making it an excellent investment for someone looking to take over a well-oiled operation in a booming market.
TRIVIA ANSWER - In 1990, Insignia Systems was bought for just 30k by Glen Dall. He transformed it into a multimillion-dollar business by innovating in in-store advertising, eventually reaching 100 million in revenue! 🛍️💡
Disclaimer: Buying any business is a significant financial and personal decision. We strongly recommend conducting thorough due diligence and consulting with qualified advisors before making any purchase. The businesses we showcase are merely those that caught our interest, and our inclusion of them does not constitute endorsement or recommendation. We only repeat the business information presented to us and cannot be held responsible for its accuracy. We do not offer any investment or financial advice, and we assume no liability for the decisions you make based on the information provided in this newsletter.