Online door and fittings shop

Homeowners renovating or replacing doors, small builders and landlords who prefer to order online.

You sell at a margin above your supplier's price. Fittings and accessories add to each order, and clear advice helps you win customers who are unsure what to buy.

• Building or managing a simple online shop
• Product knowledge on sizes, finishes and fittings
• Customer service by phone, email or chat
• Basic photography and writing for product pages

• Check the consumer rules on returns and cancellations, including how they apply to made-to-measure doors
• Fire doors need the right certification and correct fitting, so check the Building Regulations before selling or advising
• Wrong sizes are the biggest cause of returns, so give clear measuring guidance
• Damage in transit and slow supplier delivery can hurt your reputation, so agree who handles claims
• Check whether you can run a business from home with your landlord or mortgage lender, and whether you need business insurance

Startup costs are typically estimated at around £1,500 to £8,000, depending on your website, product range and any small stock you hold. Many sellers hold little or no stock, with suppliers sending orders direct to customers.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £1,000 to £6,000, depending on your range, marketing and how well you guide customers on sizes. Plan on at least roughly 10 hours a week to run it.

Check the consumer rules on returns and cancellations, including how they apply to made-to-measure doors. Fire doors need the right certification, so check the Building Regulations before selling or advising. Also check whether you can run a business from home with your landlord or lender.