Online specialty toy store

Parents and relatives buying gifts online, and sometimes teachers or childcare centres ordering in bulk.

You sell at a markup on wholesale cost, plus delivery fees. Bundles and gift sets help raise the average order.

• Setting up an online store
• Product photos and descriptions
• Packing and managing orders

• Product safety standards for toys, check requirements with the ACCC and your suppliers
• Australian Consumer Law on refunds and faulty goods
• Postage costs on bulky items, which can eat into profit
• Busy online competition, so a clear niche matters
• Council approval if you store stock at home, check with your local council

Startup costs are typically around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on how much stock you hold, your website setup and whether a supplier ships for you. These figures are estimates, so check them against your own plans.

Check product safety standards for toys with the ACCC and your suppliers. Also check Australian Consumer Law on refunds and faulty goods, and whether council approval is needed if you store stock at home.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $500 to $4,000, depending on your niche, pricing and postage costs on bulky items. It is revenue, not profit. Expect to spend at least 8 hours a week.