Start an online sheepskin and wool goods shop

Online shoppers looking for rugs, throws and gifts, plus small online retailers and designers who buy in bulk.

You earn the margin between your buying price and selling price. Trade orders bring larger, less frequent sales alongside everyday online orders.

• Product photography and descriptions
• Running an online shop
• Customer service
• Basic social media and search marketing

• Distance selling rules give online customers cancellation and returns rights, so check the current requirements
• Check labelling and safety rules for textiles and furnishings, especially for baby and children's products
• Be careful with claims about origin, such as British or ethically sourced, and keep evidence from suppliers
• Large rugs are costly to post and return, so work out delivery costs before setting prices
• Marketplace fees can reduce margins, so price with them in mind
• Register as a sole trader or limited company, and check when VAT registration becomes compulsory

Startup costs are typically around £800 to £5,000, depending on how much stock you hold, whether some items ship direct from the maker, and how you build your shop. Marketplace fees can reduce margins, so price with them in mind.

Check distance selling rules on cancellation and returns, and labelling and safety rules for textiles and furnishings, especially baby and children's products. Be careful with origin claims such as British or ethically sourced, and keep evidence from suppliers.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £300 to £3,000, depending on your products, traffic and trade orders. Large rugs are costly to post and return, so work out delivery costs before setting prices.