Online shelving and storage store

Homeowners and renters planning a tidy-up, small businesses, home offices and workshops that want to compare options and buy without visiting a store.

Mark-up on each unit sold, plus delivery charges and add-ons such as fixings, accessories or bundles of matching units.

• Online selling and basic website setup
• Writing clear product descriptions
• Supplier communication
• Customer service

• Damage and returns on heavy, bulky items, so check shipping costs and supplier return terms first
• GST/HST and provincial sales tax rules for online sales across provinces, check with the CRA and your province
• Commercial general liability and product liability insurance
• Home-based business licence rules in your municipality, if you store stock at home
• Product safety and accurate load-rating claims, check Health Canada guidance
• French-language requirements for your website and product information if you sell in Quebec

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on your website setup, any stock you hold and how much you rely on supplier shipping. Many orders can ship direct from the supplier.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $1,000 to $8,000, depending on your niche, website traffic and product range. These are revenue figures, so shipping, returns and supplier costs come out of them. Hours can start from about 10 a week.

Check shipping costs and supplier return terms for heavy items, GST/HST and provincial sales tax rules for online sales, product liability insurance, and home-based licence rules if you store stock at home. If you sell in Quebec, check French-language requirements.