Daily Pioneer News

PLATTEVILLE- Retail e-commerce is rapidly growing, with a 22 percent increase in retail e-commerce since 2005, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. In response to this growth, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville Department of Business and Accounting is offering a new course, E-commerce and E-marketing in Today's World.

The course will cover how businesses can market and sell their products and services on the Internet. In addition, students will learn web design, how to optimize search engines, use e-mail marketing, draw people to their website and sell on the Internet using sites like E-bay, Amazon and Priceline. The course will be taught by a new faculty member who specializes in e-commerce and marketing. The department of business and accounting is currently in the process of hiring the new faculty member.

Michelle Rahm, a UWP alumna and owner of jewerlyimpressions.com, had significant influence in starting the class. After her business success, she thought that UWP students should know how to tap into the e-market.

Even if students do not plan on starting their own online business, Bernie Harris, associate professor of business and accounting, said the course will still be beneficial. "Even if you don't have a website, no matter where you're working, you'll be working with the Internet. The more familiar and experienced you are, the more you can broaden your customer base," Harris said. "With the Internet, you're not restricted to local trading areas. You can advance retail markets and business-to-business contact. There's so much online."

Anyone wanting more information about the UWP e-commerce course may contact Harris at (608) 342-1701 or harrisb@uwplatt.edu.

Contact: Bernie Harris, associate professor, business and accounting, (608) 342-1701, harrisb@uwplatt.edu Written by: Krystle Kurdi, UWP Public Relations, (608) 342-1194, kurdik@uwplatt.edu