Online handbag boutique

Individual shoppers looking for a particular style or price point, including gift buyers.

You buy at wholesale and sell at retail, keeping the margin after shipping, payment fees and returns. Bundles and seasonal collections can raise the average order.

• Spotting styles that sell
• Product photos and listing descriptions
• Social media and customer service

• Check whether your state requires a sales tax permit and how online sales are taxed
• Fake or counterfeit designer goods are illegal to sell, so buy only from verified suppliers
• Returns, shipping costs and payment fees can eat into margins
• Check HOA or lease rules if you store stock at home

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $500 to $4,000, depending on whether you hold stock yourself or have a supplier ship orders, plus your website and photography. A smaller starting range can keep costs down.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $300 to $3,000, depending on your niche, pricing and marketing. The low end assumes roughly 8 hours a week. Returns, shipping and payment fees can reduce what you keep.

Check whether your state requires a sales tax permit and how online sales are taxed. Buy only from verified suppliers, since counterfeit designer goods are illegal to sell. If you store stock at home, check HOA or lease rules.