Online homeware store

People furnishing a first home, updating a room, or looking for gifts for housewarmings, weddings and birthdays.

You buy stock wholesale (or through a dropship supplier) and sell at a markup. Profit depends on margins after shipping, payment fees and advertising.

• An eye for style and trends
• Basic online shop setup
• Packing and posting orders carefully
• Social media and photography

• Australian Consumer Law: check your obligations on refunds, guarantees and accurate product descriptions
• Fragile items break in transit, so check packaging costs and consider shipping insurance
• Check whether you need to register for GST once turnover nears the threshold
• If storing stock or packing at home, check whether your council needs approval for a home-based business
• Check product safety rules for items like candles and children's homeware

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on how much stock you buy, your website setup and packaging. Fragile items may add packaging and shipping insurance costs.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $500 to $5,000, depending on your range, how well you market it and how many orders you ship. Around eight hours a week or more is a typical starting point.

Things to check: Australian Consumer Law obligations on refunds, guarantees and product descriptions, GST registration as turnover grows, council approval if you pack or store stock at home, and product safety rules for items like candles.