Online children's clothing and toy shop

Parents, grandparents and carers shopping for children, including gift buyers and parents looking for good-value basics.

You earn the gap between what you pay for stock and your selling price, plus any shipping fees you charge. Bundles and seasonal collections can raise the average order.

• Choosing products parents want
• Basic photography and listing writing
• Packing orders and handling customer questions

• Children's product safety rules: check Health Canada requirements for toys, cribs, car seats and children's clothing before you sell, and avoid items that have been recalled
• Sales tax: check when you need to register for GST/HST and how provincial sales taxes apply to online sales
• Shipping costs across Canada's long distances can eat into margins, so test your prices
• Stock that doesn't sell as kids grow and seasons change, so buy small at first
• Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence

Startup costs are typically around $500 to $4,000, depending on whether you buy new wholesale stock or pre-loved items. Monthly revenue is estimated at around $300 to $3,000, depending on your range and how much you sell.

Check Health Canada requirements for toys, cribs, car seats and children's clothing before you sell, and avoid recalled items. Also check when to register for GST/HST, how provincial sales taxes apply to online sales, and whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence.

Time needed is estimated at a minimum of around 8 hours a week. Useful skills are choosing products parents want, basic photography and listing writing, and packing orders. Buy small at first, since stock can go unsold as kids grow and seasons change.