Books are still widely read, and many people don’t mind reading used books that are in good condition. In fact, lots of readers prefer used books because they’re less expensive than new ones.
Used book stores sell used books to customers. Some stores have storefronts, while others sell only online. Also, some stores carry all genres and types of books, while others specialize in a niche.
Ready to turn your business idea into a reality? Tailor Brands is our top recommendation because it guides you through every step of the formation process with hands-on support — from paperwork and compliance to devising a detailed plan to help you achieve your business goals.
Tailor Brands ($0 + State Fees)
Start a used book store by following these 10 steps:
- Plan your Used Book Store
- Form your Used Book Store into a Legal Entity
- Register your Used Book Store for Taxes
- Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
- Set up Accounting for your Used Book Store
- Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Used Book Store
- Get Used Book Store Insurance
- Define your Used Book Store Brand
- Create your Used Book Store Website
- Set up your Business Phone System
We have put together this simple guide to starting your used book 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:
- What will you name your business?
- What are the startup and ongoing costs?
- Who is your target market?
- How much can you charge customers?
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 Used Book 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 used book store?
The costs associated with opening a used book store business vary a lot depending on whether a store will be based online or have a physical storefront.
A business with a physical storefront must pay for a space. This includes rent for the space, as well as insurance premiums and utilities. Also, physical book stores usually need to carry more inventory because they have to fill their shelves with books. The total cost of opening a physical book store can range from $8,250 to $18,950.
Online used book stores cost much less to open. Their primary startup expense is inventory, which can be adjusted to a business owner’s budget. Some business owners invest several thousand dollars in inventory, while others begin with their own personal collections of books.
Online book selling platforms charge listing or selling fees. Most of the time, however, there is an option to have these fees subtracted from sales rather than paid up front. Taking them out of sales may cost more, but it keeps startup expenses low. Once business owners sell enough books to afford an upfront fee, they can switch their fee payment method.
Because online stores cost less to start up and many customers shop online, new business owners frequently opt to open an online store instead of a physical one.
What are the ongoing expenses for a used book store?
The biggest ongoing expense for a used book store is purchasing more inventory. Online stores must also pay listing fees and shipping costs. Over 80 percent of owners who have online stores keep their inventory in their home. This eliminates the need to lease storage space. Physical stores have to pay rent and utilities.
Who is the target market?
A used book store business’ ideal customer is someone who reads a lot. Such a person will be regularly looking for more books. They’ll also appreciate how much they can save by purchasing used books instead of new ones.
How does a used book store make money?
A used book store makes money by selling used books. Most books are priced individually. At physical stores, though, some books that have little value may be priced at a standard low rate (e.g. $0.05) to get customers in the door.
How much can you charge customers?
The price of used books varies greatly. Many books are available on Amazon for a penny plus shipping. At the other extreme, rare books can go for thousands of dollars. A first edition of The Hobbit was available for 7,800 EUR ($8,910 USD) at the time of writing.
To earn a profit on the books they sell, business owners should offer about one-third of the going rate for books. In some cases, they may offer a little less or more than this. Paying one-third provides a decent profit, though.
How much profit can a used book store make?
Book Sale Finder’s survey breaks income out by what business owners did before they opened a used book store business. Of those who quit their jobs to start a business:
- 13 percent earn less than $5,000 annually
- 15 percent earn between $5,000 and $20,000 annually
- 29 percent earn between $20,000 and $50,000 annually
- 19 percent earn between $50,000 and $100,000 annually
- 13 percent make over $100,000 annually
(These figures include both part- and full-time business owners.)
Business owners who were involuntarily unemployed, homebound, working another job, or retired before starting a used book store business tend to make a little less than the above figures.
How can you make your business more profitable?
Business owners who are familiar with the value of rare and out-of-print books can increase their income by offering appraisals of books. All used book store business owners can generate more revenue by selling book-related items in addition to books.
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 used book 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 used book 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.
Ready to Turn Your Business Idea Into a Reality?
Tailor Brands is our top recommendation because it guides you through every step of the formation process with hands-on support — from paperwork and compliance to devising a detailed plan to help you achieve your business goals.
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:
- Separate personal and business expenses by putting your business’ expenses all in one place.
- Build your company’s credit history, which can be useful to raise money later on.
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 open a used book store. 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
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 used book 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 used book 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 Used Book Store needs and how much it will cost you by reading our guide Business Insurance for Used Book 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 used book store
Regardless of whether a used book store business has a storefront or is only online, it should be promoted online. Social media, review sites, and reviews on book-buying sites (e.g. Amazon) will increase a book store’s visibility.
How to keep customers coming back
A used book store business can distinguish itself from others by specializing in a particular type of book. John K. King does this by selling used and rare books. Colophon Books focuses on horror, weird fiction, and science-fiction from the United Kingdom.
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: WordPress, WIX, Weebly, Squarespace, 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?
The ideal used book store business owner is someone who loves to read and is passionate about books. Most owners have personal collections of books before they open a store. A survey by Book Sale Finder also found that over 80 percent of owners like the thrill of finding “treasures.” This made finding treasures the number one factor for becoming a used book store business owner.
This is an easy business to begin as a part-time business. In fact, Book Sale Finder’s data showed that 53 percent of business owners sold books part-time. Many began their businesses while semi-retired, after losing their jobs, when homebound or while working other full-time jobs.
Want to know if you are cut out to be an entrepreneur?
Take our Entrepreneurship Quiz to find out!
What happens during a typical day at a used book store?
A book store business owner spends much of their time on the following four tasks:
- Acquiring inventory
- Evaluating and pricing books
- Listing books
- Fulfilling and shipping orders
When not working directly with books, business owners may pay bills, clean their facility (if they own a physical store), and market their store.
What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful used book store?
Used book store business owners must be familiar with the going prices of books, reader trends, and how to run a book store. Those without industry experience can learn about these different aspects of owning a used book store several ways:
- Pay & Associates offers online training that’s endorsed by the American Booksellers Association
- IAP Career College has an online Bookstore Owner Certificate
- The American Booksellers Association has many educational materials and events
Many books have also been written on how to sell used books. A few titles include How to Sell Used Books on Amazon, The Home-Based Bookstore and Sell Used Books Online.
Business owners who are looking for an inexpensive way to learn about the industry may try working for a used book store. Working for another store will give business owners first-hand experience in the industry and provide some income.
What is the growth potential for a used book store?
Most used book store businesses remain small businesses, which is why over half of all owners run their stores part-time. Some businesses, become local or regional chains.
For example, Half Priced Books has almost 50 locations throughout Texas and Oklahoma. Walls of Books has locations throughout the United States (mostly in the Eastern U.S.). A couple examples of single-location used book stores are Dawn Treader Book Shop in Ann Arbor, Michigan and Autumn Leaves Used Books in Ithaca, New York.
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 used book store?
When starting a used book store business that has a physical store front, it’s important to select a high-traffic area. The local population should be at least 30,000 people, and the store’s location should have lots of people passing by.
When opening an online used book store business, providing excellent customer service to the first few customers who place orders is of the utmost importance. Customers decide who to buy books from based on reviews. A few negative reviews will tank a business. A few positive ones will get it off to a good start.
How and when to build a team
Used book store business owners who run online businesses frequently operate their stores themselves. Owners of businesses with physical stores may run their business themselves or have a staff. Hiring employees lets them be open longer hours.
Useful Links
Industry Opportunities
- American Booksellers Association
- Antiquarian Booksellers’ of America
- Wall of books Franchising
- Find more Business Ideas perfect for Small Towns!