Online second-hand shop

Bargain hunters, collectors and people wanting sustainable, one-off finds, buying through online marketplaces or your own site.

You sell items for more than you paid, after fees and postage. Profit per item varies a lot, so a steady supply of well-priced stock matters.

• Spotting items that will resell well
• Clear photos and honest descriptions
• Organised stock and parcel handling

• Register with HMRC as a sole trader if you are trading regularly, check how trading income is treated
• Check marketplace rules and fees before you rely on one platform
• Rules on selling certain goods, such as electricals, children's items, and branded or fake goods, so check what applies to your stock
• Check your landlord's or mortgage lender's permission if storing stock at home

Startup costs are typically around £100 to £1,000, depending on how much stock you buy, your packaging and any website or marketplace set-up. Treat this as an estimate and start with a small amount of stock.

Monthly revenue is typically around £200 to £2,000, depending on what you sell, your pricing and how often you list. These are estimates rather than guarantees, and you can start at around 8 hours a week.

Check with HMRC about registering as a sole trader if you trade regularly, and how trading income is treated. Also check marketplace rules and fees, rules on electricals, children's items and branded or fake goods, and permission for storing stock at home.