I set up an on-line shop back in 1999 as a Sr college project. The software was dirt cheap, around $200. Add in the web hosting for another 30-40 per month (back then). There was much more time involved than money.
The company was located in Dresden, OH, and sold 'just like' Longaberger Baskets baskets. It was a good product to do on-line, had very little competition, and still made the owner very little money.