Online craft soda and mixer seller

Online shoppers wanting variety or gifts, plus cafés, bars and small venues that order regularly.

Mark-up on drinks sold by the case, plus delivery charges, subscription boxes and repeat trade orders from local businesses.

• Setting up a simple online shop
• Building supplier and customer relationships
• Organised packing and dispatch
• Basic bookkeeping

• Glass bottles are heavy and can break, so check courier costs and packaging before setting prices
• Register as a food business with your local council, and check whether storing stock at home is allowed by your landlord or lender
• Check product labelling and consumer rules for distance selling, including refunds
• Do not mix in alcoholic products without checking licensing, as selling alcohol needs a licence
• Check your insurance covers stock stored at home and any local deliveries

Startup costs are typically around £1,500 to £7,000, depending on how much stock you buy, your storage set-up and your packaging. These are estimates, so check courier costs for heavy glass bottles before you set your prices.

Monthly revenue is typically around £500 to £4,000, depending on how many online customers and regular café or bar accounts you win. This is an estimate of revenue, not profit, so allow for stock, packaging and delivery costs.

Check that you register as a food business with your local council, and whether your landlord or lender allows stock stored at home. Also check labelling, distance selling and refund rules, your insurance cover, and licensing if you ever add alcohol.