Online Map and Atlas Store
Sell trail maps, road atlases and wall maps online to hikers, paddlers, travellers and collectors.
- C$1.5k-6k
- Side hustle
- Online
Estimates for a small start in Canada, not guarantees.
What it is
A web shop focused on maps: regional trail and recreation maps, topographic maps, road atlases, wall maps and gift maps. You can add a niche, such as a province, canoe routes or antique map reprints. You run it from home and ship from a shelf or spare room.
Your first three steps
- Pick a niche, such as your province's trails or paddling routes, and list the publishers and distributors you would buy from
- Ask publishers about wholesale accounts, and order a small first stock of the best sellers
- Set up a simple online shop with clear photos and a shipping price table, then tell local hiking and paddling clubs
Who pays
Hikers, campers, paddlers, cottage owners, travellers, teachers, gift buyers and map collectors.
How it makes money
You buy at wholesale and sell at retail, with a margin on each item. Extra income can come from shipping fees, framing or mounting upgrades, and bundles such as a map plus a guidebook.
Skills that help
- Basic online shop setup
- Knowing maps and outdoor activities
- Order packing and customer service
Watch out for
- Check with your municipality whether a home-based business licence or zoning permission is needed
- Collect GST/HST or provincial sales tax as required, and check your registration threshold with the CRA
- Check licensing and copyright terms before reprinting or reselling any map images
- Shipping tubes and flat maps can be costly, so test your shipping prices first
- Sales are seasonal, with more activity in summer and before the holidays
- If you sell to Quebec customers, check French-language rules for your website
🔒 Full research report for Canada
Real cost breakdown with current prices, licences and registration checklist, local competition, pricing, break-even and a 30-day launch plan, with sources.
Coming soonQuestions people ask
How much does it cost to start an online map store in Canada?
Startup costs are typically estimated at around $1,500 to $6,000, depending on your stock, website and how much you invest in a niche range. Monthly revenue is estimated at around $800 to $4,000.
Do I need a licence to sell maps online from home in Canada?
Check with your municipality whether a home-based business licence or zoning permission is needed. Also check licensing and copyright terms before reprinting or reselling any map images, and your GST/HST or provincial sales tax registration threshold with the CRA.
How many hours a week does an online map shop take?
The estimate is a minimum of around 8 hours a week, depending on order volume. Sales are seasonal, with more activity in summer and before the holidays, and shipping tubes and flat maps can be costly, so test your shipping prices first.
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