Start a small e-commerce growth agency

Growing retailers and brands that sell online and want a team to handle the shop and its marketing.

Project fees for builds and monthly retainers for ongoing management, sometimes with a fee linked to ad spend managed.

• Running paid ads on Google and social platforms
• Shop platform set-up and troubleshooting
• Reading sales data and reporting clearly
• Managing clients and a small team

• Agree who pays for ad spend and who holds the ad accounts, and put it in writing
• Professional indemnity and public liability insurance are worth checking, plus employer's liability once you hire staff
• Check how to handle customer data under UK GDPR and whether you need to register with the ICO
• Clients may leave if results dip, so avoid relying on one big account
• If you use freelancers, check employment status rules with HMRC

Startup costs are typically around £1,500 to £7,500, depending on the tools, equipment and set-up you choose. Treat this as an estimate rather than a quote, and work out your own needs before you commit to any spending.

Monthly revenue is typically around £3,000 to £15,000, depending on how many clients you take on and what you charge. These are estimates, and revenue is not profit, so allow for your own costs.

Check who pays for ad spend and who holds the ad accounts, and put it in writing. Also check insurance (professional indemnity, public liability, and employer's liability if you hire), UK GDPR and ICO registration, and HMRC employment status rules for freelancers.