Online contact lens shop

Regular contact lens wearers who want convenience, repeat delivery or a lower price, including people in regional areas far from an optical store.

You earn the margin between your wholesale price and your shop price. Repeat orders from regular wearers are the main source of income, and you can add lens solutions and eye drops.

• Careful, accurate order checking
• Customer service by email and phone
• Basic online shop setup and marketing
• Organised record keeping

• Contact lenses are medical devices regulated by the TGA. Check with the TGA what applies to you, buy only from Australian suppliers whose products are included on the ARTG, and check whether importing lenses yourself would make you a sponsor with extra obligations
• Supply rules can differ between states and territories. Check with your state or territory health department whether an optometrist or other health practitioner must be involved in supplying lenses or checking prescriptions; if so, you may need to work with one before trading
• Check what prescription checking is expected, such as confirming the prescription is current and contacting the prescriber if in doubt, before you launch
• Public liability and product liability insurance, and whether you need professional indemnity cover
• Thin margins and strong competition from large online retailers, so work out your costs carefully
• Privacy of customers' health information. Check your obligations under the Privacy Act with the OAIC, as rules for health information can apply even to small businesses
• Check GST registration once turnover reaches the threshold

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on your website, initial stock and insurance. Margins are thin and large online retailers are strong competition, so work out your costs carefully before you launch.

Contact lenses are medical devices regulated by the TGA, so check what applies to you and buy only from suppliers whose products are on the ARTG. Also check with your state or territory health department whether an optometrist must be involved.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $1,500 to $7,500, depending on your customer numbers, pricing and repeat orders. That is revenue before costs. You could start with about 10 hours a week, and margins are thin.