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Since launching in 2005, the Enterprise Nation team has helped thousands of people start and grow their businesses. Led by founder Emma Jones MBE, Enterprise Nation continues to be the most active UK small business community and a leading campaigning voice for small business. Joining Enterprise Nation connects you with resources, community and connections you need to reach your business goals.

A few weeks ago, Enterprise Nation partner AXA Business Insurance provided us with 

a useful insurance guide for cupcake makers

. Now it's the turn of online retailers. If you're selling through the internet, do you have all the cover you may need? Read this handy guide to find out"¦

Britons spent a staggering £5.86 billion shopping online in March alone this year*.Auction sites such as eBay and online marketplaces like Alibaba make it easier than ever for the homeworker to set up stall and compete with global retailers. But just because you work from your spare room or kitchen table doesn't mean that you're not a real business with real business needs. And if you think your home contents insurance will cover you, then think again. Insurers will regard you as a retailer if your business could technically be run from a shop. This means you won't have any trouble getting the cover you need.

If you sell online, then the answer is clearly yes. Your home contents insurance won't cover your computer for business use, so you'll need to think about business equipment cover. If you take your computer and phone out and about with you, then make sure you have cover for this, too. 

 A standard policy may not cover you for computer breakdown or data loss. Always keep a back up and consider an extension to your policy to cover for this.

Public liability will cover injury or damage to a person or premises negligently caused by you. If you visit one of your suppliers and they trip over your bag, you could be seriously out of pocket if they are injured and unable to work.

If the answer is yes, even if on a temporary basis to help you through a seasonal backlog, you will need employers' liability insurance. It's the law. 

 There are a few exceptions, such as employing family, so check with your insurer.

If so, have you thought what would happen if somebody was injured by choking on a bead that fell off a bracelet you sold them? Product liability insurance will cover you for injury your products may cause people. 

 It will also include damage to property caused by something you've sold or supplied.

If you use your own car for visiting suppliers, your motor insurance needs to be extended for business use. If you use a larger van for deliveries, you'll need to get commercial vehicle insurance. 

 Your retailer's policy may automatically cover goods that you deliver with your own vehicle, but if you rely on carriers you should consider 'goods in transit' cover. This will protect your goods wherever in the world they are delivered.

Even if you keep it in your home, you'll need to insure it. It's unlikely to be covered by your home contents insurance, so talk to your insurer to see what's covered and what's not. 

 Do you store stock in your garage or shed? Be security savvy and make sure your building is properly locked and alarmed.

Most businesses go bust after a major incident such as a fire or flood. Business interruption insurance will cover you for loss of profits and business expenses, as well as paying wages to your employees. 

Check out our guides to business risk and business interruption

What if you were taken to court by a customer?

Legal expenses cover will pay out if a disgruntled customer takes you to court because you've broken your contract or if you have a fall-out with an employee who wants to bring a case against you. 

 You must always tell your insurer as soon as you become aware of a claim. *IMRG Capgemini e-Retail Sales Index 

This post was contributed by Enterprise Nation partner AXA Business Insurance

Chat to the experts about business insurance

Small business insurance experts from AXA are answering your questions in our forum. Anything you need to know about getting your small enterprise protected? 

Get an exclusive discount with AXA and Enterprise Nation

AXA is offering Enterprise Nation readers an exclusive 15 per cent discount on business insurance. 

Find how to claim your discount and how AXA Business Insurance helps small enterprises meet their insurance needs

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Find out more about Enterprise Nation partners

We've partnered with a number of leading brands to bring you advice, offers and discounts on products and services. 

How to protect your small business when you're selling online

Insurance for ecommerce: How to get protected if you're selling online

If you're selling through the internet, do you have all the cover you may need? Read this handy guide to find out!

&lt;p&gt;Hello, I'm Amanda, Enterprise Nation's&amp;nbsp;adviser community manager. I oversee communications, content and events for our active and collaborative adviser community. I'm here to help our members make the most of opportunities and ensure we're constantly improving what we offer.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Previously, I've worked across a range of professional services industries specialising in diversity and inclusion and&amp;nbsp;corporate culture. I founded&amp;nbsp;an award-winning corporate&amp;nbsp;D&amp;amp;I&amp;nbsp;initiative&amp;nbsp;and led community strategies for a global board-level women’s network.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;An aspiring writer and storyteller. My&amp;nbsp;roots are from Wisconsin but I have lived in the UK for over 11 years. I enjoy&amp;nbsp;going to gigs, fitness, camping, and&amp;nbsp;far away places.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

Adviser Community Manager

How to build a £100k online consultancy business model

Rachael Howourth turned her biggest challenge into her greatest strength.

<p>As Enterprise Nation's small business community manager, my role is to guide our members through every stage of their user journey, developing and improving their experience within the Enterprise Nation community, and arming them with the knowledge and resources they need to start and grow their business.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>I have over 20 years of experience working in customer and B2B support. Having also managed a small business for many years, I understand the struggles that they face am passionate about helping them grow. I love to hear member success stories, particularly those in the food and drink sector.&nbsp;</p>

Small Business Community Manager

New to the Enterprise Nation community

This is a group for new members of the Enterprise Nation community to connect with likeminded businesses and the Enterprise Nation team. Use this space to meet other businesses who might be on a similar journey or looking to grow their network. Join and introduce yourself! Welcome to the community.

Helping you have a successful freelance business

&lt;p&gt;As the founder of &amp;#39;Being&amp;nbsp;Freelance&amp;#39; I love helping other freelancers make a success of self employed life.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Through my long running podcast and community I&amp;#39;ve explored the various ways we can make freelancing work for us.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;I&amp;#39;d love to support you through mentorship here on Enterprise Nation. Do get in touch. Be in a one off conversation or on going support.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;If you&amp;#39;d rather work at 

I offer clients account management & sales development with a focus on growing sales profitably. 
I have over 25 years food & drink sales expertise in several sales channels working with both brands & own label. My career progressed to the role of Sales Director through my determination, & achievements. My experience & contacts led me to successfully setting up my own food & drink sales consultancy 9 years ago.