BusinessesForSale.com Scraper

Unlock the Power of Global Business Listings - The most comprehensive scraper for extracting detailed business-for-sale data from BusinessesForSale.com. Whether you're an investor, business broker, or market analyst, our scraper delivers accurate, structured data to help you identify opportunities, analyze market trends, and make data-driven decisions.

"From small startups to established franchises, transform business listings into actionable insights."

Overview

The BusinessesForSale.com Scraper is a robust tool designed to extract comprehensive business listing data from the world's leading business-for-sale marketplace. Ideal for investors, entrepreneurs, and market researchers, it captures detailed business information, financials, and operational data from listings worldwide. With its easy setup and structured JSON output, it's the perfect solution for anyone looking to gather and analyze business acquisition opportunities.

What does BusinessesForSale.com Scraper do?

The BusinessesForSale.com Scraper is a powerful tool that enables you to:

Comprehensive Business Data Collection

• Business Listings
  • Extract complete business details including descriptions, financials, and operations
  • Scrape comprehensive listing data including asking price, revenue, and cash flow
  • Gather detailed business features, assets, and equipment
  • Analyze business types, industries, and operational models
  • Download high-quality business images and media content
• Location & Market Data
  • Scrape precise business location information
  • Extract market positioning and competitive landscape
  • Gather industry-specific data and trends
  • Access price comparison data for similar businesses

Advanced Scraping Capabilities

• Structured Data Extraction: Leverages JSON-LD and embedded JavaScript data for reliable information
• Pagination Handling: Automatically navigates through all search result pages
• Efficient Processing: Processes only new or updated listings in subsequent runs
• Change Detection: Identifies price changes, status updates, and new listings
• Scheduled Monitoring: Set up automated runs to keep your business data current
• Incremental Data Collection: Build comprehensive business datasets over time
• Proxy Support: Built-in proxy rotation to prevent IP blocking
• Retry Mechanism: Automatic retries for failed requests to ensure data completeness

Flexible Scraping Options

• Search Results: Extract business listings by search criteria, location, or category
  • Example: https://www.businessesforsale.com/search/health-and-safety-businesses-for-sale
  • Example: https://www.businessesforsale.com/usa/restaurants-cafes-and-bars-for-sale
• Individual Listings: Target specific businesses using direct URLs
  • Example: https://newzealand.businessesforsale.com/newzealand/770-000-np-niche-product-distribution-business-operate-anywhere.aspx

Who is this tool for?

This scraper is specifically designed for:

• Business Brokers

  • Maintain an up-to-date database of businesses for sale
  • Monitor competitor listings and market positioning
  • Identify potential buyers by analyzing search patterns

• Investors & Acquirers

  • Discover investment opportunities across industries and regions
  • Track price trends and valuation metrics
  • Build a pipeline of potential acquisition targets

• Market Researchers

  • Analyze business valuation trends across sectors
  • Track industry-specific market activity
  • Generate reports on business-for-sale market dynamics

• Entrepreneurs

  • Research business opportunities in specific locations
  • Understand pricing and valuation of similar businesses
  • Identify market gaps and opportunities

• Data Analysts

  • Build comprehensive datasets of business listings
  • Perform competitive analysis across industries
  • Create custom business valuation models

Features

• Comprehensive Data Extraction: Extract detailed business information including:

  • Business descriptions and key highlights
  • Financial data (asking price, revenue, cash flow)
  • Operational details and business model
  • Location and property information
  • Seller information and contact details

• Dual Scraping Modes:

  • Search Results: Scrape all businesses from search results with automatic pagination
    • Filter by location, industry, price range, and other criteria
    • Example: https://www.businessesforsale.com/search/restaurants-for-sale/usa
  • Individual Listings: Target specific businesses using direct URLs
    • Get complete details for a single business listing
    • Example: https://www.businessesforsale.com/california/established-coffee-shop-for-sale-1

• Advanced Data Processing:

  • Extract and parse JSON-LD structured data
  • Process embedded JavaScript objects for additional metadata
  • Clean and normalize data for consistency
  • Handle international character sets and formatting

• Performance & Reliability:

  • Configurable concurrency for optimal performance
  • Automatic retry mechanism for failed requests
  • Built-in proxy support to prevent IP blocking
  • Efficient resource management for large-scale scraping

• Output & Integration:

  • Structured JSON output for easy processing
  • Support for custom data transformations
  • Seamless integration with data analysis tools
  • Compatible with Apify's data storage and export options

Supported Listing Categories

The BusinessesForSale.com Scraper can extract data from a wide range of business categories and listing types. Here are some of the main categories supported:

1. By Business Type

   • Established Businesses: Profitable, operational businesses with a track record
     • Example: https://www.businessesforsale.com/search/established-businesses-for-sale
   • Franchises: Turnkey business opportunities with established systems
     • Example: https://www.businessesforsale.com/search/franchises-for-sale
   • Startups & New Businesses: Ground-floor opportunities with growth potential
     • Example: https://www.businessesforsale.com/search/startup-businesses-for-sale
   • Business Assets: Equipment, inventory, and intellectual property
     • Example: https://www.businessesforsale.com/search/business-assets-for-sale

2. By Industry

   • Food & Hospitality: Restaurants, cafes, bars, and catering businesses
     • Example: https://www.businessesforsale.com/search/restaurants-cafes-and-bars-for-sale
   • Retail: Stores, shops, and e-commerce businesses
     • Example: https://www.businessesforsale.com/search/retail-businesses-for-sale
   • Service Businesses: Professional and personal service providers
     • Example: https://www.businessesforsale.com/search/service-businesses-for-sale
   • Manufacturing & Wholesale: Production and distribution businesses
     • Example: https://www.businessesforsale.com/search/manufacturing-and-engineering-businesses-for-sale
   • Healthcare & Medical: Medical practices, clinics, and related services
     • Example: https://www.businessesforsale.com/search/healthcare-and-medical-businesses-for-sale

3. By Location

   • Country-specific Listings: Filter businesses by country
     • Example: https://www.businessesforsale.com/usa/businesses-for-sale
   • Regional Listings: Narrow down by state, province, or region
     • Example: https://www.businessesforsale.com/california/businesses-for-sale
   • City Listings: Find businesses in specific cities
     • Example: https://www.businessesforsale.com/los-angeles/businesses-for-sale

4. By Financials

   • Price Range: Filter by asking price
     • Example: https://www.businessesforsale.com/search/under-100k-businesses-for-sale
   • Revenue & Cash Flow: Find businesses by financial performance
     • Example: https://www.businessesforsale.com/search/high-cash-flow-businesses-for-sale
   • Seller Financing: Listings with owner financing options
     • Example: https://www.businessesforsale.com/search/seller-financing-businesses-for-sale

Each listing includes comprehensive data fields such as:

• Basic information (title, description, location, status)
• Financial details (asking price, revenue, cash flow, etc.)
• Business operations (employees, hours, facilities)
• Property information (if applicable)
• Seller details and contact information
• Images and media

Quick Start

Get started with the BusinessesForSale.com Scraper in just a few simple steps:

Option 1: Using Apify Platform (Recommended)

1. Sign up for Apify

   • Create your free account at apify.com
   • No credit card required to get started

2. Find the Scraper

   • Visit the Apify Store
   • Search for "BusinessesForSale.com Scraper"
   • Click on the actor to view details

3. Configure Your Scrape

   • Click "Try for free" to open the configuration page
   • Add your target URLs in the startUrls field:
     • Search results (e.g., https://www.businessesforsale.com/search/restaurants-for-sale/usa)
     • Individual listings (e.g., https://www.businessesforsale.com/california/established-coffee-shop-for-sale-1)
   • Adjust advanced settings if needed (concurrency, proxy, etc.)

4. Run the Scraper

   • Click "Start" to begin the scrape
   • Monitor progress in real-time
   • Download results in JSON, CSV, Excel, or other formats

5. Analyze Your Data

   • Use the built-in dataset preview
   • Export to your preferred analysis tools
   • Set up webhooks for automated data delivery

Next Steps

• Check out the Input Configuration section for advanced options
• Learn about monitoring mode for tracking new listings
• Explore the sample output to understand the data structure

Input Configuration

The BusinessesForSale.com Scraper is highly configurable to meet your specific data extraction needs. Below is a comprehensive guide to configuring the scraper's input parameters.

Basic Configuration Example

{
    "startUrls": [
        {
            "url": "https://www.businessesforsale.com/search/restaurants-for-sale/california",
            "userData": {
                "label": "RESTAURANTS_CALIFORNIA",
                "priority": 1
            }
        },
        {
            "url": "https://www.businessesforsale.com/california/established-coffee-shop-for-sale-1",
            "userData": {
                "label": "DETAIL_PAGE"
            }
        }
    ],
    "maxItems": 500,
    "maxConcurrency": 5,
    "minConcurrency": 1,
    "maxRequestRetries": 5,
    "requestTimeoutSecs": 60,
    "proxyConfiguration": {
        "useApifyProxy": true,
        "apifyProxyGroups": ["RESIDENTIAL"]
    },
    
}

Input Fields Explanation

Core Configuration

• startUrls (Array, Required)

  • List of URLs to start scraping from
  • Each URL can include additional metadata in the userData object
  • Supports both search result pages and individual business listings
  • Example:

    [
        {
            "url": "https://www.businessesforsale.com/search/restaurants-for-sale/california",
            "userData": {
                "label": "RESTAURANTS_CALIFORNIA"
            }
        }
    ]
    

• maxItems (Number, Optional, Default: 1000)

  • Maximum number of business listings to scrape
  • Set to 0 for unlimited (not recommended for large searches)

• monitoringMode (Boolean, Optional, Default: false)

  • When enabled, only new or updated listings will be scraped
  • Uses stored data from previous runs to determine changes
  • Ideal for tracking price changes or new listings

Performance Settings

• maxConcurrency (Number, Optional, Default: 10)

  • Maximum number of concurrent page requests
  • Higher values may lead to faster scraping but increased risk of being blocked

• minConcurrency (Number, Optional, Default: 1)

  • Minimum number of concurrent page requests
  • Helps maintain a steady scraping speed

• maxRequestRetries (Number, Optional, Default: 5)

  • Number of retry attempts for failed requests
  • Helps handle temporary network issues or rate limiting

• requestTimeoutSecs (Number, Optional, Default: 60)

  • Maximum time (in seconds) to wait for a page to load
  • Increase for slower connections or when scraping detailed pages

Proxy & Session Management

• proxyConfiguration (Object, Optional)

  • Configuration for proxy usage
  • Recommended to use Apify Proxy for reliable scraping
  • Example:

    {
        "useApifyProxy": true,
        "apifyProxyGroups": ["RESIDENTIAL"],
        "apifyProxyCountry": "US"
    }
    

• sessionPoolName (String, Optional)

  • Name for the session pool
  • Useful for maintaining sessions across multiple runs

Custom Data Extraction

• customData (Object, Optional)
  • Additional configuration for data extraction
  • Available options:
    • scrapeContactInfo (Boolean): Include seller contact information (default: true)
    • includeRawHtml (Boolean): Include raw HTML in the output (default: false)
    • maxImages (Number): Maximum number of images to download per listing (default: 10)

Advanced Configuration Examples

Scraping Multiple Search Results

{
    "startUrls": [
        {
            "url": "https://www.businessesforsale.com/search/restaurants-for-sale/california",
            "userData": {
                "label": "RESTAURANTS_CALIFORNIA"
            }
        },
        {
            "url": "https://www.businessesforsale.com/search/coffee-shops-for-sale/california",
            "userData": {
                "label": "COFFEE_SHOPS_CALIFORNIA"
            }
        }
    ],
    "maxItems": 200,
    "maxConcurrency": 5,
    "proxyConfiguration": {
        "useApifyProxy": true
    }
}

Detailed Business Information

{
    "startUrls": [
        {
            "url": "https://www.businessesforsale.com/california/established-coffee-shop-for-sale-1"
        }
    ],
    "customData": {
        "scrapeContactInfo": true,
        "includeRawHtml": true,
        "maxImages": 20
    },
    "requestTimeoutSecs": 120
}

Example Use Cases

• Investors: Get notified when businesses in your target sector reduce their asking price
• Business Brokers: Track new listings that match your clients' criteria
• Market Analysts: Monitor pricing trends in specific industries or regions
• Entrepreneurs: Stay informed about new business opportunities in your area

Integration with External Systems

Monitoring mode can be integrated with various systems using webhooks or API calls:

{
    "monitoringOptions": {
        "webhookUrl": "https://your-app.com/webhook/business-updates",
        "webhookHeaders": {
            "Authorization": "Bearer YOUR_API_KEY",
            "Content-Type": "application/json"
        },
        "webhookPayload": {
            "source": "businessesforsale-scraper",
            "eventType": "{{eventType}}",
            "listingId": "{{listingId}}",
            "changes": "{{changes}}",
            "timestamp": "{{timestamp}}"
        }
    }
}

This allows you to build custom alerts, dashboards, or automated workflows based on the scraped data.

Output Structure

The BusinessesForSale.com Scraper provides structured data extracted from business listings, including JSON-LD data and search view model information. The output is designed to be comprehensive yet easy to process, with all relevant business information organized in a logical hierarchy.

Data Extraction Methods

The scraper employs multiple techniques to extract data:

1. JSON-LD Extraction

   • Parses <script type="application/ld+json"> elements
   • Extracts structured data following schema.org standards
   • Focuses on @type": "ItemList" for business listings

2. JavaScript Object Extraction

   • Parses embedded JavaScript objects like searchViewModel
   • Extracts metadata including:
     • searchCriteria: Filters and search parameters
     • searchTags: Categorization tags
     • ageFilter: Listing age information
     • listingsCount: Total number of listings
     • url: Canonical URL of the search results

3. HTML Parsing

   • Uses Cheerio for efficient DOM traversal
   • Extracts content from specific HTML elements and attributes
   • Handles dynamic content loaded via JavaScript

Sample JSON Output

Below is an example of the structured output, combining data from multiple sources:

{
    // Basic Listing Information
    "listingId": "3828111",
    "title": "$770,000 NP. Niche Product Distribution Business. Operate Anywhere For Sale",
    "location": "New Zealand",
    "status": ["New"],
    "url": "https://newzealand.businessesforsale.com/newzealand/770-000-np-niche-product-distribution-business-operate-anywhere.aspx",
    
    // Financial Information (from JSON-LD and structured data)
    "financials": {
        "askingPrice": {
            "amount": 3890000,
            "currency": "NZD",
            "formatted": "$3,890,000 (NZD)",
            "priceType": "Asking Price"
        },
        "salesRevenue": {
            "amount": null,
            "formatted": "Undisclosed",
            "period": "Annual"
        },
        "cashFlow": {
            "amount": 770000,
            "formatted": "$770,000",
            "period": "Annual",
            "year": 2025
        },
        "ebitda": null,
        "ffne": null,
        "inventoryValue": null
    },
    
    // Images and Media
    "media": {
        "images": [
            {
                "src": "https://newzealand.businessesforsale.com/uploads/f4949fec-b89c-42b1-b5e8-b321000672ea.jpg",
                "alt": "770 000 np niche - 1",
                "fullSizeUrl": "https://newzealand.businessesforsale.com/uploads/e8340719-5ae7-462c-8365-b32100067301.jpg",
                "thumbnail": "https://newzealand.businessesforsale.com/uploads/f4949fec-b89c-42b1-b5e8-b321000672ea.jpg",
                "type": "image/jpeg"
            }
        ],
        "totalPhotos": 2,
        "hasVideo": false,
        "hasVirtualTour": false
    },
    
    // Business Description
    "description": {
        "summary": "A rare opportunity to acquire a highly successful and scalable drug and alcohol product supply business...",
        "fullText": [
            "A rare opportunity to acquire a highly successful and scalable drug and alcohol product supply business...",
            "This business specialises in importing and distributing market-leading products through major retail chains..."
        ],
        "highlights": [
            "Net profit of $770,000 for FY2025",
            "Exclusive, globally recognised products in a niche, high-growth industry",
            "Diversified client base across public, private, and direct-to-consumer sectors"
        ],
        "businessOverview": {
            "yearEstablished": null,
            "reasonForSelling": null,
            "employees": "Offshore team handles all non-packing functions",
            "facilities": "Operates from 2x company-owned shipping containers",
            "inventory": "25 SKUs, most under 1kg",
            "competition": null,
            "growthOpportunities": ["Australian expansion", "Untapped markets"]
        }
    },
    
    // Property and Location
    "location": {
        "address": {
            "streetAddress": "Not disclosed",
            "addressLocality": "Auckland",
            "addressRegion": "Auckland",
            "postalCode": null,
            "addressCountry": "New Zealand"
        },
        "geo": {
            "latitude": null,
            "longitude": null
        },
        "operatingRegions": ["Australia", "New Zealand"],
        "relocatable": true,
        "homeBased": true
    },
    
    // Business Operations
    "operations": {
        "hours": {
            "operation": "Flexible hours, owner-operated under 25 hours/week"
        },
        "staffing": {
            "employees": "Offshore team",
            "managementInPlace": true,
            "trainingProvided": true
        },
        "facilities": {
            "ownedOrLeased": "Owned",
            "size": null,
            "facilitiesDescription": "2x company-owned shipping containers"
        },
        "inventory": {
            "included": true,
            "value": null,
            "description": "25 SKUs, most under 1kg"
        },
        "expansionPotential": ["Australian market", "New product lines"]
    },
    
    // Financial Performance
    "financialPerformance": {
        "revenue": {
            "currentAnnual": null,
            "projectedAnnual": null,
            "trend": "Growing"
        },
        "profitability": {
            "netProfit": 770000,
            "netProfitMargin": null,
            "ebitda": null
        },
        "financialHighlights": [
            "Strong year-on-year growth",
            "Recurring revenue model",
            "Low overhead costs"
        ]
    },
    
    // Seller Information
    "seller": {
        "type": "Owner",
        "reasonForSelling": "Pursuing other ventures",
        "supportAndTraining": "Full support during transition period",
        "financingAvailable": false,
        "relocatable": true
    },
    
    // Related Listings and Categories
    "related": {
        "categories": [
            {
                "name": "Miscellaneous Distribution Businesses",
                "url": "https://newzealand.businessesforsale.com/newzealand/search/miscellaneous-distribution-businesses-for-sale"
            },
            {
                "name": "Medical Supply Businesses",
                "url": "https://newzealand.businessesforsale.com/newzealand/search/medical-supply-businesses-for-sale"
            }
        ],
        "similarListings": []
    },
    
    // Metadata and SEO
    "metadata": {
        "title": "Buy a $770,000 NP. Niche Product Distribution Business. Operate Anywhere - BusinessesForSale.com",
        "description": "A rare opportunity to acquire a highly successful and scalable drug and alcohol product supply business...",
        "keywords": ["distribution business", "niche products", "for sale", "New Zealand", "Australia"],
        "canonicalUrl": "https://newzealand.businessesforsale.com/newzealand/770-000-np-niche-product-distribution-business-operate-anywhere.aspx",
        "ogTitle": "Buy a $770,000 NP. Niche Product Distribution Business. Operate Anywhere",
        "ogDescription": "A rare opportunity to acquire a highly successful and scalable drug and alcohol product supply business...",
        "ogImage": "https://www.businessesforsale.com/Content/Shared/images/facebookDefaultImage.jpg"
    },
    
    // Search View Model Data
    "searchData": {
        "searchCriteria": {
            "location": "New Zealand",
            "industry": ["Distribution", "Medical Supplies"],
            "priceRange": {
                "min": null,
                "max": null,
                "currency": "NZD"
            },
            "keywords": ["niche", "distribution", "Australia", "New Zealand"]
        },
        "searchTags": ["distribution", "b2b", "import-export", "healthcare"],
        "listingsCount": 1,
        "pagination": {
            "currentPage": 1,
            "totalPages": 1,
            "resultsPerPage": 10,
            "totalResults": 1
        },
        "sortBy": "relevance",
        "filters": {
            "businessStatus": ["New"],
            "priceType": ["Asking Price"],
            "sellerType": ["Owner"]
        }
    },
    
    // JSON-LD Structured Data
    "structuredData": {
        "@context": "https://schema.org",
        "@type": "Product",
        "name": "$770,000 NP. Niche Product Distribution Business. Operate Anywhere",
        "description": "A rare opportunity to acquire a highly successful and scalable drug and alcohol product supply business...",
        "offers": {
            "@type": "Offer",
            "price": 3890000,
            "priceCurrency": "NZD",
            "availability": "https://schema.org/InStock",
            "url": "https://newzealand.businessesforsale.com/newzealand/770-000-np-niche-product-distribution-business-operate-anywhere.aspx"
        },
        "itemCondition": "https://schema.org/UsedCondition"
    },
    
    // System Information
    "system": {
        "scrapedAt": "2025-01-15T10:30:00Z",
        "source": "BusinessesForSale.com",
        "version": "1.0.0"
    }
}

Output Fields Explanation

The scraper returns a comprehensive dataset for each business listing on BusinessesForSale.com. Below is a detailed explanation of all fields in the JSON output.

Basic Information

• listingId (String): Unique BusinessesForSale.com business identifier (e.g., "3828111")
• title (String): Complete business listing title including price and description
• location (String): Geographic location where the business is situated (e.g., "New Zealand")
• status (Array): Current listing status indicators (e.g., ["New"])
• url (String): Direct URL to the business listing page

Financial Information

• askingPrice.amount (String): Numerical asking price value without formatting
• askingPrice.currency (String): Currency code for the asking price (e.g., "NZD", "USD")
• askingPrice.formatted (String): Formatted price display with currency symbol and formatting
• salesRevenue (String): Annual sales revenue figure or "Undisclosed" if not provided
• cashFlow (String): Annual cash flow figure or "Undisclosed" if not provided

Images and Media

• images (Array): Collection of business listing images with the following properties:
  • src (String): Primary image source URL
  • alt (String): Alternative text description for the image
  • fullSizeUrl (String): URL for full-resolution image
  • thumbnail (String): URL for thumbnail version of the image
• photoCount (Number): Total number of photos available for the listing

Business Description

• description.paragraphs (Array): Main business description broken into paragraphs
• description.keyHighlights (Array): Bullet-pointed key selling points and business highlights

Property and Location Details

• propertyInfo (Object): Physical location and property information with dynamic keys based on available data

Business Operations

• businessOperation (Object): Operational details including:
  • Management structure and requirements
  • Expansion potential and growth opportunities
  • Current operational model

Additional Information

• otherInfo (Object): Miscellaneous business details such as:
  • Support and training availability
  • Transition assistance
  • Special terms or conditions

Related Businesses and Categories

• relatedBusinesses (Array): Similar business listings with:
  • name (String): Category or business type name
  • url (String): URL to browse similar businesses
• categoryUrl (String): Direct URL to the business category page
• categoryName (String): Descriptive name of the business category
• contactUrl (String): URL for contacting the seller or broker

SEO and Metadata

• meta.title (String): HTML page title for SEO
• meta.description (String): Meta description for search engines
• meta.ogTitle (String): Open Graph title for social media sharing
• meta.ogDescription (String): Open Graph description for social media
• meta.ogImage (String): Open Graph image URL for social media previews
• meta.canonicalUrl (String): Canonical URL for the listing page

Structured Data

• basicInfo (Object): JSON-LD structured data including:
  • @type (String): Schema.org type, typically "ListItem"
  • position (Number): Position in search results or listings
  • url (String): Canonical URL for the business listing
  • name (String): Business listing name for structured data

---

Explore More Scrapers

If you found this Apify Scraper useful, be sure to check out our other powerful scrapers and actors at memo23's Apify profile. We offer a wide range of tools to enhance your web scraping and automation needs across various platforms and use cases.

Support

• For issues or feature requests, please use the Issues section of this actor.
• If you need customization or have questions, feel free to contact the author:
  • Author's website: https://muhamed-didovic.github.io/
  • Email: muhamed.didovic@gmail.com

Additional Services

• Request customization or whole dataset: muhamed.didovic@gmail.com
• If you need anything else scraped, or this actor customized, email: muhamed.didovic@gmail.com
• For API services of this scraper (no Apify fee, just usage fee for the API), contact: muhamed.didovic@gmail.com
• Email: muhamed.didovic@gmail.com