Online door and ironmongery shop

Homeowners doing renovations, small builders, joiners and landlords who want to order without visiting a showroom.

You earn the margin between the trade price you pay your supplier and the price you charge, plus extra on hardware and fitting accessories bought with the door.

• Knowing door sizes, types and fire ratings
• Basic website and product listing skills
• Customer service and handling returns

• Doors are bulky and easily damaged, so check who is responsible for breakages in transit
• Distance selling rules on returns and refunds, check the current consumer rights guidance
• Fire doors may need certification and correct fitting, check what you can legally and safely claim in your listings
• Public liability and product liability insurance
• Check VAT registration once your turnover grows

Startup costs are typically estimated at around £500 to £3,000, depending on your website, your product listings and how much stock you hold. Many sellers keep costs down by having suppliers send orders straight to customers.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £500 to £4,000, depending on your range, your pricing and how many orders you win. These are estimates, not promises, and revenue is not the same as profit.

Check who is responsible for breakages in transit, the current consumer rights guidance on returns and refunds, and what you can legally and safely claim about fire doors. Also check public liability and product liability insurance, and VAT registration as turnover grows.