INDEX / MARKETPLACE
Directory Marketplace (Buy/Sell Directories)
A dedicated marketplace for buying and selling niche online directories, filling the gap left by platforms like Acquire.com that require revenue history.
01 THE IDEA
John Rush mentions buying the domain 'selldirectories.com' with plans to launch a marketplace specifically for buying and selling online directories. The insight is that existing acquisition platforms like Acquire.com reject directories because they lack SaaS-style recurring revenue, yet directories are actively being transacted on smaller, general-purpose micro-SaaS marketplaces like Microacquire alternatives. There is a clear market gap for a niche platform that understands traffic-based (not revenue-based) valuation of directories.
The platform would serve two sides: directory builders looking to exit for $2K–$100K and SaaS companies or media buyers looking to acquire SEO traffic assets cheaply. Deal flow already exists organically; the marketplace just needs to aggregate and legitimize it. Revenue could come from success fees (5–10% of transaction), listing fees, or a premium membership for serious buyers getting first access to new listings.
02 THE NUMBERS
$30K – $300K
$500 + 80h
$300 + 40h
5/10
8 · STEADY →
Marketplace product development, SEO & traffic valuation, Community building, Sales & deal facilitation, No-code or light development
03 THE VERDICT
This is a classic 'meta' play—if the directory ecosystem grows, a marketplace for directory transactions grows with it. The domain is already secured, the audience (directory builders) already exists and is reachable via John Rush's community. The main risk is thin liquidity in early stages before both supply and demand sides are established. Starting with a curated newsletter or community of directory buyers/sellers before building full marketplace infrastructure would reduce that cold-start risk significantly.
Verdict: BUILD. Don't have the ~80 hours it takes? Get matched with a vetted builder who does — we review every brief by hand and intro you to up to 3 builders.
FIND A BUILDER →INTROS ONLY — NO FEES, NO ESCROW. THE PROJECT IS YOURS.
ALREADY BUILT — BY THE COMMUNITY
I BUILT THIS →Nobody has claimed this one yet. Shipped it? Tell the story — every submission is hand-reviewed, and approved builds get listed right here with a link to your product.
04 THE FIELD
- Acquire.comest. 2018GROWING · ADDED 2026-06-07
LEADING STARTUP ACQUISITION MARKETPLACE
Focuses on SaaS/app acquisitions with revenue requirements; explicitly excludes most directories, creating the gap.
- Flippaest. 2009STEADY · ADDED 2026-06-07
LARGEST GENERAL WEBSITE BROKER
Lists websites and apps for sale including some directories, but is broad and noisy rather than directory-specialized.
- MicroAcquire / Microconf communitySTEADY · ADDED 2026-06-07
FRAGMENTED SMALL DEALS VIA COMMUNITIES
Informal deal-making happens in communities like Indie Hackers and Twitter DMs; no dedicated directory-specific platform.