Online gift shop from home

Shoppers buying presents for birthdays, weddings, new babies, Christmas and other occasions, plus people sending gifts to friends and family elsewhere.

You buy stock at wholesale prices and sell at a mark-up. Extra income can come from gift wrapping, personal messages and bundled gift sets.

• Choosing products people want to give
• Basic online selling and photography
• Packing and organising orders
• Simple stock and money tracking

• Consumer rules for online sales, including the right to cancel and clear delivery information, so check GOV.UK guidance
• Product safety rules, especially for toys, candles and anything for babies, so check suppliers can show compliance
• Postage costs and breakages eating into margins
• Seasonal sales: much of the trade can fall around Christmas, Mother's Day and Valentine's Day
• Check whether your landlord or mortgage lender allows storing stock at home

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around £500 to £4,000, depending on how much stock you buy and how you set up your shop. Postage costs and breakages can eat into margins, so budget for them.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around £300 to £3,000, depending on your niche, range and marketing. Much of the trade can fall around Christmas, Mother's Day and Valentine's Day, so plan for seasonal peaks.

Check consumer rules for online sales, including the right to cancel and clear delivery information, on GOV.UK. Also check product safety rules, especially for toys, candles and baby items, and whether your landlord or mortgage lender allows storing stock at home.