Start an online art dealer business

Private collectors, people furnishing a home, and small businesses looking for art for offices or waiting rooms.

A commission on consignment sales (often a share of the sale price agreed with the artist) or the margin between what you paid and what you sell for.

• A good eye for quality and value
• Researching artists and prices
• Photography and writing clear listings
• Building trust with buyers and artists

• Check provenance and authenticity of every piece, and keep records of where it came from
• Check your obligations on returns and descriptions under UK consumer law when selling online
• Check the rules on artist's resale right, which can apply when selling work by living artists or artists who died recently, on resales through dealers
• Check your anti-money-laundering obligations, which can apply to art dealers handling high-value transactions, and register with HMRC if needed
• Insurance for stock in storage and in transit, plus public liability if you meet clients in person
• Keep records for Self Assessment and check when VAT registration becomes necessary

Startup costs are typically around £300 to £3,000, depending on whether you sell on consignment or buy pieces outright to resell, and on what you spend on photography, a website and insurance. These are estimates, not guarantees.

Monthly revenue is typically around £200 to £3,000, depending on the pieces you sell, your pricing and how often you sell. This is an estimate of revenue rather than profit, and you would still need to cover stock and running costs.

Check the provenance and authenticity of every piece and keep records. Also check your obligations on returns and descriptions under UK consumer law, the artist's resale right, anti-money-laundering rules and HMRC registration, insurance, and when VAT registration becomes necessary.