If you’d like to start an online boutique from home but you’re short on funds, keep reading. I have six easy ways for you to start an online fashion boutique for free!
Do you daydream of owning your own fashion boutique with piles of designer denim, trendy tops, and stylish jewelry and accessories? But where do you begin? Where can you find suppliers and inventory? What business licenses and permits do you need? What are the startup costs involved!?
For the majority of the population, starting a brick-and-mortar store is simply out of the question due to the costs involved. But even starting an online business is cost-prohibitive for many, with web hosting, inventory, legal fees, and advertising costs. But guess what? Technology has made it possible for you to open your own online store in a few simple steps. And better yet — you don’t need any experience or money to start!
Here are six easy ways to start an online fashion boutique for free!
1. Avon
If you’ve beauty and skincare products, becoming a beauty influencer with Avon might be a good option for you. With Avon, there are zero startup fees, and you’ll earn a 30% commission once you reach $100 in sales. You’ll also receive $1,500 in free products once you reach $500 in sales. Avon provides free training and digital tools to representatives, and with well-known brand recognition, the products should be easy to sell.
2. Poshmark
Poshmark is a free online platform and smartphone app where you can sell clothing, shoes, jewelry, accessories, handbags, and more. To make money with Poshmark, you can start by cleaning out your closet of things you no longer wear. Just take some high-quality photos, write an SEO-friendly description, and price your items. Once your item sells, print out a free shipping label and send your item off to its recipient. When the sale is complete, Poshmark will take a 20% fee and you’ll get to keep 80%. To keep this business going, you can use your profits to buy thrift store apparel and flip them for a profit, also called retail arbitrage or reselling. For more tips on starting a resale business, check out this helpful post.
3. Spreadshirt
Spreadshirt is a free print-on-demand opportunity. With this business idea, you’ll create a free account with Spreadshirt and design your products (t-shirts, hoodies, mugs, accessories like tote bags, caps, aprons, and more. Spreadshirt gives you the option to have your own storefront or you can create a store within their marketplace. They also have an option where you can integrate third-party platforms like Etsy, Shopify, Amazon, and more. For each item you sell, you’ll earn a commission, and Spreadshirt will ship the items directly to your customer.
4. SQN Sport
If you’re into fitness, this next opportunity might be right for you! SQN Sport has an ambassador program where you can earn a 20-25% commission on sales and a referral commission. You don’t receive a website with this opportunity; just promote your link on your social media channels, blog, and at pop-up parties. While this program is free to join, they do have a sample box that you can purchase at 50% off. According to their website, you’ll also get a monthly newsletter with special promos, content, and coupon codes that you can use to market the clothing.
5. Stella & Dot
Stella & Dot started as a direct sales company and has switched over to a free online ambassador opportunity. With this business opportunity, you’ll be able to sell jewelry, handbags, makeup, and skincare products online. Just sign up for their program, and share your referral link online. Ambassadors can earn 10-30% commission on sales; the more you sell, the higher your commission rate. Ambassadors will receive early access to new products and can earn prizes and getaways for meeting certain sales milestones. Cash payments are distributed weekly, or you can take your earnings and double the commission value by choosing store credit.
6. Teespring
Teespring is another free print-on-demand platform, that allows creatives to design their own t-shirts, tanks, hoodies, sweatshirts, totes, throw pillows, and coffee mugs. To start earning money with Teespring, create an account and then start designing items for sale.
I have zero design skills, but I designed this t-shirt which costs $26.99, and for every t-shirt that is sold, I would earn $8.60 profit.
Payments are made via PayPal or Payoneer. With Teespring, they give you a free storefront that you can promote on your social media profiles and email.
How to Market Your Online Fashion Boutique
The saying, build it, and they’ll come, couldn’t be further from the truth. To get eyeballs on your business, you’ll need to promote it. Luckily, there are many free and affordable marketing methods that can help you get the word out.
Social Media Marketing
One of the best free ways to promote your online boutique is by using social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube, and TikTok. If you’re in the beauty niche, consider filming makeup tutorials using the products you’re selling. Or you can film get-ready with me (GRWM) clips wearing the products you’re selling. Of course, you want to add your referral link to your bio section or in your post’s description. One thing to note is TikTok strictly forbids the promotion of direct sales opportunities, so make sure to read each platform’s terms of use agreement before posting content.
Focus on SEO
SEO stands for search engine optimization, and it’s where you optimize your descriptions to contain the keywords people are searching for. For instance, if a person is looking for long-sleeved shirts on Poshmark and your listing does not contain the word long sleeves, it won’t pop up in the search results. You want to be as descriptive as possible so that your items can be easily found.
Email Marketing
If you’re serious about growing your business, you need to be capturing your customers’ email addresses. The way you do this is by signing up with an email marketing service. Don’t worry: there are free options like Constant Contact and ConvertKit. Once you’re signed up with a service, you can add your email marketing form or sign-up link to your shop, social media profiles, and email signature. Then, when a new collection is released, or there is a sale, you can email all of your customers about the offers.
Paid Ads
If you have some money in your marketing budget, paid advertising can be an excellent way to get more people to your shop. With Google ads, Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, and Facebook ads, there is no shortage of places to advertise. To make sure you have a good ROI from your advertising dollars, you’ll need to write persuasive copy, have compelling images, and know how to properly run ads and measure conversions. There is a lot that goes into running a successful advertising campaign, so be sure to read up and perhaps take a course on running ads.
Conclusion
As you can see, you don’t always need a big budget to be an online boutique owner. If one of these free business ideas speaks to you, start building up your leads and contacts through social media, and in no time, you’ll be earning an income from home in an industry that you’re passionate about.
If you’re successful with these free business models, you may decide to launch your own online clothing store from scratch. In this post, Anne Marie Blackman shares her success story of starting an eBay store and then opening an online clothing boutique using the eCommerce platform Shopify. She shares a lot of great tips, so be sure to check it out.
Have you signed up for any of these free business opportunities? If so, we’d love to hear about your experience.
Would you like to be a small business owner, but you’re not sure where to start? Grab our FREE Simplified Business Plan Template, which will walk you through the questions and steps you need to take to get your business off the ground!
Originally published on March 12, 2015. Content updated on October 2022.
Honestly I fell in love with this guide but I an a Nigerian. Is it possible to engage in such business when I’m not in America and also only have a smartphone.
Please advice me
Glad you enjoyed the list!
Teespring is the only one that is available internationally. I’ve never tried designing products on my smartphone — it may be tricky — you’ll have to test it out.
With so much opportunity online to make money, no one has a reason not to be a side hustle millionaire. :-)
Hey,
I want to do some online business. But I have no idea. Can I market a dress design and not designed dress?
Holly, plz help me!!!
Yes, you can create and sell pattern designs on a site like Etsy.
link???
Here you go:
https://www.etsy.com/sell
Thank you so much for updating this content- it is so helpful and much appreciated!
You’re welcome, Victoria!
Good day, I learned to make pot flowers (artificial flowers) from home. I need to make money selling them. Please help me to do.
Hi Velma,
Take a look at this post for places to sell your handmade flowers:
https://www.theworkathomewoman.com/places-to-sell-your-handmade-goods/
Good luck and keep me posted!
how much do i need to start up?
These opportunities are free.
Hi I was really interested in TeeSpring but it just didnt work out for me. I was wondering if you knew anything about Shopify http://bit.ly/ShopifyeStores? Its a great platform in the sense that is super accessible and the costs are great! I Just want to know if you have personal experience with this platform, since the range of products it deals with are so large!
Hi David,
I don’t have any experience with Shopify, but many people use them for their online shops. I do know that you have to have your own products to add to Shopify, they don’t supply them like Teespring does.
This dropshipping article may be helpful to you:
https://www.theworkathomewoman.com/become-a-mompreneur/
Good luck!
I opened my own online boutique 13 years ago & have never looked back. Its def hard though, as a small business to compete with the corporate firms.
Please check my store out http://www.spoiledbrat.co.uk
xxx
Keaton Row closed its doors earlier this year, just so you know. Looks like a lot of these companies are hard to find.
Thanks for letting me know, Chanel. I’ll have to update the list (again) =)
nice idea I am tried to implement
Good luck!
Keaton Row will fit me perfectly. I am retired now, but have been working in the fashion industry all my of my working days. Studied fashion designing & clothing is my passion
That’s wonderful, Doreen. Good luck and keep us posted!
What a fantastic resource! I wasn’t aware of many of these opportunities, but I will certainly check them out. Thanks for posting!
Glad you enjoyed the list, Camille.
Hello,
I am interested in a work-at-home t-shirt business. I am lost as to how to go about it. I have ready many articles that have left me more confused. I want to be able to print my own words or expressions. Are you able to help?
Thanks in advance for your time.
Blenda
Hi Blenda, Check out this post — it covers different t-shirt companies: https://www.theworkathomewoman.com/make-money-designing-tshirts/
Hi! I’m from Nigeria pls guide me, how can I open online boutique in Nigeria
Hi Juliet,
The Work at Home Woman is geared toward U.S. residents.
Please check out this post for international listings:
https://www.theworkathomewoman.com/worldwide-work-from-home-jobs/
Good luck!
Hi I’m from India how could i start in India plz suggest me
Hi Nix, The Work at Home Woman is predominately geared for U.S. residents, but as our International audience grows we are including more global opportunities and listings.
Check out this post for global jobs:
https://www.theworkathomewoman.com/worldwide-work-from-home-jobs/
Good luck!
Hii..i m vry much interested to open up my own online boutique.. could you plzz suggest me some good ideas on how to open an online boutique in india.??
Most of our job leads are for US residents.
Check out this post for global jobs:
https://www.theworkathomewoman.com/worldwide-work-from-home-jobs/
Good luck!
Thanks for sharing. I’m an online boutique owner and had no idea all these opportunities were out there. I must say after almost a year in its a lot of work and man hours but I wouldn’t have it any other way!
What platform did you use for your boutique?
All of these look relatively interesting. I started an online boutique a few months ago and things are going well so far. Of course, the expense was a bit more than I budgeted for but I’m certainly hoping it balances out and tips toward green in the future. I’ve learned so much, as it relates to fashion and hope to continue to do so
how is your store going?
Hi I have a brick and mortar retail store and I am trying to start a online store to help with the cost of owning a small business is there any one who can help. . Thank you Sencerly. . A broke mother/ business owner
Hi Josie,
I know that feeling. Was the same as you struggling to start an online boutique but unfortunately without any money. I found the Start Online Boutique training program useful. Hope it can help you too.
Sandra.xx
Thanks for sharing, Sandra. That one is new to me — I’ll have to check it out.
Hi Josie
I am also in your situation can we maybe meet and put our heads together and see what we can come up with.
I am from pakistan guide me hw can i start my own boutique
The Work at Home Woman is geared toward U.S. residents.
Please check out this post for international listings:
https://www.theworkathomewoman.com/worldwide-work-from-home-jobs/
Good luck!
iam in zimbabwe and would want to start my online boutique. Know of any that I can try?
Most of our job leads are for US residents.
Check out this post for global jobs:
https://www.theworkathomewoman.com/worldwide-work-from-home-jobs/
Good luck!
I think Lea Black and Zindigo are global opportunities, but you’d need to contact them to find out for sure. I wasn’t able to find any information on country restrictions.
Hi I am interested in Keaton Row, but I see no where on their site to sign up to be a stylist. Great article by the way and extremely helpful!
Here is the link, Chelle: https://www.keatonrow.com/user/stylist-signup
Another company to check out is Stitch Fix, it’s a home-based job, not a business opportunity. https://www.stitchfix.com/careers
Hi Holly, i see what Chelle means, if you follow the link you gave, it is to sign up to receive styling from another person, but not to sign up as a stylist, is there another way?
Here is the link to apply for the Stylist position (click on the “Apply Now” button)
https://www.keatonrow.com/user/stylist-signup
Good luck and keep us posted!
I tried Keaton Row. You have to have contacts testcard willing to pay $40 or above for a basic white tee. They still need to fix many many glitches in their sight. The stuff is not always available by the time you are ready to send out your look book etc. I was very disappointed.
I’m sorry to hear that. It looked like a neat opportunity =(
Im out of America arnt there any more sites for non Americans. I love fashion…
Where are you located?
I like fashion and i also like working from home, i want to start my own fashion boutique but i dont have money to fulfill my dream. Thanks for the ippotunity Daphney
I’m going to look into these. I’ve been working from home for a while and I’ve been interested in opening an online boutique. I wan’t even aware of some of these on this list. Thanks a lot for this.
Glad you enjoyed the list! Keep us posted on your journey.
I’m looking for work from home can u help pkease
I’m definitely gonna research Keaton Row, I have a fashion flair and I would love to represent women over 50. Wish me luck. BTW, you and Angie Nelson both rock!
Good luck, Whitney! Keep us posted — and thanks for your kind words!
Good list! I am a natural born artist and fashion designer for women and men who are christians! So I’ll try them out!- soon! My dreams are to be the best artist and designer in the world! Good luck to u all!
Good luck, Mimi.
A few of these are new to me. I’ll definitely have to check them out. Thanks, Holly!
Keaton Row sounds pretty cool … if I didn’t already have a job that I totally LOVE, I’d probably sign up to do that. Glad you enjoyed the list!