Code/framework relevance when building a site to sell it

[cholmon]

When developing a site from scratch - with the intention of selling it - what kind of relevance is placed on the actual code? Assuming the site is a custom-built application, would most buyers prefer that it be built on a well-known framework (e.g., Symfony, CakePHP, Zend Framework, etc) as opposed to a home-grown framework/methodology, or is the codebase itself typically not much of a concern?

My assumption is that most folks would want to know that the site they're buying can easily be maintained and extended by any qualified contract developer, or even by themselves if they are so inclined. Thus, it might ease their mind to know that it's built on a framework that thousands of developers are familiar with. I'd personally hate to shell out $10k for a great site that is a nightmare under the hood, especially if problems arise down the line that might threaten its success if they aren't taken care of quickly. Problems scaling, security issues, etc.

[Edman]

I really don't think it matters. Well known frameworks have just as many problems with scaling. Security is an even bigger concern often as exploits in well known frameworks are found always, yet finding an exploiting in an application that is only used in one site is very difficult, as long as its not built crappily.

Also, custom built applications are just that, custom built, without all the bloat and unneccesary crap. Some of the frameworks have just got way too many files and stuff to get my head around them. And with every site being built on a different framework... its a bloody nightmare.

[Jeremy W.]

For us (sample size=1) it is incredibly important to know the dev environment. We don't buy sites where the stack or framework aren't ones we use right now. Or if we do, we discount that since we'll have to recode it.

[feketegy]

First question VCs ask if they like the website and the business model is: Nice, but does it scale?

[Jeremy W.]

First question VCs ask if they like the website and the business model is: Nice, but does it scale?

Not to be pedantic, but not really. Because scaling is the easiest thing to fix. Fixing the team, the idea, the market, the experience, the execution, the plan, etc is harder than fixing the technical scaling issues.