Online toner and ink shop with reorder plans

Small businesses, home offices, community groups and schools that want an easy, repeat way to order the right cartridges.

Margin on each cartridge sold, plus steady repeat orders from customers on reorder plans. Bundling paper or other supplies can raise the average order.

• Basic website or online store setup
• Online marketing
• Order and stock tracking
• Customer service by email or chat

• Prices are very competitive online, so margins can be thin without a clear niche
• Check GST/HST registration and how to charge the right provincial tax on sales across provinces
• Product listings and returns may need to be available in French for sales in Quebec, so check the rules
• Check supplier terms on drop shipping, returns and compatible cartridge warranties
• Commercial general liability and product insurance
• Shipping costs and delays in remote areas and in winter

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $1,500 to $7,000, depending on your online store setup and whether you ship from home stock or have a supplier ship directly to customers.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $500 to $4,000, depending on how many customers you attract and how many sign up for repeat orders. The estimate assumes at least about 8 hours of work a week.

Things to check: GST/HST registration and the right provincial tax on sales across provinces, French-language listing and return requirements for Quebec sales, supplier terms on drop shipping, returns and compatible cartridge warranties, and commercial general liability and product insurance.