Ecommerce Side Hustles You Can Start for Less Than $1,000

Key Takeaways

• Ecommerce side hustles are accessible under $1,000, with lean startup options like stickers, digital downloads, thrift flipping, and curated gift boxes.
• Motivations to start include lifestyle freedom, scalability, and a global reach, making ecommerce a flexible path for creators and entrepreneurs.
• Each business idea comes with pros, cons, and cost breakdowns, so you can choose a model that fits your skills, budget, and interests.
• Personalization and niche targeting drive success in categories like custom apparel, pet products, greeting cards, and subscription boxes.
• Forming an LLC protects your personal assets, boosts credibility, and simplifies taxes as your side hustle grows into a legitimate business.
• Start small but smart—test ideas, manage costs carefully, and focus on solving real customer needs to build a profitable, sustainable online business.

Reasons People Start Ecommerce Businesses

If you're considering launching an ecommerce business with a limited budget, it helps to understand why so many people choose this path in the first place. Here are some of the most common motivations for starting an ecommerce business with $1,000 or less:

• Lifestyle Freedom: The ability to work remotely, be your own boss, and set flexible hours.
• Low Barrier to Entry: Easier setup compared to traditional brick-and-mortar retail stores.
• Scalability: Potential to expand reach quickly with digital marketing.
• Global Customer Base: Sell to anyone with internet access.

Of course, everyone and every business is unique. Understanding your motivations, budget, and target market can help you pick the best type of ecommerce business and create the best products for your skills and goals.

Ecommerce Business with Less Than $1,000 Startup Costs

Each of these ecommerce side hustle ideas can be launched with minimal upfront investment — many with as little as a few hundred dollars. We've selected ecommerce businesses where the product, marketing, and fulfillment can be done lean, especially for solopreneurs.

1. Curated Gift Boxes

With a curated gift box business, you bundle together themed items into a single package and sell them as thoughtful gifts for specific occasions, interests, or recipients. Think: self-care boxes, birthday kits, travel-themed packages, or boxes for new parents, pet lovers, or teachers.

Unlike dropshipping, you'll purchase and assemble the items yourself, giving you full control over the unboxing experience. Customers love these types of products for their convenience and aesthetic appeal, and they're highly shareable on social media, especially when you design unique packaging and thoughtful combinations.

You can sell curated boxes through your own ecommerce store or use marketplaces like Etsy or Amazon Handmade.

Curated Gift Boxes Pros

• Full control over product quality and branding
• High perceived value — customers often pay more for convenience and presentation
• Flexible product sourcing (wholesale, handmade, or even local finds)

Curated Gift Boxes Cons

• You'll need to pre-purchase some inventory
• Time required for assembly and fulfillment
• Inventory risk if products don't sell

Curated Gift Box Startup Cost Breakdown

You can start a curated gift box business on a limited budget by keeping your first box simple and sourcing inexpensive or sample-sized items. Here's a sample breakdown of how to stay under $1,000:

• Inventory for First 10–20 Boxes: $200–$400 (e.g., small-batch soaps, candles, teas, journals, or novelty items)
• Packaging Supplies: $50–$150 (boxes, filler, tape, stickers, and thank-you cards)
• Website & Hosting: $50–$100/year (Shopify Basic or WooCommerce)
• Logo & Visual Branding: $0–$100 (DIY in Canva or hire a freelancer)
• Product Photography: $0–$100 (DIY with good lighting, or hire a beginner photographer)
• Initial Marketing Spend: $200–$300 (Instagram/Facebook ads or influencer gifting)

Estimated Total: $500–$950 depending on your box size, sourcing, and marketing plans.

2. Niche Stickers or Decals

Stickers and decals are one of the most accessible ecommerce businesses to start. With low production costs, lightweight shipping, and endless design possibilities, a niche sticker shop can be a profitable online side hustle or full-fledged brand—especially if you cater to a specific audience.

Whether you’re targeting dog moms, teachers, plant lovers, gamers, or mental health advocates, niche sticker designs resonate strongly with buyers when they reflect identity, humor, or community.

You can print stickers at home using tools like a Cricut or Silhouette, or outsource printing through a print-on-demand service like Sticker Mule, Printify, or Gelato. Once you have a few designs ready, you can sell on platforms like Etsy, Shopify, or even through TikTok Shop.

Niche Stickers or Decals Pros

• Very low cost to design and produce
• Small, lightweight, and cheap to ship
• Strong appeal for repeat purchases and impulse buys
• Easy to test new designs and respond to trends quickly

Niche Stickers or Decals Cons

• High competition in some categories
• POD margins are lower than in-house printing
• Requires ongoing creative effort and marketing to stay fresh

Sticker Shop Startup Cost Breakdown

Your actual startup costs will vary depending on whether you print your own stickers or outsource fulfillment. Here’s a sample breakdown for both approaches:

Option 1: Print Stickers at Home (~$300–$700)

• Cricut or Silhouette cutting machine: $200–$300
• Printer & sticker paper: $50–$100
• Packaging supplies (mailers, backing cards, label printer): $50–$100
• Domain & Ecommerce Platform: $50–$100
• Logo/Branding (DIY or freelance): $0–$50
• Initial Marketing Spend (ads or social): $100–$200

Option 2: Print-on-Demand (~$100–$300)

• POD Account Setup (free on most platforms)
• Sample Orders for Quality Testing: $50–$100
• Branding & Packaging Add-Ons: $50–$100
• Domain & Ecommerce Platform: $50–$100
• Marketing Budget: $100–$200

Estimated Total: $300–$700 depending on setup and print method.

3. Custom T-Shirts or Apparel

Launching a custom clothing line is a creative and cost-effective way to start an ecommerce business with strong brand potential. You can keep things lean by starting with small production runs using a local screen printer, heat transfer vinyl, or even print-on-demand (POD) services.

Instead of aiming for mass appeal, the most successful small apparel brands dive into a niche: think witty shirts for teachers, minimalist gear for outdoor dads, or bold slogans for mental health advocates. What sets you apart isn’t just the design—it’s the connection you build with your target audience.

POD is a helpful tool to test ideas without upfront inventory, but many entrepreneurs eventually switch to in-house or local production for better margins, quality control, and customization.

Custom Apparel Pros

• Apparel has universal appeal and repeat-purchase potential
• Strong creative control over design and brand message
• Easy to launch small and expand with proven designs
• Multiple fulfillment options (DIY, local, POD)

Custom Apparel Cons

• Managing sizes, returns, and inventory adds complexity
• Fast-moving trends can make designs obsolete quickly
• Visual branding and packaging matter and take effort
• Lower margins if sticking with POD long-term

Custom Apparel Startup Cost Breakdown

Here’s a sample breakdown of what your launch might look like if you're producing a limited batch:

• Initial Inventory (25–50 shirts): $200–$400 (screen printed locally or via heat press)
• Packaging Supplies: $50–$100 (mailers, custom tags, inserts)
• Website & Domain: $50–$100 (Shopify, WooCommerce, or Etsy)
• Design & Branding Tools: $0–$100 (Canva, Adobe, or freelance help)
• Product Photography: $0–$100 (DIY or basic photoshoot)
• Marketing Budget (ads or influencer seeding): $200–$300

Estimated Total: $500-$1,000 depending on fulfillment method, design needs, and ad spend.

4. Digital Downloads & Templates

Selling digital products is one of the most accessible and profitable ecommerce side hustles you can start for less than $1,000, and in many cases, for nearly nothing. Rather than selling physical goods, you create downloadable items that customers can instantly access after purchase. These can range from planner pages, resume templates, and business spreadsheets to lesson plans, eBooks, digital art prints, social media content packs, and more.

Because there’s no inventory to manage or products to ship, digital downloads scale easily and require minimal effort once created. You can list your products on Etsy, Gumroad, Shopify, or your own website, and reinvest profits into expanding your catalog or running paid ads.

This business model is especially attractive for designers, writers, educators, and anyone with specialized knowledge or creative assets others would pay for.

Digital Downloads Pros

• Extremely low overhead and no inventory
• High profit margins — sell the same product repeatedly with no additional cost
• Easy to automate delivery and scale once listings are live
• No shipping, packaging, or physical fulfillment needed

Digital Downloads Cons

• You’ll need strong design, writing, or software skills
• Lots of competition, especially on marketplaces like Etsy
• Risk of product piracy or unauthorized sharing
• Success often depends on niche clarity and SEO visibility

Digital Downloads Startup Cost Breakdown

You can start a digital download business with as little as a laptop and design software. Here’s a sample breakdown of startup costs:

• Design Software: $0–$100 (Canva Pro, Adobe Creative Cloud, or Affinity Designer)
• Digital Asset Licenses: $0–$100 (fonts, stock photos, or illustrations)
• Website & Ecommerce Platform: $50–$100 (Shopify, Etsy, or Gumroad)
• Domain Name: $10–$20/year
• Branding Assets (Logo, Templates): $0–$100
• Marketing Budget (ads or influencer gifting): $100–$300

Estimated Total: $200–$700 depending on your tools and marketing approach.

5. Online Thrift Store or Flipping Business

An online thrift or flipping business is a great way to start selling online with minimal upfront investment. You source gently used or undervalued items from thrift stores, garage sales, estate sales, clearance racks, or Facebook Marketplace, then resell them at a profit through platforms like eBay, Poshmark, Mercari, Etsy, or your own Shopify site.

This model works best when you specialize in a particular category or aesthetic – vintage clothing, rare books, home décor, collectibles, sneakers, or refurbished electronics. By narrowing your focus, you build knowledge and increase your chances of spotting valuable deals others overlook.

Flipping stands out for its ability to generate profit almost immediately. You can often start by reselling items you already own to build your initial budget and momentum.

Online Thrift Store & Flipping Pros

• Low startup costs as inventory can come from thrift stores or even your own closet
• High profit margins on well-sourced items
• No need to create or manufacture anything
• Great for people who have a passion for bargain hunting or vintage finds

Online Thrift Store & Flipping Cons

• Time-intensive as sourcing, listing, and shipping take effort
• Inventory may be inconsistent and unscalable
• Condition and authenticity issues can lead to returns or disputes
• Requires photography, descriptions, and SEO for each individual item

Online Thrift Store & Flipping Startup Cost Breakdown

You can easily get started with a small batch of inventory and basic tools. Here's a typical breakdown for under $1,000:

• Initial Inventory: $100–$300 (10–30 items, depending on category)
• Shipping Supplies (mailers, boxes, scale, tape): $50–$100
• Domain & Store Platform (optional): $50–$100
• Photography Setup (lighting, backdrop): $50–$100 (or DIY with natural light)
• Listing Tools / Seller Fees: Varies by platform (e.g., eBay, Poshmark, Mercari fees)
• Marketing or Promotion Budget (optional): $100–$200

Estimated Total: $300–$800 depending on sourcing strategy and platform use.

6. Personalized Gifts & Engraved Products

Personalized products are a growing category in ecommerce and for good reason – people love gifting items that feel custom, thoughtful, and one-of-a-kind. Whether you’re engraving cutting boards, etching glassware, personalizing mugs, or printing names on ornaments, there’s a year-round market for high-quality, customized items.

This business works especially well around holidays, weddings, baby showers, graduations, and other major life events. You can sell your items through Etsy, Amazon Handmade, your own website, or even at craft fairs and pop-ups if you want to build a local presence.

Production can be done in-house using tools like a Cricut, laser engraver (such as Glowforge or xTool), or heat press. Or, you can work with a fulfillment partner to print and ship on your behalf. Many makers start with simple equipment and scale into more advanced tools as they grow.

Personalized Gifts Pros

• High perceived value since most customers are willing to pay more for personalization
• Repeat gift potential around birthdays, weddings, holidays, and milestones
• Creative and hands-on – great for makers who enjoy working with physical products
• Strong customer satisfaction when quality and presentation are prioritized

Personalized Gifts Cons

• Labor-intensive as each item often requires manual setup or design tweaks
• Longer lead times due to customization and production
• Quality control is crucial as errors in names, dates, etc. can mean lost sales
• Equipment can be expensive to upgrade as you grow

Personalized Gifts Startup Cost Breakdown

Startup costs depend heavily on your production method and tools. Here's a sample breakdown for getting started with basic in-house personalization:

• Cutting or Engraving Equipment: $200–$700 (Cricut, laser engraver, heat press)
• Initial Inventory (blanks like mugs, boards, ornaments): $100–$300
• Packaging Supplies: $50–$100 (protective mailers, gift wrap, thank-you cards)
• Website & Domain: $50–$100 (Shopify, Etsy, or WooCommerce)
• Design Software or Fonts: $0–$100 (Canva, Adobe, or font licenses)
• Marketing Budget: $100–$300

Estimated Total: $500–$1,000 depending on the tools you use and how much inventory you order up front.

7. Custom Party Supplies or Event Decor

From birthdays and bridal showers to graduations and baby announcements, people are always looking for unique, themed decorations to make their events memorable. With a custom party supply business, you might offer banners, table décor, cupcake toppers, favor tags, or editable digital invitations — all tailored to specific occasions or themes.

This business is especially rewarding for those with design skills, crafting ability, or event planning experience. You can sell physical products, digital downloads, or a combination, and focus on specific celebration types (like weddings or kids’ birthdays) or distinct aesthetics (like rustic or beachy).

Products can be handmade, machine-cut (Cricut/Silhouette), or designed as printable templates. Sell via Etsy, your own website, or local craft markets — and market through Instagram, Pinterest, or event planners.

Custom Party Supplies Pros

• Constant demand for birthdays, weddings, showers, and holidays
• Easy to niche by theme, customer group, or style
• High perceived value — customers pay more for coordinated, custom sets
• Visual products market well on Instagram and Pinterest
• Can diversify by offering both physical and digital goods

Custom Party Supplies Cons

• Trends can change fast; what’s hot today may fade next season
• Handmade products require significant time and attention to detail
• Shipping delicate/large items poses challenges
• Personalization errors or delays are stressful for event deadlines
• Busy seasonal rushes (graduations, holidays) require planning

Custom Party Supplies Startup Cost Breakdown

Start-up costs depend on your product mix (digital, physical, or both). Here’s a sample breakdown for a hybrid approach:

• Cutting Machine (Cricut/Silhouette): $200–$400
• Craft Supplies (cardstock, vinyl, ribbon, adhesives): $100–$200
• Packaging (rigid mailers, boxes, tissue, thank-you inserts): $50–$100
• Design Software/Digital Assets: $0–$100 (Canva Pro, Illustrator, or stock graphics)
• Ecommerce Platform & Domain: $50–$100 (Etsy, Shopify, WooCommerce)
• Photography Setup/Sample Styling: $0–$100 (DIY or basic lightbox)
• Marketing Budget: $100–$200 (Pinterest ads, influencer or local planner outreach)

Estimated Total: $500–$1,000 depending on your focus and tools.

8. Themed Subscription Boxes

A themed subscription box offers subscribers new discoveries around a shared interest every month or quarter. You can create boxes for plant lovers, new parents, self-care fans, regional snacks, pet toys, or hobbies.

This model combines personalization and recurring revenue. Customers love the surprise factor and you benefit from ongoing revenue and deeper customer relationships.

Start with a single box or limited batch to gauge demand before scaling. Curate your box from wholesale goods, handmade products, or private-label items.

Subscription Boxes Pros

• Predictable recurring revenue
• High customer loyalty and LTV
• Low barrier to entry — test one box before committing to full subscription
• Strong brand & influencer marketing opportunities
• Easy to niche by interest or identity

Subscription Boxes Cons

• Requires upfront inventory and careful management
• Shipping errors/delays can hurt trust
• Customer churn can impact cashflow
• Operational complexity increases as you grow
• Subscription fatigue — you have to keep the value high

Subscription Box Startup Cost Breakdown

You can launch small, focusing on limited boxes and targeted marketing. Example costs:

• Inventory for First 10–20 Boxes: $200–$400 (wholesale or handmade items)
• Branded Packaging (boxes, tape, inserts): $100–$200
• Website & Domain: $50–$100 (Shopify, Cratejoy, or Subbly)
• Photography or Styled Shoots: $0–$100 (DIY or phone camera)
• Design Tools/Templates: $0–$100 (Canva, Illustrator, custom)
• Marketing Budget: $100–$200 (influencer boxes, referral rewards, Instagram/Pinterest ads)

Estimated Total: $500–$1,000, based on box contents, packaging, and strategy.

9. Niche & Custom Greeting Cards or Stationery

Launching a greeting card or stationery line for a specific audience is a low-cost, high-impact way to start selling online. Instead of competing with generic store cards, you can design for unique moments like sober anniversaries, first-generation grads, new dads, or therapist appreciation days. Custom cards for personal details (names, professions, inside jokes) let shoppers create keepsakes for their loved ones.

This business works because people crave more thoughtful, on-point cards — and often feel traditional card brands overlook their stories. Whether you lean into a niche, offer personalization, or both, you’ll reach customers who want something special.

Greeting Card Pros

• Very low production and startup costs
• Personalization allows for premium pricing
• Easy to target by event, audience, or milestone
• Lightweight, low shipping costs
• Highly giftable and shareable
• Easy to launch adjacent products — notepads, journals, stickers

Greeting Card Cons

• Highly competitive category — branding & messaging matter
• Customization increases fulfillment time and potential errors
• Must hit higher order volume for meaningful revenue unless you upsell
• Steady creative output needed to stay “fresh” or seasonal

Greeting Card Startup Cost Breakdown

Launch with a small collection and simple fulfillment. Example costs:

• Design Software: $0–$100 (Canva, Inkscape, Illustrator)
• Initial Printing (100–200 cards): $100–$300 (local print shop or Vistaprint)
• Packaging (envelopes, sleeves, mailers): $50–$100
• Website & Domain: $50–$100 (Etsy, Shopify, WooCommerce)
• Photography/Mockups: $0–$100 (DIY or purchased mockups)
• Marketing Budget: $100–$200 (Instagram, Etsy or Pinterest ads)

Estimated Total: $300–$900 depending on print volume and ad spend.

10. Custom Pet Accessories

Pet owners love spoiling their animals, especially with personalized or stylish gear. In this business, you could make custom bandanas, collars, jars, feeding mats, pet name signs, or even birthday boxes for specific breeds or personalities.

You can niche down by pet type, breed, or style (outdoorsy, minimalist, “pampered”), and personalize with pet names, birth years, phrases, or even matching human/pet sets. Production can be done with vinyl, embroidery, laser engraving, or via print-on-demand partners.

Pet Accessories Pros

• Pet owners are highly engaged and love to gift
• Personalization drives repeat purchases and higher value
• Great for visual marketing on Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest
• High gifting potential for holidays and birthdays

Pet Accessories Cons

• Sizing/materials must be accurate — misfits risk returns
• Managing inventory can be tricky with lots of options
• Customization adds time and complexity to fulfillment
• Durability and pet safety are essential

Pet Accessories Startup Cost Breakdown

Start your pet accessories line with minimal materials and tools, and expand as you grow. Example costs:

• Craft Equipment (Cricut, embroidery machine, or heat press): $200–$500
• Initial Materials (bandanas, vinyl, jars, tags): $100–$200
• Packaging (mailers, branded inserts, tissue, stickers): $50–$100
• Website & Domain: $50–$100 (Shopify, WooCommerce, or Etsy & domain)
• Product Photography or Pet Models: $0–$100 (DIY or friends’ pets)
• Marketing Budget: $100–$200 (TikTok, Instagram, or pet influencer gifting)

Estimated Total: $500–$1,000, depending on approach and launch size.

Quick Comparisons: Ecommerce Side Hustle Ideas Under $1,000

Do You Need an LLC to Start an Ecommerce Side Hustle?

While it's possible to start selling online without forming a business entity, forming an LLC offers important advantages as you grow. An LLC provides liability protection, makes your business look more legitimate, and makes it easier to handle taxes and open a business bank account.

Most ecommerce founders wait too long to formalize their business. But the truth is, setting up an LLC early can save time, stress, and money down the line. Whether you're selling custom stickers, pet accessories, or personalized baby gifts, having an LLC for your side hustle builds credibility with customers, partners, and marketplaces, giving you peace of mind as you grow.

How to Form an LLC for Ecommerce Businesses

1. Choose a Business Name: Pick a name that reflects your brand identity and confirm it's available in your state (use our Business Name Generator for inspiration)
2. File Articles of Organization: Submit these documents through your state's Secretary of State or equivalent agency to officially form your LLC
3. Obtain an EIN (Employer Identification Number): You can register for an EIN through the IRS at no cost to handle taxes and open business accounts.
4. Designate a Registered Agent: Name a person or service responsible for receiving important legal notices on behalf of your business.
5. Open a Business Bank Account: Keep your personal and business finances separate for easier bookkeeping and to maintain liability protection.

Forming an LLC for ecommerce side hustles can be straightforward and cost-effective, even for beginners. If you find the idea of filling out business formation forms daunting, consider working with a trusted expert like LLC Attorney to handle the critical steps of establishing your business.

Start Small, But Smart

You don't need a massive budget to launch a successful online side hustle. With under $1,000 and the right idea, you can create products that are thoughtful, creative, and profitable — and build something that grows with you.

Start with what you know. Choose a niche you care about. Focus on making something people genuinely want. And when you're ready to make it official, we're here to help you form your LLC and take the next step with confidence.

3 Reasons to Choose LLC Attorney for Your Ecommerce LLC

Fast

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We keep our pricing low and transparent. You don’t have to worry about surprise costs.

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