How to Start a Dart Store

A dart store sells all the accessories desired by those who enjoy playing the game of darts. From flights to boards to scoring devices, there’s a wide range of gear for aficionados. Dart stores can sell either commercial or personal equipment.

You may also be interested in additional unique business ideas.

Ready to turn your business idea into a reality? We recommend forming an LLC as it is the most affordable way to protect your personal assets. You can do this yourself or with our trusted partner for a small fee.

 Northwest ($29 + State Fees)

DIY: How to Start an LLC

Start a dart store by following these 10 steps:

  1. Plan your Dart Store
  2. Form your Dart Store into a Legal Entity
  3. Register your Dart Store for Taxes
  4. Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
  5. Set up Accounting for your Dart Store
  6. Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Dart Store
  7. Get Dart Store Insurance
  8. Define your Dart Store Brand
  9. Create your Dart Store Website
  10. Set up your Business Phone System

We have put together this simple guide to starting your dart store. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.

Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas.

STEP 1: Plan your business

A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:

Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.

What will you name your business?

Choosing the right name is important and challenging. If you don’t already have a name in mind, visit our How to Name a Business guide or get help brainstorming a name with our Dart Store Name Generator

If you operate a sole proprietorship, you might want to operate under a business name other than your own name. Visit our DBA guide to learn more.

When registering a business name, we recommend researching your business name by checking:

  • Your state’s business records
  • Federal and state trademark records
  • Social media platforms
  • Web domain availability

It’s very important to secure your domain name before someone else does.

What are the costs involved in opening a dart store?

Costs are generally determined based on rent for the location and the price of the wholesale materials. You will need to secure permits from local officials, who may or may not charge additional fees for setting up the store. If you plan to employ help, you’ll need to budget for their salaries as well.

What are the ongoing expenses for a dart store?

Ongoing expenses for dart stores tend to be low, depending on how often you need to replenish your product. Other than that, all you’ll need to do is pay your rent, utilities, and employees.

Who is the target market?

The target market for dart store owners doesn’t necessarily have to be hard-core players, though they will certainly be the most enthusiastic bunch when it comes to new products or developments. Bars are popular establishments no matter where you live, and drinking can be more fun when there’s an activity to do. The target market can be anyone who enjoys games or any establishment owners who want to give their clientele a better experience.

How does a dart store make money?

Dart stores set profit margins based on public demand and the original cost of the item. If you’re planning on making your own custom dart boards and accessories, you’ll need to account for not just the cost of the items, but also the time you spent making it and the space you needed to sell it. For example, if it took you 10 hours to make one board and $40 in raw materials, you may want to charge $300 for the completed product.

How much can you charge customers?

People are willing to pay to ensure their equipment is top-notch. A specialty dartboard can cost $300 or more, and specialty darts can sell for up $1,000! An electronic dartboard can cost around $250, and a standard cork dartboard may cost anywhere from $50 to $100. Most people will pay between $50 to $100 for a solid set of quality darts too. New flights are typically just a few bucks, but owners can charge more for specialty flights.

How much profit can a dart store make?

Profits are highly dependent on your clientele and marketing strategies. For luxury clients, you can set your gross profit margins at about 40 – 50%. For general goods, you may want to set your profit margins closer to 20 – 30% (subject to demand.)

How can you make your business more profitable?

You may want to consider offering lessons to your clientele as a way of boosting business, or setting up a lounge where people can pay by the hour. They might be willing to pay to practice without being hassled by a fellow bar member asking to be a part of the game. You could even consider taking your business to local corporations as a way to encourage creativity and recreation among busy professionals.

Want a more guided approach? Access TRUiC’s free Small Business Startup Guide – a step-by-step course for turning your business idea into reality. Get started today!

STEP 2: Form a legal entity

One crucial aspect that cannot be overlooked when starting your dart store is the importance of establishing a solid business foundation. While sole proprietorships and partnerships are the most common entity types for small businesses, they’re a far less stable and advantageous option than LLCs.

This is because unincorporated business structures (i.e., sole proprietorships and partnerships) expose you as an owner to personal liability for your business’s debts and legal actions, while LLCs protect you by keeping your personal assets separate from your business’s liabilities.

In practice, this means that if your dart store were to face a lawsuit or incur any debts, your savings, home, and other personal assets could not be used to cover these costs. On top of this, forming your business as an LLC also helps it to appear more legitimate and trustworthy.

More than 84% of our readers opt to collaborate with a professional LLC formation service to kickstart their venture. We’ve negotiated a tailored discount for our readers, bringing the total down to just $29.

FORM YOUR LLC

Note: If you’re interested in more information before getting started, we recommend having a look at our state-specific How to Start an LLC guide (DIY) or our in-depth Best LLC Services review (for those opting for a professional service).

STEP 3: Register for taxes

You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.

In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It’s really easy and free!

You can acquire your EIN through the IRS website. If you would like to learn more about EINs, read our article, What is an EIN?

There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.

STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card

Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.

When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil.

Open a business bank account

Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:

  • Separates your personal assets from your company’s assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
  • Makes accounting and tax filing easier.

Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Business review to find the best national bank or credit union.

Get a business credit card

Getting a business credit card helps you:

Recommended: Apply for an easy approval business credit card from BILL and build your business credit quickly.

STEP 5: Set up business accounting

Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.

Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.

STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses

Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.

State & Local Business Licensing Requirements

Certain state permits and licenses may be needed to operate a dart store business. Learn more about licensing requirements in your state by visiting SBA’s reference to state licenses and permits.

Most businesses are required to collect sales tax on the goods or services they provide. To learn more about how sales tax will affect your business, read our article, Sales Tax for Small Businesses.

Certificate of Occupancy

A dart store business is generally run out of a storefront. Businesses operating out of a physical location typically require a Certificate of Occupancy (CO).  A CO confirms that all building codes, zoning laws and government regulations have been met.

  • If you plan to lease a location:
    • It is generally the landlord’s responsibility to obtain a CO.
    • Before leasing, confirm that your landlord has or can obtain a valid CO that is applicable to a dart store business.
    • After a major renovation, a new CO often needs to be issued. If your place of business will be renovated before opening, it is recommended to include language in your lease agreement stating that lease payments will not commence until a valid CO is issued.
  • If you plan to purchase or build a location:
    • You will be responsible for obtaining a valid CO from a local government authority.
    • Review all building codes and zoning requirements for your business’ location to ensure your dart store business will be in compliance and able to obtain a CO.

STEP 7: Get business insurance

Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.

There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance. This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.

Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance. If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers’ Compensation Coverage.

Find out what types of insurance your Dart Store needs and how much it will cost you by reading our guide Business Insurance for Dart Store.

STEP 8: Define your brand

Your brand is what your company stands for, as well as how your business is perceived by the public. A strong brand will help your business stand out from competitors.

If you already have a logo, you can also add it to a QR code with our Free QR Code Generator. Choose from 13 QR code types to create a code for your business cards and publications, or to help spread awareness for your new website.

How to promote & market a dart store

Your promotion depends on your target demographic. You can sell primarily to commercial business owners looking to make money, in which case you may want to start out by networking. You can sell primarily to dart pros, and market your store as a gathering place to share ideas and exchange advice. Get involved with and advertise to specialized social media groups, or at bars that host tournaments. You can also sell to amateur players looking for something to do on a Saturday night in their basement. In this case, you may to use website or print ads that highlight the fun and friendly competition of a dart game.

How to keep customers coming back

Customer service and quality products are two major factors. Customers are looking for someone who can answer their questions and meet their requests. You should also be listening to your customer’s suggestions, especially in the beginning. This means that if someone comes in and asks for a dartboard with a certain picture or print on the board, you should try to make it happen before telling them no.

STEP 9: Create your business website

After defining your brand and creating your logo the next step is to create a website for your business.

While creating a website is an essential step, some may fear that it’s out of their reach because they don’t have any website-building experience. While this may have been a reasonable fear back in 2015, web technology has seen huge advancements in the past few years that makes the lives of small business owners much simpler.

Here are the main reasons why you shouldn’t delay building your website:

  • All legitimate businesses have websites – full stop. The size or industry of your business does not matter when it comes to getting your business online.
  • Social media accounts like Facebook pages or LinkedIn business profiles are not a replacement for a business website that you own.
  • Website builder tools like the GoDaddy Website Builder have made creating a basic website extremely simple. You don’t need to hire a web developer or designer to create a website that you can be proud of.

Recommended: Get started today using our recommended website builder or check out our review of the Best Website Builders.

Other popular website builders are: WordPressWIXWeeblySquarespace, and Shopify.

STEP 10: Set up your business phone system

Getting a phone set up for your business is one of the best ways to help keep your personal life and business life separate and private. That’s not the only benefit; it also helps you make your business more automated, gives your business legitimacy, and makes it easier for potential customers to find and contact you.

There are many services available to entrepreneurs who want to set up a business phone system. We’ve reviewed the top companies and rated them based on price, features, and ease of use. Check out our review of the Best Business Phone Systems 2024 to find the best phone service for your small business.

Recommended Business Phone Service: Phone.com

Phone.com is our top choice for small business phone numbers because of all the features it offers for small businesses and it’s fair pricing.

Is this Business Right For You?

This business is excellent for a dart master. Because there are many places online that customers can buy dart equipment, it is important to be knowledgeable and passionate about the game of darts, so customers will look to you for expertise and recommendations that they cannot get while buying products online. Customers will be looking for an expert who can show how to get the best possible game, and recommend products based on their personal body type and throw style. A dart store can also be a good business for a local artisan who can make personalized boards or flights for high-end clients.

Want to know if you are cut out to be an entrepreneur?

Take our Entrepreneurship Quiz to find out!

Entrepreneurship Quiz

What happens during a typical day at a dart store?

Owners may handle the following in any given day:

  • Selling/customer service
  • Marketing and website maintenance
  • Researching dart opportunities (e.g., tournaments, etc.)
  • Managing employees
  • Sourcing/making products

What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful dart store?

Being a notable player in the world of darts can be a great start. People will come to you for advice they can’t find anywhere else. Master dartboard craftsmen will also start with an advantage because they can build a clientele based on unusual dartboard designs.

What is the growth potential for a dart store?

Growth potential may be limited in the beginning, especially if you’re living in an area where darts aren’t very popular. Most equipment is built to last, meaning a bar may not buy a board for a decade or two. However, it’s possible to create public demand if you can get the word out, or capitalize on existing demands in highly populated areas.

Take the Next Step

Find a business mentor

One of the greatest resources an entrepreneur can have is quality mentorship. As you start planning your business, connect with a free business resource near you to get the help you need.

Having a support network in place to turn to during tough times is a major factor of success for new business owners.

Learn from other business owners

Want to learn more about starting a business from entrepreneurs themselves? Visit Startup Savant’s startup founder series to gain entrepreneurial insights, lessons, and advice from founders themselves.

Resources to Help Women in Business

There are many resources out there specifically for women entrepreneurs. We’ve gathered necessary and useful information to help you succeed both professionally and personally:

  • Funding
  • Events
  • Guides
  • Support

If you’re a woman looking for some guidance in entrepreneurship, check out this great new series Women in Business created by the women of our partner Startup Savant.

What are some insider tips for jump starting a dart store?

The key is to look for opportunities when it comes to selling dart equipment. There are millions of casual dart players around the world, even if the sport isn’t as popular as it used to be. Owners may be able to generate interest by starting dart leagues around their area. There aren’t a lot of hurdles to playing darts, and a dart league can provide some much needed novelty in people’s lives.

Leagues will increase your business right off the bat, and turn your store into a staple around town. You can also consider specializing in selling either electronic or standard dartboards. Bars typically prefer electronic dartboards because they can charge for every game a customer plays. However, some players may not like them and may avoid bars that have them. Knowing your clientele can help you decide the best path to get started.

How and when to build a team

You don’t necessarily have to build a team if you’re just getting started. You may choose to have your dart store open only during certain hours, or to make it by appointment only. Once you get a steady clientele, you can look for fellow dart lovers to take over the shifts you can’t cover.

Useful Links

Industry Opportunities