Online clothing boutique

Shoppers in your niche who buy through your website, Instagram or Facebook and want something different from the big chains.

You buy at wholesale and sell at retail, keeping the margin after postage, payment fees, returns and advertising. Selling out of a range quickly lets you reinvest in new stock.

• Spotting trends in your niche
• Basic photography and social media
• Stock tracking and customer service

• Check ABN and GST registration rules once your turnover grows
• Australian Consumer Law covers refunds, faults and fair descriptions, so check your obligations
• Unsold stock ties up cash, so start small and avoid over-ordering
• Check council rules if you run the business and store stock at home
• Imported clothing may have labelling requirements, check the ACCC guidance

Startup costs are typically around $1,500 to $8,000, depending mainly on how much stock you buy and how you set up your online store. Unsold stock ties up cash, so starting small can help. These are estimates only.

Check ABN and GST registration rules once turnover grows, and your obligations under Australian Consumer Law on refunds, faults and fair descriptions. Imported clothing may have labelling requirements, so check the ACCC guidance. Check council rules if you store stock at home.

Monthly revenue is typically around $500 to $5,000, depending on your niche, your range and how well you promote the shop. You would typically plan on at least about 8 hours a week. These figures are estimates, not guarantees.