Online hydroponics supply store

Home gardeners, hobby growers, apartment dwellers and schools or community groups wanting to grow indoors.

Markup on each product, plus bundled starter kits and repeat orders of nutrients, pH products and replacement parts.

• Basic knowledge of how hydroponic systems work
• Writing clear product guides
• Customer service by email or chat

• Sales tax registration and collection rules for online sales in your state and others
• Some states regulate the sale of fertilizers and soil amendments, check with your state department of agriculture
• Product liability and general liability insurance for electrical items like lights and pumps
• Rules on selling to growers of regulated crops vary by state, check local law and marketplace policies
• Shipping costs and damage on heavy or fragile items like tanks and lamps

Startup costs are estimated at typically around $1,500 to $8,000, depending on your product range, how much stock you hold versus shipping direct from suppliers, and how you set up your website.

Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around $1,000 to $8,000, depending on your niche, product mix, marketing and how many orders you handle. Plan on at least about 10 hours a week to run the store.

Check sales tax registration and collection rules in your state and others, and whether your state department of agriculture regulates fertilizers. Also check insurance for electrical items, and local law and marketplace policies on selling to growers of regulated crops.