MISSISSIPPI STATE -- A series of four workshops sponsored by the Mississippi State University Extension Service will highlight the benefits of electronic retailing and provide tips to small business owners.

"Electronic Retailing: Selling on the Internet" will be offered in four different locations in the state on four dates in October and November: Oct. 21 in Cleveland, Oct. 28 in Raymond, Oct. 29 in D'Iberville and Nov. 6 in Verona.

"This is a 'must-attend' workshop for people who are interested in learning about selling on the Internet and specifics about electronic retailing," said Beth Duncan, Extension professor with MSU's Food and Fiber Center. "There's no doubt that the way we buy and sell consumer goods is changing quickly. The reason for this change can be explained in one word: Internet."

The workshop is designed for existing and new business start-ups that want to sell products and services to customers through a retail web site. Established businesses can benefit from expanding sales into this new market channel, or a new business could start out entirely as a virtual storefront.

"E-commerce is proving to be a great equalizer, allowing the smallest of businesses and those in rural locations to access markets and have a presence that allows them to compete on equal footing," Duncan explained.

"While the traditional ways of doing business should not be totally abandoned, given current trends and predictions, it is essential that businesses embrace the use of the Internet as a vehicle for sales," she said. "The businesses that position themselves now for a technology-driven future increase their chances of survival."

The workshop includes sessions titled "E-tail Strategy," "What Do E-Customers Want?" "Building a Web Store," "Making the Web Store Run," "Web Site Design" and "Site Marketing: Build It and They Will Come?"

The fee for early registration, which is recommended and must be completed at least one week before the workshop date, is $35 per participant and includes workshop materials, breaks and lunch. On-site or late registration (less than one week prior to each workshop) is $55.

Registration is available online at www.ext.msstate.edu/departments/foodandfiber/ecommerce/, by phone at (662) 325-2160, by fax at (662) 325-7844 or by mail at Mississippi State University Extension Service, Food & Fiber Center, Box 9642, Mississippi State, MS 39762, Attn: Ann Sansing.

For more information about the workshop or registration, call Sansing at (662) 325-2160 or by e-mail at asansing@ext.msstate.edu.