How to sell your side project
You built something real. Maybe it solves a problem you had. Maybe it was a weekend experiment that grew. Either way, it works — and now you are thinking about selling it. This guide walks you through what actually matters when you want a buyer to say yes.
Selling a side project is not about finding someone who loves your code. It is about finding someone who sees the value and feels confident they can take it over.
Most projects that sit unsold are not bad builds. They are badly presented. The demo is hidden behind a login. The listing lists features without benefits. The handover plan is vague. Buyers move on because they cannot quickly answer the one question that matters: is this worth my money and my time?
Here is how to fix that, step by step.
Make your demo accessible
Buyers decide in seconds. If your demo drops them straight into a login screen, most will close the tab before they understand what you built. Create a public preview that shows the product working end to end. A simple read-only demo account or a landing page with screenshots and a short walkthrough video works well. The goal is simple: someone who has never seen your project should understand what it does within 30 seconds.
Quick tip: If your product needs a login to be useful, record a 60-second screen capture showing the key flows. Embed it above the fold.
Price it honestly
Pricing a side project feels awkward, but buyers expect a number or at least a range. If you set an exact price, make sure it reflects the stage and effort. If you are not sure yet, use a price band and stay open to offers. What matters is that buyers can tell whether the project is in their budget before they reach out. Vague pricing kills enquiries.
Quick tip: Pre-revenue projects typically sell for less than you think they are worth. That is normal. The buyer is paying for your work, not future revenue that does not exist yet.
Prepare for handover
A buyer is not just buying your code. They are buying the ability to run it. Before you list, make sure you have a setup guide, environment variables documented, and a clear list of what gets handed over. Do you include the domain? Brand assets? Social accounts? An email list? Write it down. Buyers who see a clean handover plan feel confident enough to make an offer.
Quick tip: If setup takes under 30 minutes and you can prove it, say so. Low friction at handover is a selling point.
Write a listing that sells itself
Your listing is your salesperson. Start with a one-line pitch that explains the problem you solved and who it is for. Then list 3 to 5 key features, each connected to a benefit. A feature like "SMTP integration" means nothing on its own. "SMTP integration: send transactional emails without setting up a third-party service" tells the buyer what they get.
Quick tip: Write your tagline first. If you cannot summarise the value in one sentence under 160 characters, your listing will struggle.
Be ready for buyer questions
When a buyer requests an introduction, they usually have questions. What is your tech stack? Is there debt or technical baggage? Why are you selling? Answer quickly and honestly. Buyers who feel they are getting straight answers are far more likely to move forward. Slow or vague replies make buyers assume the worst and walk away.
Quick tip: Prepare answers to the top 5 questions you expect. You will get them from almost every serious buyer.
Your pre-listing checklist
Run through this before you submit. If you can tick every box, you are ready.
Ready to list your project?
Submitting is free. Fill in a short form, and if your project is a good fit, we will send you a link to complete your listing.
Submit your project