Online lighting store

Homeowners and renters decorating or upgrading rooms, plus small businesses buying in bulk.

Markup on each product sold, with higher margins on curated niche items and bundles such as bulbs sold with a fixture.

• Online selling and basic website setup
• Product photography and descriptions
• Customer service and handling returns

• Register for your state's sales tax and check online sales tax rules for other states
• Fragile items can break in shipping, so check packaging and carrier insurance
• Check that products carry a recognized safety listing such as UL
• Returns and shipping costs on bulky items can eat margin
• General liability or product liability insurance
• Check home occupation rules if you store stock at home

Startup costs are typically around $1,500 to $10,000, depending on your website setup, stock or supplier arrangements and niche. These are estimates, and shipping and returns on bulky items can affect your margin.

Monthly revenue is typically around $1,000 to $8,000, depending on your niche, product range and marketing. The estimate assumes at least about 10 hours a week, and returns and shipping costs can eat into margin.

Check state sales tax registration and online sales tax rules for other states, packaging and carrier insurance for fragile items, recognized safety listings such as UL, general or product liability insurance, and home occupation rules if you store stock at home.