Online children's bookshop with school book fairs

Parents and gift buyers online, and schools and nurseries buying for classrooms or running book fairs.

You earn the margin between trade price and selling price. Schools may also earn rewards from fairs, and you can add gift bundles, subscriptions and reading-list packs.

• Knowing children's books and age ranges
• Setting up and running a simple online shop
• Packing and posting orders
• Building relationships with teachers and parents

• Thin margins once postage and packaging are included, so check your prices carefully
• Public liability insurance for fairs and school visits, and cover for stock stored at home
• Schools usually expect an enhanced DBS check for visitors, so check each school's requirements
• Online selling rules on distance selling and returns, which you should check with Trading Standards guidance
• Home use may need permission from your landlord or mortgage lender, especially if you store a lot of stock

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around £1,000 to £5,000, depending on your stock, online shop set-up and fair equipment. Monthly revenue is estimated at around £300 to £3,000, and postage and packaging can squeeze margins.

Schools usually expect an enhanced DBS check for visitors, so check each school's requirements. Also check online selling rules on distance selling and returns with Trading Standards guidance, public liability insurance, and whether your landlord or mortgage lender allows home use.

The estimates assume at least around 8 hours a week, covering running your online shop, packing and posting orders and visiting fairs. Useful skills include knowing children's books and age ranges, and building relationships with teachers and parents.