Renting my website - should I?

Ok here's the problem. Very recently I opened up a company that has not started to trade yet. I've created a website and SEO'd it and is ranking for a handful of keywords. Because of uni I can not maintain this business which primarily involves answering calls and booking clients. I just let the website sit and received calls which I did not answer.

Now a company approached me and said that they would pay me a reasonable amount a month if I forwarded my number to theirs and allowed them to collect leads via the form on the website.


In essence, the company is taking my customers and leads via diversion with a monthly fee I get to keep. However this is temporary, so I can study then resume after I finish hopefully.

The problem is let's say for example if the "company" deals with customers from my website in a negative way such as taking their money and not giving the service they wanted, which is possible. I would be responsible, wouldn't I? Is there a way around this so I don't get in trouble.

Thanks in advance.

As long as you have a disclaimer I think you re sure

Should I get the company to sign a paper?

I've rented websites off people - so it's possible. As to your worries, I'd say it's not a drama, as any actual transaction will be between them and the customer. About the only negative I can see is that you'll lose any recurring business (if there is any) from the customers in that time.

Just for reference I'll explain the way it works for me.

I'm in destination based travel. I rent the fully built website from a competitor for a contracted period of time (usually 12 months). I seo the site using 301's and other methods that I can turn off when the contract expires.

All contacts go directly to me using their booking/info email addresses. When contact is made it's done with my own emails, so any return business comes directly to me. Doing it this way also means any refunds/dramas are my problem.

When the contract expires I knock off the 301's and other links, therefore plummeting them back in the rankings to where they were before the deal.

The problem I see is that this "company" is essentially stealing your customers away from you for a monthly fee. Depending on
the money you are making hire a virtual assistant to help you out when you are not available and keep your business model solid
and away from sharks.

It's a great model - great way for you to generate cash from an otherwise idle site, and a great way for them to get leads flowing immediately.
I have more than a handful of sites ranked specifically to rent them... any generic local business is great, because you can easily rent it.

This should be a great way to jumpstart your earnings from site. Good luck!