Online desk and workstation store

Remote workers, gamers, students and small businesses setting up home or small office workspaces.

You earn the margin between wholesale (or supplier) price and your retail price, plus add-ons like monitor arms, cable trays and desk mats.

• Online selling and basic marketing
• Product photos and clear descriptions
• Customer service for delivery and returns

• Sales tax registration and collection rules for your state and the states you ship to, check with your state revenue department
• Heavy, bulky shipping: damage, freight costs and returns can wipe out margin
• Supplier reliability and stock-outs, especially with drop shipping
• Check that composite wood products meet federal formaldehyde emission rules and any state labeling rules
• General liability and product liability insurance

Startup costs are typically around $1,500 to $7,500, depending on whether you drop ship or hold some stock yourself, and how much you spend on your website and marketing.

Monthly revenue is typically around $1,500 to $7,500, depending on your product range, marketing and order volume. Heavy, bulky shipping, damage and returns can cut into margins, so price carefully.

Check sales tax registration and collection rules for your state and the states you ship to, with your state revenue department. Also check that composite wood products meet federal formaldehyde emission rules and any state labeling rules, and consider product liability insurance.