Online computer accessories shop

Home users, students, remote workers and small offices who want a good-value replacement or upgrade without visiting a shop.

You buy from wholesalers or distributors and sell at a mark-up. Bundles such as a desk setup pack or a cable kit raise the average order value.

• Knowing which products suit which users
• Basic online selling and listing skills
• Customer service and handling returns
• Keeping track of stock and orders

• Online sales rules, including the right to cancel and return, so check the Consumer Contracts Regulations
• Electrical goods rules: check whether you need to register under the WEEE (waste electrical equipment) regulations and whether products carry the correct UK safety marking
• Counterfeit or unbranded chargers and cables, so buy only from reputable suppliers
• Marketplace fees and competition from big sellers can squeeze margins, so work out your costs before pricing
• Data protection duties for customer details, and whether you need to pay the ICO data protection fee
• Check product liability and public liability insurance cover for selling electrical goods

Startup costs are estimated at typically around £1,000 to £5,000, depending on how much stock you hold and whether you build your own website or use a marketplace. Work out marketplace fees before pricing.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around £800 to £4,000, depending on your product range, hours and sales channels. This is revenue, not profit, and marketplace fees and competition can squeeze margins.

Check the Consumer Contracts Regulations on cancelling and returns, whether you need WEEE registration, and that products carry the correct UK safety marking. Also check data protection duties, the ICO fee, and product liability insurance for electrical goods.