NWC News Desk

Learn about eCommerce and eBay in two classes Nov. 11 and 12

Posted October 24, 2008
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P O W E L L,  W y o. - The stock market may be fluctuating, but Internet business is here to stay, and two classes held Nov. 11 and 12 can help businesses and individuals use the Web to turn a profit.

Mark Atkinson, a regional director for the University of Wyoming Small Business Development Center, will teach an evening class called "eCommerce: Get Your Wyoming Small Business on the Web" from 6:30-8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11, at the Northwest College Cody Center for Training and Development located in the Park County Complex.

In the class, Atkinson talks about the current state of this subindustry, domain names, hosts, Web site building options, marketing, search engine optimization, eCommerce sales tax, product video and client research online. Cost is $10.

He'll travel to the Powell Center for Training and Development on Wednesday, Nov. 12, from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. to teach the "Basics of Selling on eBay." Using the most up-to-date training and student materials (the same ones used by eBay University), Atkinson will show how to research and create listings that attract buyers, enhance listings with better descriptions and photography, set pricing that maximizes profits, open and use a PayPal account to simplify getting paid, monitor sales to know exactly what's working and what's not, and how to avoid many of the costly mistakes new eBay sellers may make.

Cost for the eBay class is $50.

Atkinson's small business specialties include eCommerce and Hispanic Outreach. He is a certified eBay instructor and also consults clients on using Amazon.com's sellers' market, building their own commercial Web site and utilizing free services like YouTube, Flickr.com and Facebook to broaden market penetration and increase bottom line.

He's previously worked for Utah State University, Allstate Insurance and Weber State University.  He holds a bachelor's degree in Spanish, a master's from the University of Phoenix and is currently studying for a doctorate of education in instructional technology.

Both of Atkinson's classes are sponsored by the Northwest College Center for Training and Development and the Wyoming Small Business Development Center. The Wyoming Small Business Development Center is funded in part by a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration, and in part by the Wyoming Business Council, and the University of Wyoming. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made, if requested at least two weeks in advance.

Click here for more information or to register, or call (307) 754-6062.