Home-based online gift hamper business

Individuals buying gifts for friends and family, and small businesses sending thank-yous to staff or clients.

You sell each basket at a price above the cost of the products, packaging and postage. Extras like personalised cards and seasonal ranges raise the average order.

• Eye for design and presentation
• Finding good suppliers
• Organised with stock and orders
• Basic social media and photography

• If you include food or drink, check with your local council about registering a food business and about labelling and allergen rules
• Alcohol in baskets usually needs careful checking, as selling it may require a licence, so check with your council before including it
• Check whether your landlord, mortgage lender or council needs to agree to running a business from home
• Public liability and product liability insurance are worth checking, especially if you sell food or beauty products
• Shelf life and breakages in the post, so test packaging before launch
• Orders are very seasonal, so plan stock and cash flow around Christmas, Mother's Day and Valentine's Day

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around £300 to £2,000, depending on your stock, packaging, website and how many hamper themes you launch with. Your own costs will vary, so build a budget from supplier quotes.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around £300 to £2,500, depending on your prices, marketing and seasonal demand. That is revenue, not profit, so deduct stock, packaging, postage and fees. Orders are very seasonal.

Things to check: if you include food or drink, ask your local council about food business registration, labelling and allergen rules. Alcohol may need a licence. Also check whether your landlord, lender or council must agree to a home business.