Start an online artificial plant and flower shop

Households, renters, people planning weddings and parties, and anyone who wants greenery without the upkeep.

You buy at trade prices and sell at a mark-up. Larger items and ready-made arrangements usually give better margins than single stems.

• Choosing products that look realistic
• Online selling and photography
• Packing and posting carefully
• Customer service

• Distance selling rules: check the requirements for clear descriptions, returns and refunds
• Product safety and labelling: check the rules for the items you sell, especially anything electrical such as lit trees
• Breakage and returns on bulky items, which can eat into margins
• Check whether you can store stock at home under your tenancy or mortgage terms
• Register as a sole trader with HMRC and check when VAT registration applies

Startup costs are typically around £500 to £4,000, depending on how much stock you hold, your website and photography. These are estimates. Bulky items can raise packing and returns costs.

Monthly revenue is typically around £300 to £3,000, depending on your range, marketing and whether you hold stock or use a supplier. These are estimates, and breakage and returns on bulky items can eat into margins.

Check distance selling rules on clear descriptions, returns and refunds, and product safety and labelling rules, especially for electrical items such as lit trees. Also register as a sole trader with HMRC and check when VAT registration applies.