Online bed and mattress store

Online shoppers looking for a better price or wider choice than their local shops, often after a specific size, style or budget.

You keep the difference between the supplier's trade price and your selling price. Delivery charges, bundle deals (bed plus mattress) and bedding add-ons can raise the value of each order.

• Building or managing an online shop
• Writing clear product descriptions
• Customer service by email, phone and chat
• Organising orders and supplier communication

• Mattresses and bed bases are covered by UK furniture fire safety rules, so check with Trading Standards and your suppliers
• Online sales have rules on cancellation rights and clear pricing, so check the Consumer Contracts Regulations and returns rules for mattresses
• Delivery delays and damage are the main source of complaints, so agree service levels with suppliers
• Competition from big online retailers, so choose a niche such as small doubles, kids' beds or ottoman beds
• Product liability and public liability insurance

Startup costs are typically around £1,500 to £7,500, depending on your website, product listings, marketing and whether you use any storage space. Supplier delivery may keep costs towards the lower end.

Monthly revenue is typically around £1,500 to £10,000, depending on your niche, pricing and marketing. This is an estimate of revenue, not profit. Choosing a niche such as small doubles, kids' beds or ottoman beds may help.

Mattresses and bed bases are covered by UK furniture fire safety rules, so check with Trading Standards and your suppliers. Also check the Consumer Contracts Regulations, returns rules for mattresses, delivery service levels and product and public liability insurance.