Online branded merchandise service for businesses

Small and medium businesses, HR and marketing teams, event organisers and agencies that want branded items without handling the sourcing themselves.

Margin on each order, plus fees for design, packing or delivery to multiple addresses. Larger repeat clients and annual orders can lift the average order value.

• Online marketing and basic web skills
• Sales and account management
• Basic design or artwork checking

• Check that any logos or artwork clients provide are theirs to use, to avoid copyright or trademark trouble
• Overseas suppliers can mean long lead times and quality issues, order samples first
• Public liability and product liability insurance, check what your insurer needs
• Register for GST once turnover reaches the threshold
• Check Australian Consumer Law and product safety rules for items you sell, and your online terms and privacy policy

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $1,500 to $7,000, depending on your website, samples and tools. Revenue is typically around $1,000 to $8,000 a month, depending on how many business clients you win and the size of their orders.

Check that logos or artwork clients provide are theirs to use, and check Australian Consumer Law and product safety rules for items you sell, plus your online terms and privacy policy. Also check what insurance your insurer needs and GST registration once turnover reaches the threshold.

Estimates suggest at least around 15 hours a week, depending on your client numbers. Useful skills include online marketing and basic web skills, sales and account management, and basic design or artwork checking. Overseas suppliers can mean long lead times, so order samples first.