{"id":1062,"date":"2026-07-14T09:49:46","date_gmt":"2026-07-14T13:49:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/murphybusiness.com\/blog\/?p=1062"},"modified":"2026-07-14T09:51:28","modified_gmt":"2026-07-14T13:51:28","slug":"understanding-the-steps-to-selling-your-business","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/murphybusiness.com\/blog\/understanding-the-steps-to-selling-your-business\/","title":{"rendered":"Understanding the Steps to Selling Your Business: A Guide for Business Owners"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Selling a business is one of the most significant financial and personal decisions an owner will make. Whether you are planning for retirement, pursuing a new opportunity, shifting to a new phase of life, or simply ready to move on from day-to-day operations, understanding the steps to selling your business can assist you make informed decisions and maximize your company&#8217;s value.<\/p>\n<p>Unlike selling a personal asset, selling a business entails financial analysis, valuation, confidentiality, buyer qualification, negotiations, due diligence, and legal documentation. A successful sale requires preparation, patience, and the guidance of experienced professionals who understand the complexities of business transactions.<\/p>\n<p>At Murphy Business Sales, we help business owners navigate every stage of the sale process\u2014from determining their business&#8217;s value to finding qualified buyers and successfully completing the transaction.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"What Is The Process For Selling A Business\" width=\"840\" height=\"473\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/j_YgJg712Sc?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h2>Step 1: Determine Why You Want to Sell Your Business<\/h2>\n<p>Before beginning the sale process, it is important to clearly define your goals.<\/p>\n<p>Business owners choose to sell for many reasons, including:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Retirement or succession planning<\/li>\n<li>Pursuing a new business venture<\/li>\n<li>Changes in personal priorities<\/li>\n<li>Partnership disagreements<\/li>\n<li>Burnout or lifestyle changes<\/li>\n<li>Market conditions creating an opportunity<\/li>\n<li>A desire to unlock the value they have built<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Understanding your motivation helps shape the right strategy. For example, an owner looking for the highest possible sale price may approach the process differently than someone who prefers a faster transition or finding the right buyer to continue their legacy.<\/p>\n<p>A business broker can help you evaluate your objectives and develop a realistic plan based on your goals.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Step 2: Understand What Your Business Is Worth<\/h2>\n<p>One of the most important steps in selling a business is determining its value.<\/p>\n<p>Many owners have an estimate of their company&#8217;s value based on revenue, years in operation, or personal investment. However, buyers typically evaluate businesses based on financial performance, future potential, market conditions, and risk.<\/p>\n<p>A professional business valuation takes into account such as:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Revenue and profitability trends<\/li>\n<li>Seller\u2019s discretionary earnings (SDE) or EBITDA<\/li>\n<li>Industry benchmarks<\/li>\n<li>Assets and liabilities<\/li>\n<li>Customer concentration<\/li>\n<li>Market position<\/li>\n<li>Growth opportunities<\/li>\n<li>Management structure<\/li>\n<li>Competitive advantages<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Understanding your business\u2019s value before going to market helps set realistic expectations and creates a stronger position during negotiations.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/murphybusiness.com\/business-valuation\/\">A business valuation<\/a> is not simply about assigning a number\u2014it is about understanding the story behind your company\u2019s financial indicators and identifying opportunities to increase value before a sale.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Step 3: Prepare Your Business for Sale<\/h2>\n<p>The strongest business sales typically begin with preparation well before the company is listed.<\/p>\n<p>Buyers want confidence that the business they acquire is stable, transferable, and positioned for future success.<\/p>\n<p>Common preparation steps include:<\/p>\n<h3>Arranging Financial Records<\/h3>\n<p>Buyers and lenders will review financial information during the process. Having accurate, organized records supports building trust and reduces delays.<\/p>\n<p>Important documents may include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Tax returns<\/li>\n<li>Profit and loss statements<\/li>\n<li>Balance sheets<\/li>\n<li>Customer and vendor agreements<\/li>\n<li>Employee information<\/li>\n<li>Lease agreements<\/li>\n<li>Equipment records<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Strengthening Operations<\/h3>\n<p>Companies that rely less on the owner are often more attractive to buyers.<\/p>\n<p>Consider:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Documenting processes<\/li>\n<li>Developing management responsibilities<\/li>\n<li>Reducing owner dependency<\/li>\n<li>Improving customer retention<\/li>\n<li>Keeping consistent financial reporting<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Confronting Potential Concerns<\/h3>\n<p>Before entering the market, owners should identify issues that may affect buyer interest, such as:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Declining earnings trends<\/li>\n<li>Outdated equipment<\/li>\n<li>Unclear ownership agreements<\/li>\n<li>Customer concentration risks<\/li>\n<li>Operational inefficiencies<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>A thoughtful preparation process can improve buyer confidence and possibly increase the value of the business.\u00a0 To learn more about how to prepare your business for a sale,<span style=\"color: #125687;\"><strong><a style=\"color: #125687;\" href=\"https:\/\/murphybusiness.com\/cta\/freedownloads\/9-steps-to-prepare-your-business-to-sell\/\"> download our guide 9 Steps to Prepare Your Business for a Sale.<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3>Step 4: Choose the Right Business Broker<\/h3>\n<p>Selling a business is very different from selling a home or other personal asset. A business transaction requires specialized knowledge of valuation, marketing, confidentiality, buyer qualification, and negotiations.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>A qualified business broker can help you:<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Determine an appropriate asking price<\/li>\n<li>Create a confidential marketing strategy<\/li>\n<li>Identify qualified buyers<\/li>\n<li>Manage communications<\/li>\n<li>Coordinate due diligence<\/li>\n<li>Navigate negotiations<\/li>\n<li>Work with attorneys, accountants, and lenders<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The right broker acts as an advisor throughout the process, helping you avoid common mistakes and stay focused on achieving your goals.<\/p>\n<p>When choosing a business broker, consider:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Experience with businesses similar to yours<\/li>\n<li>Knowledge of your industry and market<\/li>\n<li>Transaction history<\/li>\n<li>Marketing approach<\/li>\n<li>Professional network<\/li>\n<li>Communication style<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Step 5: Create a Confidential Marketing Strategy<\/h2>\n<p>Confidentiality is one of the most important considerations when selling a business.<\/p>\n<p>Unlike selling a home, most owners do not want employees, customers, vendors, or competitors to know the business is for sale before the appropriate time.<\/p>\n<p>A business broker creates a targeted marketing plan designed to attract qualified buyers while protecting confidentiality.<\/p>\n<p>This may include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Preparing a confidential business profile<\/li>\n<li>Finding potential buyers<\/li>\n<li>Leveraging industry networks<\/li>\n<li>Marketing via appropriate channels<\/li>\n<li>Screening buyer inquiries<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Potential buyers are normally required to sign a confidentiality agreement before receiving detailed information about the business.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Step 6: Find and Qualify Potential Buyers<\/h2>\n<p>Not every interested buyer is the right buyer.<\/p>\n<p>A qualified buyer should have:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Financial capability<\/li>\n<li>Relevant experience or skills<\/li>\n<li>A clear acquisition strategy<\/li>\n<li>The ability to complete the transaction<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Business brokers help evaluate buyers before sensitive information is shared and before owners invest significant time in negotiations.<\/p>\n<p>Qualified buyers may include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Individual entrepreneurs<\/li>\n<li>Existing business owners<\/li>\n<li>Industry professionals<\/li>\n<li>Private investors<\/li>\n<li>Strategic buyers<\/li>\n<li>Companies seeking acquisitions<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Finding the right buyer is about more than accepting an offer\u2014it is about locating someone who can successfully transition into ownership.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Step 7: Review Offers and Negotiate Terms<\/h2>\n<p>When a buyer expresses serious interest, they may submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) outlining proposed terms.<\/p>\n<p>An offer typically includes more than the purchase price. Important considerations may include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Purchase price<\/li>\n<li>Payment structure<\/li>\n<li>Financing arrangements<\/li>\n<li>Transition period<\/li>\n<li>Assets included in the sale<\/li>\n<li>Non-compete agreements<\/li>\n<li>Closing timeline<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>A business broker helps evaluate the overall strength of an offer and negotiate terms that match the seller\u2019s objectives.<\/p>\n<p>The highest offer is not always the best offer. The strongest transaction balances price, certainty of closing, and favorable terms.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Step 8: Complete Due Diligence<\/h2>\n<p>Due diligence is the buyer\u2019s opportunity to verify information about the business before completing the purchase.<\/p>\n<p>During this stage, buyers typically review:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Financial statements<\/li>\n<li>Tax records<\/li>\n<li>Contracts<\/li>\n<li>Employee information<\/li>\n<li>Customer relationships<\/li>\n<li>Legal documents<\/li>\n<li>Operational details<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>A well-prepared seller can help keep the process moving smoothly.<\/p>\n<p>Candid communication, accurate documentation, and realistic expectations are essential during this phase.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Step 9: Execute the Purchase Agreement and Close the Sale<\/h2>\n<p>Once due diligence is complete, the buyer and seller move toward final agreements.<\/p>\n<p>The purchase agreement describes the legal terms of the transaction, including:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Purchase price<\/li>\n<li>Payment terms<\/li>\n<li>Representations and warranties<\/li>\n<li>Transition responsibilities<\/li>\n<li>Closing conditions<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Attorneys, accountants, lenders, and other advisors often play important roles in finalizing the transaction.<\/p>\n<p>At closing, ownership officially transfers, and the seller receives the proceeds according to the mutually agreed terms.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Step 10: Plan for a Successful Transition<\/h2>\n<p>A successful sale does not end at closing.<\/p>\n<p>Many transactions include a transition period where the seller helps introduce the buyer to employees, customers, vendors, and operating procedures.<\/p>\n<p>A thoughtful transition plan can help:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Maintain customer confidence<\/li>\n<li>Support employees<\/li>\n<li>Preserve business relationships<\/li>\n<li>Increase the likelihood of long-term success<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>For many owners, this final step provides an opportunity to see the business they built continue under new leadership.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>How Long Does It Take to Sell a Business?<\/h2>\n<p>The timespan for selling a business varies depending on factors such as:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Business size and complexity<\/li>\n<li>Industry conditions<\/li>\n<li>Buyer demand<\/li>\n<li>Financial readiness<\/li>\n<li>Financing availability<\/li>\n<li>Negotiation process<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>While every transaction is unique, many business sales take several months from initial preparation through closing.<\/p>\n<p>Starting early gives owners more options and allows time to resolve potential challenges before entering the market.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Common Mistakes Business Owners Make When Selling<\/h2>\n<p>Many owners only sell a business once in their lifetime. Common mistakes include:<\/p>\n<h3>Waiting Until They Are Ready to Exit<\/h3>\n<p>The best time to prepare for a sale is often before you need to sell.<\/p>\n<h3>Overestimating Business Value<\/h3>\n<p>Emotional attachment is understandable, but buyers focus on financial performance and future opportunity.<\/p>\n<h3>Losing Confidentiality<\/h3>\n<p>Sharing information too broadly can create unnecessary risks.<\/p>\n<h3>Accepting the First Offer Without Evaluation<\/h3>\n<p>The right buyer and the right terms matter as much as the purchase price.<\/p>\n<h3>Trying to Manage the Process Alone<\/h3>\n<p>Selling a business requires expertise in valuation, marketing, negotiations, and transaction management.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/murphybusiness.com\/blog\/three-common-mistakes-business-owners-make-when-selling-their-business\/\">Learn more about common mistakes owners make when selling their businesses.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Selling Your Business Starts With Understanding Your Options<\/h2>\n<p>A successful business sale begins with preparation. Through understanding the steps involved\u2014from valuation and preparation to finding buyers and completing due diligence\u2014you can approach the process with certainty.<\/p>\n<p>Your business represents years of hard work, investment, and effort. The right strategy can help you protect that value and create a successful transition.<\/p>\n<p>Murphy Business Sales works with business owners throughout the selling process, providing guidance, market expertise, and transaction support to help owners achieve their goals.<\/p>\n<p>Thinking about selling your business? Start with a conversation about your options and learn what your business may be worth. <span style=\"color: #125687;\"><strong><a style=\"color: #125687;\" href=\"https:\/\/murphybusiness.com\/office-location\/\">Talk to a Murphy Business Broker near you.<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Selling a business is one of the most significant financial and personal decisions an owner will make. Whether you are planning for retirement, pursuing a new opportunity, shifting to a new phase of life, or simply ready to move on from day-to-day operations, understanding the steps to selling your business can assist you make informed &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/murphybusiness.com\/blog\/understanding-the-steps-to-selling-your-business\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;Understanding the Steps to Selling Your Business: A Guide for Business Owners&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1065,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[31],"tags":[86],"class_list":["post-1062","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-brokerage-services","tag-steps-to-selling-a-business"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Understanding the Steps to Selling Your Business: A Guide for Business Owners -<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Understanding the steps to selling a business can help you maximize value and avoid costly mistakes. Learn the complete process from valuation to closing.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/murphybusiness.com\/blog\/understanding-the-steps-to-selling-your-business\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Understanding the Steps to Selling Your Business: A Guide for Business Owners -\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Understanding the steps to selling a business can help you maximize value and avoid costly mistakes. Learn the complete process from valuation to closing.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/murphybusiness.com\/blog\/understanding-the-steps-to-selling-your-business\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Blog - Murphy Business\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-07-14T13:49:46+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-07-14T13:51:28+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/murphybusiness.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/gregreese-people-3271012_1920.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1920\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1227\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Murphy Blog\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Murphy Blog\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"7 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/murphybusiness.com\\\/blog\\\/understanding-the-steps-to-selling-your-business\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/murphybusiness.com\\\/blog\\\/understanding-the-steps-to-selling-your-business\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Murphy Blog\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/murphybusiness.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/e0ea55754e128a28657f5362fccca4d7\"},\"headline\":\"Understanding the Steps to Selling Your Business: A Guide for Business Owners\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-07-14T13:49:46+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-07-14T13:51:28+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/murphybusiness.com\\\/blog\\\/understanding-the-steps-to-selling-your-business\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":1512,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/murphybusiness.com\\\/blog\\\/understanding-the-steps-to-selling-your-business\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/murphybusiness.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/07\\\/gregreese-people-3271012_1920.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"steps to selling a business\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Brokerage Services\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/murphybusiness.com\\\/blog\\\/understanding-the-steps-to-selling-your-business\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/murphybusiness.com\\\/blog\\\/understanding-the-steps-to-selling-your-business\\\/\",\"name\":\"Understanding the Steps to Selling Your Business: A Guide for Business Owners -\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/murphybusiness.com\\\/blog\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/murphybusiness.com\\\/blog\\\/understanding-the-steps-to-selling-your-business\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/murphybusiness.com\\\/blog\\\/understanding-the-steps-to-selling-your-business\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/murphybusiness.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/07\\\/gregreese-people-3271012_1920.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-07-14T13:49:46+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-07-14T13:51:28+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/murphybusiness.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/e0ea55754e128a28657f5362fccca4d7\"},\"description\":\"Understanding the steps to selling a business can help you maximize value and avoid costly mistakes. Learn the complete process from valuation to closing.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/murphybusiness.com\\\/blog\\\/understanding-the-steps-to-selling-your-business\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/murphybusiness.com\\\/blog\\\/understanding-the-steps-to-selling-your-business\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/murphybusiness.com\\\/blog\\\/understanding-the-steps-to-selling-your-business\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/murphybusiness.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/07\\\/gregreese-people-3271012_1920.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/murphybusiness.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/07\\\/gregreese-people-3271012_1920.jpg\",\"width\":1920,\"height\":1227,\"caption\":\"Person ascending a staircase\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/murphybusiness.com\\\/blog\\\/understanding-the-steps-to-selling-your-business\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/murphybusiness.com\\\/blog\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Understanding the Steps to Selling Your Business: A Guide for Business Owners\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/murphybusiness.com\\\/blog\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/murphybusiness.com\\\/blog\\\/\",\"name\":\"Blog - Murphy Business\",\"description\":\"Excellence in Business Transactions\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/murphybusiness.com\\\/blog\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/murphybusiness.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/e0ea55754e128a28657f5362fccca4d7\",\"name\":\"Murphy Blog\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/4fcd0491a981f442745605a46a7ea3172d47807b5fadb865deabc141392810c7?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/4fcd0491a981f442745605a46a7ea3172d47807b5fadb865deabc141392810c7?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/4fcd0491a981f442745605a46a7ea3172d47807b5fadb865deabc141392810c7?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Murphy Blog\"},\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/murphybusiness.com\\\/blog\\\/author\\\/murphwp\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Understanding the Steps to Selling Your Business: A Guide for Business Owners -","description":"Understanding the steps to selling a business can help you maximize value and avoid costly mistakes. Learn the complete process from valuation to closing.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/murphybusiness.com\/blog\/understanding-the-steps-to-selling-your-business\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Understanding the Steps to Selling Your Business: A Guide for Business Owners -","og_description":"Understanding the steps to selling a business can help you maximize value and avoid costly mistakes. Learn the complete process from valuation to closing.","og_url":"https:\/\/murphybusiness.com\/blog\/understanding-the-steps-to-selling-your-business\/","og_site_name":"Blog - Murphy Business","article_published_time":"2026-07-14T13:49:46+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-07-14T13:51:28+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1920,"height":1227,"url":"https:\/\/murphybusiness.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/gregreese-people-3271012_1920.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Murphy Blog","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Murphy Blog","Est. reading time":"7 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/murphybusiness.com\/blog\/understanding-the-steps-to-selling-your-business\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/murphybusiness.com\/blog\/understanding-the-steps-to-selling-your-business\/"},"author":{"name":"Murphy Blog","@id":"https:\/\/murphybusiness.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/e0ea55754e128a28657f5362fccca4d7"},"headline":"Understanding the Steps to Selling Your Business: A Guide for Business Owners","datePublished":"2026-07-14T13:49:46+00:00","dateModified":"2026-07-14T13:51:28+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/murphybusiness.com\/blog\/understanding-the-steps-to-selling-your-business\/"},"wordCount":1512,"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/murphybusiness.com\/blog\/understanding-the-steps-to-selling-your-business\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/murphybusiness.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/gregreese-people-3271012_1920.jpg","keywords":["steps to selling a business"],"articleSection":["Brokerage Services"],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/murphybusiness.com\/blog\/understanding-the-steps-to-selling-your-business\/","url":"https:\/\/murphybusiness.com\/blog\/understanding-the-steps-to-selling-your-business\/","name":"Understanding the Steps to Selling Your Business: A Guide for Business Owners -","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/murphybusiness.com\/blog\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/murphybusiness.com\/blog\/understanding-the-steps-to-selling-your-business\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/murphybusiness.com\/blog\/understanding-the-steps-to-selling-your-business\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/murphybusiness.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/gregreese-people-3271012_1920.jpg","datePublished":"2026-07-14T13:49:46+00:00","dateModified":"2026-07-14T13:51:28+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/murphybusiness.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/e0ea55754e128a28657f5362fccca4d7"},"description":"Understanding the steps to selling a business can help you maximize value and avoid costly mistakes. Learn the complete process from valuation to closing.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/murphybusiness.com\/blog\/understanding-the-steps-to-selling-your-business\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/murphybusiness.com\/blog\/understanding-the-steps-to-selling-your-business\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/murphybusiness.com\/blog\/understanding-the-steps-to-selling-your-business\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/murphybusiness.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/gregreese-people-3271012_1920.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/murphybusiness.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/gregreese-people-3271012_1920.jpg","width":1920,"height":1227,"caption":"Person ascending a staircase"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/murphybusiness.com\/blog\/understanding-the-steps-to-selling-your-business\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/murphybusiness.com\/blog\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Understanding the Steps to Selling Your Business: A Guide for Business Owners"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/murphybusiness.com\/blog\/#website","url":"https:\/\/murphybusiness.com\/blog\/","name":"Blog - Murphy Business","description":"Excellence in Business Transactions","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/murphybusiness.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/murphybusiness.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/e0ea55754e128a28657f5362fccca4d7","name":"Murphy Blog","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/4fcd0491a981f442745605a46a7ea3172d47807b5fadb865deabc141392810c7?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/4fcd0491a981f442745605a46a7ea3172d47807b5fadb865deabc141392810c7?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/4fcd0491a981f442745605a46a7ea3172d47807b5fadb865deabc141392810c7?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Murphy Blog"},"url":"https:\/\/murphybusiness.com\/blog\/author\/murphwp\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/murphybusiness.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1062","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/murphybusiness.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/murphybusiness.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/murphybusiness.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/murphybusiness.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1062"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/murphybusiness.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1062\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1069,"href":"https:\/\/murphybusiness.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1062\/revisions\/1069"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/murphybusiness.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1065"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/murphybusiness.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1062"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/murphybusiness.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1062"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/murphybusiness.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1062"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}