Online Vitamin and Supplement Store

Canadians who prefer ordering online, including people outside big cities and those seeking a specific type of product.

You sell products at a markup over wholesale. Subscriptions for regular reorders, bundles and free-shipping thresholds can lift average order value.

• Setting up and running an online shop
• Writing clear product descriptions
• Basic online marketing
• Organised order and stock handling

• Natural health products generally need Health Canada approval, so check each product's label for an NPN or DIN-HM
• Website claims must follow Health Canada rules, so avoid promising cures or benefits the label does not support
• Bilingual labelling and French-language rules if you sell into Quebec, so check requirements
• Check whether storing stock at home is allowed under your lease and any home-based business rules from your municipality
• Store stock safely, as heat and damp can spoil supplements, and track expiry dates
• Shipping costs and returns can eat into margin, so price carefully
• GST/HST and provincial sales tax rules for online sales across provinces
• Commercial general liability and product liability insurance

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on your website setup, opening stock and marketing. Shipping costs and returns can eat into margin, so price carefully.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $1,000 to $8,000, depending on your niche, marketing and range. These are estimates, not guarantees, and shipping and returns can reduce your margin.

Natural health products generally need Health Canada approval, so check each label for an NPN or DIN-HM. Website claims must follow Health Canada rules. Also check bilingual labelling for Quebec, sales tax rules across provinces and insurance.