Online telescope and stargazing store

Hobbyists, students, parents buying for children, gift buyers and people in rural or small-town areas with no local specialist shop.

The margin between the wholesale and retail price on each product, plus accessories and add-ons that raise the order value. Sales are usually busiest before the winter holidays.

• Learning the products well enough to advise beginners
• Basic website and online shop setup
• Customer service by email or chat
• Organising stock and shipping

• Check whether you need to register for GST/HST and how provincial sales tax applies where you sell
• Telescopes are bulky, fragile and costly to ship, so check couriers, packaging and insurance for damage in transit
• Check your municipality's rules if you plan to store stock at home or run the business from there
• If you import stock, check customs duties and import costs
• Tight margins and competition from large online retailers, so avoid tying up too much money in stock
• If you sell to customers in Quebec, check the French-language requirements for websites and sales material
• Check commercial general liability insurance and product return rules

Startup costs are estimated at typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on your stock, website setup and shipping supplies. Margins are tight and large online retailers compete, so avoid tying up too much money in stock.

Check whether you need GST/HST registration and how provincial sales tax applies where you sell. Also check customs duties on imported stock, French-language requirements for Quebec customers, home storage rules, shipping damage cover and commercial general liability insurance.

Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around $1,500 to $7,500, depending on your product range and customers. The estimate assumes at least about 10 hours a week for advice, orders and shipping.