Online herb and tea shop

Home cooks, tea drinkers and people interested in natural and traditional products who prefer buying online.

Profit on each order: you buy herbs in bulk, pack them in smaller bags or tins and sell at a markup, often with subscriptions or sample sets to bring customers back.

• Knowing herbs and teas
• Basic website and photo skills
• Careful packing and order handling

• Food labeling rules apply to herbs and teas sold for eating or drinking; check FDA labeling requirements and your state's rules
• Do not make health or cure claims about herbs; the FDA and FTC restrict claims on supplements and remedies
• Packing food at home may fall under your state's cottage food rules or need a licensed kitchen or facility, so check with your state or county health department
• Register for a seller's permit and sales tax with your state if required, and check where you must collect tax on out-of-state sales
• General liability and product liability insurance

Our estimates put startup costs at typically around $800 to $4,000, depending on your opening stock, website setup, packaging and whether you pack from home or rent a small space. Price your own supplies before committing.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $300 to $3,000, depending on your range, pricing, marketing and the hours you put in. This is revenue before costs such as stock, shipping and fees. The estimate assumes at least about 8 hours a week.

Check FDA labeling requirements and your state's rules for herbs and teas sold for eating or drinking. Avoid health or cure claims, which the FDA and FTC restrict. Ask your state or county health department about packing at home, and check seller's permit and sales tax needs.