Online branded merchandise shop for a niche

Your chosen niche, for example sports clubs, community groups, charities, nurseries or small trades businesses buying in small to medium quantities.

You keep the difference between the price you charge and the supplier's cost. A focused range and repeat orders from the same groups help keep marketing costs down.

• Basic website building or using an online shop platform
• Online marketing and search visibility
• Customer service and artwork checking

• Distance selling rules give consumers cancellation rights, but custom-made goods can be treated differently, so check the rules for business and consumer sales
• Check data protection requirements, including registering with the ICO if needed, since you will hold customer details
• Supplier delays or errors reflect on your shop, so order samples and check quality first
• Check intellectual property: do not print logos, club badges or designs customers do not have the right to use
• Check whether you need to register for VAT as turnover grows

Startup costs are typically around £500 to £4,000, depending on your website platform, product samples and marketing. These are estimates, so order samples and check supplier quality before you launch.

Monthly revenue is typically around £300 to £4,000, depending on your niche, your range and how visible your shop is online. It is an estimate of revenue, not profit, and supplier delays can affect results.

Check distance selling rules and cancellation rights, as custom-made goods can be treated differently. Also check data protection requirements, including ICO registration if needed, intellectual property for logos and badges, and VAT registration as turnover grows.