Mission West Virginia Technology Academy

BACKGROUND

e-Commerce 101: Instructor Steven Graham during a typical e-commerce class.Small business owners and those looking to start an online business can learn how to move into the world of e-Commerce at an upcoming training in your community. The workshop will take small business owners step by step through a learning process that will emphasize how to develop a profitable e-Commerce solution for their business. The program explores real life case studies to allow participants an opportunity to see how other small business owners are successfully utilizing an internet business plan. Participants then develop an internet business plan specifically tailored to their business. The material covered in the program teaches not only website design but e-Commerce topics that increase a websites earning potential. Upon completion, participants should leave with an e-Commerce oriented website that they designed themselves. Participants will gain a thorough knowledge of how to drive traffic to that website, update it, and maintain it over time.

The goal of this program is that participants leave with the following:
• A thorough understanding of e-Commerce solutions available to them online
• An internet business plan custom tailored to meet their needs
• The basic knowledge of how to build, maintain, and drive traffic to an e-Commerce oriented website

The only skills participants need to take the class are basic computer skills, including keyboard and mouse operations. Participants should also be familiar with and able to use an internet browser. The curriculum will come easier to those with more advanced technology skills. The class is not open to the public; it is only open to those currently: operating a small business, looking to start a small business, or managing a non profit or public organization.

TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM TO DATE

To date over 450 small business owners completed the precursor training to this program. That workshop was a basic overview of e-Commerce topics that provided participants with the resources needed to develop an internet business plan. It was free and sponsored by: The Appalachian Regional Commission, The Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, and Verizon WV. Because of feedback provided to us from participants that completed the previous workshop, we adapted and improved the program. The instruction is now much more individualized to meet the individual business needs of the business owners participating. More personal instruction is given on how to drive traffic to that website as well as developing an internet business plan that is specifically tailored to meet the participant’s needs.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

The training is offered anywhere in the state. The cost is $125.00 for the class. Participants will also receive one free year of web hosting for completing the class. However, they must sign a contract saying they will continue to host the second year of their website with Mission West Virginia. The cost is only $20.00 a month for the second year. After the second year participants are free to host their website with whomever they choose.

THE INSTRUCTOR

Steven Graham is in his second year coordinating the WV Technology Academy. He has a Masters in Business Administration from Marshall University and enjoys working with small business owners to maximize their earning potential online. In the past we have worked with local Chambers of Commerce, Workforce Investment Boards, and other community based organizations to make this training a success. Please feel free to contact Steven if you feel their might be an interest for this program in your community. Steven is happy to work on class recruitment and marketing efforts with you. His office number is 304 562 0723 and email is sgraham@missionwv.org