Steve Sanders, founder and principal reviewer of Steves-Digicams.com, one of the original big digital camera review sites, announced on Tuesday that the website has been sold to Internet Brands, an internet media company. Internet Brands, which owns a portfolio of more than 100 web properties and e-commerce sites, had revenues of $104 million in 2008, up from $89 million the year before. Steve's Digicams publishes more than 100 digital camera reviews a year. The site was founded 12 years ago, and is known for excellent review summaries and for pioneering the first "Digital Photo of the Day" contest.
The sale price has not been disclosed, but Internet Brands did reveal that it purchased CVTips.com, GrooveJob.com, Steves-Digicams.com, and SellMyCar.com in Q4 2008 for an aggregate price of $2.8 million.
... in other words, you are an almost-millionaire Mike!
Posted by: Christer Almqvist | Thursday, 26 February 2009 at 03:29 AM
Over the years I had 2 or 3 photos selected as POTD at Steve's. I felt like a celebrity when emails arrived from all over asking me about the photos. Steve thanks for my 15 minutes of photo fame.
Posted by: EmmJay | Thursday, 26 February 2009 at 07:36 AM
Can't wait for bidding to start for the online photographer site. Mike, your lottery ticket has arrived.
Eric
Posted by: Eric Mac | Thursday, 26 February 2009 at 08:24 AM
Good for Steve! His site was the one I visited mostly when I was looking for my first digital camera in 2002.
Good reviews and samples, and the always entertaining 360 view.
The layout of the site does still look very nineties, that's a shame.
Posted by: Jan | Thursday, 26 February 2009 at 09:49 AM
Maybe they can afford someone to redesign that site.
Posted by: Tom | Thursday, 26 February 2009 at 10:29 AM
Please don't sell TOP, Mike.
Unless they offer you 7 figures--in that case you should definitely sell.
Posted by: Miserere | Thursday, 26 February 2009 at 11:00 AM
Mike Chaney writes a monthly column for Steves, hope he finds another venue
Posted by: Charles Maclauchlan | Thursday, 26 February 2009 at 02:19 PM
Dear Mike,
Selling this site would completely compromise its integrity and ultimately destroy the valuable service you've created for the photographic community.
I could be persuaded to rethink that position for a suitable cut. Details, as always, are negotiable.
pax / ever-principled Ctein
Posted by: ctein | Thursday, 26 February 2009 at 09:02 PM
I did get an offer once. The offer was two weeks in a timeshare in Mendocino, $800 in rolled quarters, and a used Weber grill. I thought about it, but declined.
I have my standards <*sniff*>.
Mike
Posted by: Mike Johnston | Thursday, 26 February 2009 at 09:14 PM