Online toiletries and personal care store

Online shoppers who want a specific type of product, convenience or a regular delivery of their favourites.

Retail margin on products sold, plus higher order values from bundles, gift packs and subscriptions. Postage and ad costs need to be built into your prices.

• Online selling and basic marketing
• Photography and product descriptions
• Packing and stock organisation

• Check with the TGA whether any products you want to sell, such as fluoride toothpaste or sunscreen, need special handling
• Check cosmetic labelling and safety obligations under Australian Consumer Law and with the ACCC
• Rules on dangerous goods in post for some products, so check with Australia Post or your courier
• Check with your council if storing stock at home needs home-based business approval
• Product liability insurance, since you sell items that go on people's skin
• Postage and advertising costs can eat into thin margins
• GST registration once turnover reaches the threshold

Startup costs are typically around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on how much stock you buy, how you build your shop and what you spend on photography and marketing. These are estimates, so confirm with supplier quotes.

Monthly revenue is typically around $1,000 to $8,000, depending on your niche, range, pricing and marketing. That is revenue, not profit, and postage and advertising costs can eat into thin margins.

Check with the TGA whether products like fluoride toothpaste or sunscreen need special handling, and check cosmetic labelling and safety obligations under Australian Consumer Law and with the ACCC. Also check dangerous goods rules for post with your courier, and council rules on storing stock at home.