Hoping to set up an online business...a bit stuck

[freshstart67]

I’m hoping to start an online business from home, so I can fit around my children and looking after my elderly parents.

So far I’ve been thinking about;
baby/children’s clothes, toys and gifts
Vintage (tea sets, vases etc...
Cards & gifts

I’m just not sure how to get started, is it best to use something like Esty or Facebook?
I’m aware I need a business licence, as as I’m temporarily living with my folks there is no rent/mortgage.

I’m new on here but have read through a lot of postings. Would be interested to know did you find it easy to set up your online business?

@ChairOnToast, I worked in retail about 20 years ago mainly for a children’s toy and clothes shop.
I probably wouldn’t be making the clothes (I wish I was good enough, but not just yet)

In terms of vintage, I do like tea sets and jewellery. But I’m aware there’s already a lot of these businesses out there.

With cards and gifts I was going to keep to mainly children’s christening/new baby/birthday cards etc.. and small unusual gifts that you wouldn’t get on the high street. But again I wouldn’t be making.

@ChairOnToast sorry I pressed post when I hadn’t finished..,

I do sew and in the past made myself canvas shopping bags. That was another idea I did think about, and that would probably suit Esty market.

Maybe that’s something I should explore further.

There's lots of ways to sell things. You can advertise on a facebook page, sell through instagram and Etsy. Also, you could look at craft fairs or Makers Markets in your area.

So far I’ve been thinking about;
baby/children’s clothes, toys and gifts
Vintage (tea sets, vases etc...
Cards & gifts

The kids clothing/toys market is absolutely saturated. Your competition would be the million other SAHMs doing it for exactly the same reasons as you AND the big companies who can mass produce and sell it far cheaper than you ever could. Strike it off your list.

Tbh- I say the same about vintage tea sets and cards too. Unless you have something very very unique that no one else is doing? I doubt that as if you did you wouldn't need advice on what to sell.

You need something else OP. Something niche. Something not every other SAHM is doing.

Yes you’re absolutely right, I think I need to think this plan through.

Why do you need a business license?

You dont need a business lisence to set up as self employed in the UK. You do in the USA.

Have you considered something like Amazon FBA? The actual product is a lot less important, it's just about finding something that others want. You could also take this further and set up your own Shopify storefront in time if you were happy to do your own marketing.

Alternatively if you have any kind of digital skill could you freelance on fiverr?

My suggestion would be to hit youtube, there are a lot of great guides on how to start FBA, KDP, POD type online businesses, see where your skillset is best placed.