Online bird food and supplies shop

Owners of budgies, cockatiels, parrots and finches, plus people who feed wild garden birds.

You earn the margin between wholesale and retail price on each order. Regular repeat orders for food and bundles or subscriptions help build steady sales.

• Knowledge of bird care and diets
• Organised stock and order handling
• Basic online selling and photography
• Clear customer service

• Consumer rights rules for online sales, including returns and clear product information; check GOV.UK guidance
• Public liability and product or stock insurance
• Register as a sole trader with HMRC, and check VAT once turnover grows
• Bulky, heavy seed bags can make postage costs high
• Check whether storing stock at home needs permission from your landlord or mortgage lender

Startup costs are typically around £1,000 to £5,000 as an estimate, depending on the range of stock you buy, your website set-up, packaging and insurance. This shop sells supplies only, not live birds.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around £300 to £3,000, depending on your range, pricing and how many orders you handle. Bulky, heavy seed bags can make postage costs high, which is worth planning for.

Check consumer rights rules for online sales, including returns and clear product information, using GOV.UK guidance. Check public liability and stock insurance, register as a sole trader with HMRC, and check VAT once turnover grows.