The 7 Red Flags Buyers Look For

Buyers don’t walk away without reason. They see something they don’t like and they quietly vanish.
These are the seven biggest red flags that push them out of the door.

Inconsistent Financials

If your accounts don’t match your story, they’ll assume there’s more you’re not telling them.

No Management Team

Businesses where the owner does everything are worth significantly less. Buyers want continuity, not chaos.

Customer Concentration

One major customer equals one major risk. Buyers will either discount heavily or walk away entirely.

Weak Margins

Thin margins suggest deeper issues. Buyers don’t gamble.

High Staff Turnover

Consistent churn raises questions about culture and leadership.

No Contracts or Agreements

“Handshake deals” hold no value in a sale.

No Growth Strategy

If you can’t show where the next £500k of revenue is coming from, the valuation drops.

Fix these red flags and your business becomes far more attractive overnight.