Online Business Ideas You Can Start in the UK

630 ideas

These 630 ideas all run mainly online, so you can serve customers across the UK without a shop or office. Many are specialist stores, such as an online seed shop for gardeners, an online bed and mattress store or an online aromatherapy supply shop.

Swipe through these ideas →

Jars of dried herbs and teas on shelves in a traditional remedy shop.

Online East Asian herbs and teas store

Sell teas, herbs and wellness products from East Asian traditions through your own website, run from home.

  • £1.5k-7k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
2,916 UK companies in this field, 25% registered in the last 2 years
Shelves of power tools and construction equipment in a trade supply store.

Online power tool and trade supplies shop

Sell power tools, accessories and site kit to tradespeople online, without needing a shop.

  • £800-4k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
905 UK companies in this field, 27% registered in the last 2 years
Shelves of colourful fabric bolts in a shop for dressmakers.

Online fabric and haberdashery shop

Sell curated fabrics, trims and sewing supplies to UK makers through your own website or marketplaces.

  • £1k-5k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
4,072 UK companies in this field, 29% registered in the last 2 years
Rows of plain and printed paper bags stacked on supplier shelves.

Online paper bag reseller

Buy paper bags in bulk from manufacturers and sell plain and printed ranges to small shops and cafes.

  • £1k-5k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
182 UK companies in this field, 20% registered in the last 2 years
Instructor leading a group aerobics class in a bright gym studio.

Online aerobics classes

Teach live aerobics classes over video from home to members who join from their living rooms.

  • £300-1.2k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
16,288 UK companies in this field, 37% registered in the last 2 years
Shelves of motorcycle parts, helmets and gear in a shop.

Online motorcycle parts and kit shop

Sell parts, accessories and riding gear to riders online, from a spare room or garage.

  • £1k-8k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
3,631 UK companies in this field, 28% registered in the last 2 years
Wheelchairs and walking aids displayed for customers in a supplier showroom.

Online daily living aids shop

Sell grab rails, dressing aids, kitchen helpers and other small daily living products to disabled people and carers online.

  • £1.5k-7.5k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
2,916 UK companies in this field, 25% registered in the last 2 years
Trays of drawer handles, hinges and fittings in a supplier warehouse.

Online furniture fittings and handles shop

Sell handles, hinges, legs and fittings online to DIYers, kitchen fitters and small makers.

  • £500-5k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
3,382 UK companies in this field, 34% registered in the last 2 years
Shelves of Asian ingredients, noodles and drinks in a grocery shop.

Online Asian grocery store

Sell Asian ingredients and snacks online from home, with local delivery or courier postage.

  • £1.5k-8k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
34,633 UK companies in this field, 36% registered in the last 2 years
Stacked irrigation pipes, pumps and fittings in a farm supply warehouse.

Online irrigation kit shop

Sell drip lines, timers and watering kits online to gardeners, allotment holders and polytunnel growers.

  • £2k-10k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
1,792 UK companies in this field, 23% registered in the last 2 years
Perfume bottles lined up on a shop counter with a customer sampling scents.

Online perfume shop with sample sets

Sell fragrances and discovery sample sets online, with friendly scent advice to help people choose.

  • £1k-5k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
10,030 UK companies in this field, 47% registered in the last 2 years
Editors reviewing printed book pages around a publishing office table.

Online publisher for first-time authors

Help authors get polished books into print and ebook, sharing the work and the sales.

  • £1.5k-8k
  • Part-time
  • Online
11,341 UK companies in this field, 29% registered in the last 2 years
Bidders raising paddles in an auction house room during a sale.

Online auction house for a niche

Sell collectables, vintage or other specialist items for owners through online auctions, and keep a commission on each sale.

  • £1k-5k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
20,012 UK companies in this field, 40% registered in the last 2 years
Tourists sitting aboard a tour boat on calm water.

Boat trip booking agent

Sell other operators' boat trips to visitors through a simple local website, earning commission on each booking.

  • £400-2k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
414 UK companies in this field, 9% registered in the last 2 years
Tutor helping a student with homework at a table in a study centre.

Online tutoring and study support

Run live online lessons and study support for pupils from home, one-to-one or in small groups.

  • £100-800
  • Side hustle
  • Online
41,442 UK companies in this field, 34% registered in the last 2 years
Divers preparing gear on a boat for a guided diving trip.

Dive holiday group organiser

Organise group diving trips abroad for divers, working with trusted dive centres and hotels.

  • £3k-15k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
7,667 UK companies in this field, 33% registered in the last 2 years
Bundles of human hair extensions arranged on a display table.

Online hair extensions shop

Sell clip-in, weft and tape-in hair extensions to customers across the UK through your own website or marketplace shop.

  • £500-3k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
8,575 UK companies in this field, 46% registered in the last 2 years
Woven tatami mats covering the floor of a traditional Japanese-style room.

Online tatami and Japanese flooring shop

Sell tatami mats and matching flooring online to homeowners, yoga fans and Japanese-style interior projects.

  • £1.5k-7.5k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
5,253 UK companies in this field, 21% registered in the last 2 years
Rack of colourful greeting cards and wrapping paper in a card shop.

Online greeting card shop

Sell cards and wrapping through your own website or marketplace shop, packed and posted from home.

  • £300-3k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
2,265 UK companies in this field, 25% registered in the last 2 years
A tutor helping a pupil work through maths problems on a whiteboard at a desk.

Online maths tutor

Teach maths over video to pupils anywhere in the UK, with no travel and flexible evening hours.

  • £100-800
  • Side hustle
  • Online
41,442 UK companies in this field, 34% registered in the last 2 years
Display of miniature figures and a dolls' house in a hobby shop.

Online miniatures and dolls' house shop

Sell miniature figures, dolls' house furniture and scale accessories to hobbyists through your own website and marketplaces.

  • £500-4k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
4,843 UK companies in this field, 48% registered in the last 2 years
Shelves of welding torches, helmets, gloves and consumables in a supply store.

Online welding supplies shop

Sell welding consumables, accessories and safety gear online to hobbyists and small workshops.

  • £2k-10k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
3,482 UK companies in this field, 22% registered in the last 2 years
Used cars lined up at a port terminal ready for overseas shipping.

Used car exporter, part-time

Buy a few used cars at UK auctions and sell them to overseas buyers you find online.

  • £6k-30k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
35,866 UK companies in this field, 36% registered in the last 2 years
Tour guide leading a small group of travellers through a historic city street.

Specialist group trips sold online

Plan themed group trips such as walking or food breaks, and sell places through your own website.

  • £1k-8k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
7,667 UK companies in this field, 33% registered in the last 2 years

About these ideas

Others are services, like an online DNA test advice and booking service. They suit people who are comfortable with websites and email, and who want to start small and test demand before spending much. Before you choose, think about who your customers are and how they will find you. Check where your stock would come from, how delivery and returns would work, and what margin is left after postage, fees and advertising. Pick a niche you can explain in a sentence, then compare a few ideas on startup cost and the time you can give.

More ideas

Questions

How do I choose between so many online business ideas?

Start with what you know, how much you can spend and how many hours you have. Then check whether people already search for the product or service, and whether you can reach them at a sensible cost.

What should I check before selling products online in the UK?

Check whether your products have safety, labelling or trading rules, how consumer returns rules apply, and what data protection duties you would have. Also confirm your supplier terms, delivery costs and whether you need to register for tax.

Do I need a limited company to start an online business?

Not necessarily. Many people begin as a sole trader, but the right structure depends on your plans, risk and tax position. It is worth checking GOV.UK guidance and asking an accountant before you start trading.