Who Owns Your Digital Empire? Protect & Value Your Invisible Assets Before You Sell Your Business
How to Protect and Strengthen the Value of What Buyers Cannot See
Welcome to ValuationPodcast.com, a resource focused on business growth, protection, and valuation strategy. I am Melissa Gragg, a financial mediator and business valuation professional based in St. Louis, Missouri.
In this episode, Melissa Gragg speaks with Paige Wiese, CEO of Tree Ring Digital, about a critical issue many business owners overlook: digital asset ownership, organization, and continuity.
Many owners assume their website, marketing platforms, and online tools are already managed, but that assumption can create serious risks when it is time to sell. Paige explains how digital assets extend far beyond a website and how gaps in ownership or access can slow due diligence, create legal disputes, reduce valuation, or stop a transaction altogether.
In this conversation, we discuss:
What qualifies as a digital asset and why the list is longer than most business owners expect
How companies unintentionally lose control of key accounts and platforms
The impact of disorganized digital assets on valuation, due diligence, and transaction timelines
Why digital continuity is just as important as operational continuity
How AI driven search is changing how businesses are discovered
Real examples of small oversights that result in significant financial consequences
Five Key Takeaways
Many business owners do not fully own or control their digital assets. Domains, hosting, ad accounts, analytics, CRMs, and social platforms are often tied to vendors or former employees instead of the company.
Lack of digital clarity complicates due diligence. Buyers expect transparency, and unclear ownership can lead to delays, renegotiations, or lower valuations.
Digital continuity is essential for business stability. Losing access to systems, data, or online platforms after a vendor or employee exits can disrupt operations and revenue.
AI enhanced search relies on strong digital fundamentals. Verified ownership, structured data, and authoritative signals remain critical even as AI becomes more prominent.
Digital asset audits should occur well before a business goes to market. Identifying and resolving gaps early helps protect deal value and reduce last minute issues.
Whether you are preparing for a sale, planning expansion, or simply want to protect what you have built, this episode offers practical guidance for strengthening your digital foundation.
Learn more and download Paige’s Digital Asset Protection Checklist:
treeringdigital.com/valuation