Online drum shop

Hobby drummers, students, teachers, gigging musicians and parents buying for young players.

You buy at trade price and sell at a margin. Extra income comes from bundles, such as a beginner pack, and from delivery charges.

• Good knowledge of drums and brands
• Basic online shop setup
• Packing and posting orders
• Customer service

• Distributors may require proof of a trading business or minimum order values, check before you commit
• Online sales fall under consumer distance selling rules, including returns, so check what you must offer
• Cymbals and hardware are heavy and easily damaged, so check courier costs and insurance
• Margins are tight against large online retailers, so look for a niche such as a style, brand or beginner packs
• Register as a sole trader with HMRC and check whether you need product liability or stock insurance

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around £1,500 to £8,000, depending on how much stock you hold, your web shop set-up and whether you use supplier dropshipping.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around £500 to £5,000, depending on your range, pricing and how many drummers you reach. Margins can be tight against large online retailers, so a niche may help.

Check whether distributors need proof of a trading business or minimum orders, and what consumer distance selling rules require on returns. Also check courier costs and insurance for heavy cymbals, registering as a sole trader with HMRC, and product liability or stock insurance.