Online luggage and travel bag store

Online shoppers planning trips, students, gift buyers and people replacing worn-out bags who want to compare options from home.

You earn the margin between wholesale and retail price on each bag, plus extra from accessories and bundles, minus shipping, platform fees and returns.

• Online selling and basic product photography
• Writing clear product descriptions
• Customer service and handling returns

• Sales tax rules for online sales, which can vary by state, so check where you need to collect
• Bulky items cost more to ship and return, so work out margins carefully
• Brand and supplier agreements, and the risk of counterfeit goods
• Marketplace fees and rules, and the cost of paid advertising
• Home storage space and any HOA or lease limits on keeping stock or shipping from home

Startup costs are typically around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on how much stock you hold, your website or marketplace setup and how you advertise. Monthly revenue is typically estimated at about $1,000 to $5,000, depending on your niche and traffic.

Sales tax rules for online sales can vary by state, so check where you need to collect. Also check marketplace fees and rules and any supplier or brand agreements, and be careful to avoid counterfeit goods.

Useful skills include online selling, basic product photography, writing clear product descriptions and customer service, including handling returns. Plan on at least around 10 hours a week. Bulky items cost more to ship and return, so work out margins carefully.