Creating a website that not only attracts visitors but also promotes business growth is an art that combines understanding, strategy, and technical prowess. In today's digital age, a website serves as the central hub of your business's online presence. To harness its full potential, you need to strategically plan and execute its design and functionalities with your audience in mind. Here’s how you can make your website a powerful tool for business expansion.

Understand Your Audience
 To make your website effective, start by deeply understanding who your audience is. What are their needs, preferences, and web browsing behaviors? Tailor your website’s content, design, and user experience to meet their specific expectations and solve their unique challenges. By doing so, you not only retain their attention but also foster loyalty, which is crucial for repeated business and referrals. Remember, a successful website speaks the language of its users and meets them where they are.

Develop an Intuitive Interface
An intuitive user interface (UI) is key to a positive user experience. Your website should be easy to navigate, with logical pathways that guide visitors effortlessly to their desired destinations. This includes having a well-organized layout, clear menus, and interactive elements that are responsive and quick to engage. A straightforward UI reduces bounce rates and increases the chances of converting a visitor into a customer by minimizing frustration and improving satisfaction.

Establish a Clear Purpose
Each page of your website should have a clear purpose that aligns with your business goals. Whether it’s to inform, engage, or convert, the purpose should be evident through the content and calls to action you incorporate. This clarity helps visitors understand what you offer and what you want them to do next, be it subscribing to a newsletter, making a purchase, or contacting your team for more information.

Work with Website Expert
Collaborating with Van Haaren Designs ensures that your website not only looks professional but is also optimized for business growth. Their dedicated professionals bring a wealth of experience in design, functionality, and user experience, ensuring your website delivers on every front. From seamless navigation to compelling visuals, they take the time to understand your unique business needs, translating them into a top-notch online presence.

Enhance Your Site for SEO
Elevating your website's SEO is crucial for enhancing its position in search engine rankings, which significantly boosts visibility and attracts more traffic. To effectively connect with potential customers, integrate keywords relevant to your services, using resources like the Google Keyword Planner to discover which terms are most likely to draw in your target audience. These keywords should be skillfully woven into the fabric of your website’s content, as well as its titles and meta descriptions, to maximize your SEO impact.

Optimize for Responsiveness
In a world where mobile devices account for approximately half of the web traffic globally, having a responsive website is crucial. Ensure that your website’s design adjusts smoothly to different screen sizes and resolutions. This not only improves user experience but also affects your SEO rankings, as search engines favor mobile-friendly websites. A responsive design ensures that all visitors, no matter what device they are using, have access to a fully functional, visually appealing site.

Incorporate Visuals Strategically Incorporating
 high-quality images, videos, and graphics into your website not only captivates visitors but also clarifies complex concepts, making the user experience both informative and enjoyable. You must choose visuals that are directly relevant to your content and optimize them for rapid loading to enhance site performance. Strategically placed, these elements can dramatically increase user engagement and extend the time visitors spend on your site. By carefully integrating these visuals, you ensure that your website is not just seen but remembered.
 
In crafting a website that advances business growth, prioritizing both functionality and aesthetics is crucial. Effective web design merges strategic planning with innovative execution, ensuring that each element serves a distinct purpose in engaging visitors and enhancing their experience. By attentively addressing the core aspects of user experience, visual engagement, and technical performance, businesses can develop a digital presence that not only attracts but retains a growing audience.
Transform your vision into reality with custom website and graphic design services from VanHaaren Designs, now featuring affordable photo sessions to capture your special moments. Contact us today for personalized service and 24/7 support.

I finally have my new book "Never Forget You", published on Amazon. Below is the book for purchase. I will be working on some other new projects, a mini series is coming soon to follow up this short story. 

It has been a long time since I have written any posts or updates. With moving back to Michigan and starting a new job with different hours and just getting a busier schedule, I have not had the time to dedicate within the past year to post any writing on my website. 

I now have a more balanced schedule and will start getting back into writing. First major update, I have written a new short story which will be published soon on Amazon Kindle. The name of the book is called "Never Forgot You." Once the title is live on the store, I will publish the link here. 

I am also going to start getting into selling Tastefully Simple. I do love the products and purchase them, however just the schedule would not allow for me to have the extra time. Once I get everything renewed, I will repost my new link to purchase products. I will also post a calendar to schedule in home or virtual tasting parties later in September. I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend and I will post more information soon. I miss writing about saving money on everything!!

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Video marketing is an effective way to reach potential customers and build brand awareness. It can be used to showcase products, provide tutorials, and create a connection with customers. For small businesses, video marketing can be a great way to get started without breaking the bank. Here’s what you need to know about video marketing.

Defining Your Target Market to Tailor Videos
​The first step in video marketing is defining your target market. This will help you tailor your videos to the right audience and ensure that they are seen by the people who are most likely to be interested in your products or services. Knowing who you are targeting will also help you create content that resonates with them and encourages them to take action.

Planning a Budget
Creating videos can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to break the bank. Before getting started, plan out a budget for how much you are willing to spend on video production and promotion. This will help keep costs under control while still allowing you to create quality videos that engage viewers and drive conversions.

Types of Video MarketingThere are many different types of video marketing including product demos, webinars, explainer videos, customer testimonials, and more. Choose the type of video that best fits your needs and goals. Consider how you want to engage viewers and what type of content will be most effective for reaching your target market.
 
Trust VanHaaren Designs for expert web and graphic design services.
 
A Project Management Platform Can Help
 
Using a project management platform for video production allows you to stay organized, manage tasks, and collaborate with team members. It streamlines the production process by enabling remote collaboration on scripts, storyboards, and other documents. Moreover, its centralized communication feature ensures everyone is kept in the loop with real-time changes and updates. With options for a project management tool, you can be sure that your team will always deliver high-quality videos in an efficient and timely manner.

Incorporating Infographics in Your Videos
Infographics are a great way to convey information engagingly while keeping viewers interested in what you have to say. Incorporate infographics into your videos to make them more visually appealing and easy to digest. This will help viewers easily grasp your message and retain the information you are presenting.

Choosing Where to Publish
Once you have created your videos, they must reach their intended audience so consider publishing them on social media platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, or Google Business Pages. This will help you get your videos in front of potential customers and create brand awareness. Additionally, depending on the platform you choose, you may be able to target specific demographics to ensure that your videos are seen by the right people.  

Adding Videos to Content
  Using videos in your content marketing is another great option for small businesses looking to reach potential customers without spending too much money on advertising campaigns or production costs. Consider creating tutorials or educational pieces related to topics within your industry that offer useful advice or tips that viewers can use in their everyday lives. This will help establish trust with potential customers while also showcasing the expertise of your company at the same time.

Gauging Campaign Effectiveness  
Once all of the above steps have been taken, it is important to gauge how effective each campaign has been by tracking views, clicks, and conversions. This data can then be used to optimize future campaigns by focusing on what works best for each business’s needs. This allows companies to maximize their return on investment (ROI) from each campaign over time.
 
With careful planning and research into different types of video marketing tactics such as publishing content across multiple social media channels and utilizing a project management platform, small businesses can effectively utilize video marketing strategies. It is important to remember that while video marketing can be a powerful tool, it should be used with purpose and care to ensure maximum results. With the right approach, small businesses can unlock the potential of video marketing without breaking the bank.

                                          Careers in Video Game Development 
Even the biggest video games — such as Minecraft, League of Legends, Call of Duty, and
Legend of Zelda — come from creativity, effort, and love poured into them by thousands of
individual developers without whom the game industry wouldn’t exist.
Many of those game developers were players first. Driven by a passion for video games,
they use a mix of skills to bring games to life. These skills include IT and programming,
communication, teamwork, time management, creativity, and problem-solving. Devoted
gamers likely already have several of those in spades: the challenge is finding a job as a
developer. Read on to learn about some ways you can turn your love of video games into a
career.

                              Building Experience and Breaking Into the Industry 
Getting a job as a developer in Fairfield Bay, AR, requires you to demonstrate IT skills and
video game expertise. Fortunately, there are many ways into this industry. In Fairfield Bay
and elsewhere, video game bloggers and YouTubers make money from advertising revenue
or sites like Patreon that allow their followers to support them directly. Starting a gaming
blog or YouTube channel will improve your knowledge and demonstrate consistent
engagement with games and game mechanics. Similarly, jobs, such as game testing, allow
gamers to get a sense of the thing's developers have to consider, while working directly
with or for game studios and building connections within the industry.
Potential employers will want to see a portfolio of your previous work experience in game
development. To gain experience, you can:

• Join a game jam. Events like GlobalGameJam bring thousands of developers of every
skill level to collaborate and build games in as little time as one or two days.
• Build your own game. Developing indie games on platforms like Unity is another way
to get experience. 
• Apply for an internship. Internships have low entry requirements and offer learning
experiences for beginners. Many can become a full-time job when the internship is
over.
Whatever your path, it’s important to practice wherever possible and build a portfolio to
show potential employers.

Another strategy is to ensure you have the right qualifications. Having any undergraduate
degree is helpful, but you can specialize when you earn something like an online software
development degree. Many computer science graduate programs and job listings near
Fairfield Bay don’t require applicants to have a bachelor’s in a tech-related field at all --
only that they have one.

                                                              Starting a Business 
Starting a business, such as a limited liability company or LLC, offers substantial tax
advantages and helps you manage your finances. So, consider starting a video game
business. To register your new LLC, refer to Arizona state regulations. For those who need
assistance, online business formation services will do the work and typically cost less than
hiring a lawyer.

                                           You Can Have the Career of Your Dreams
Making money while playing and testing video games, starting a business to streamline
your game development portfolio, and earning a degree relevant to game development are
all time-tested strategies to break into the video game industry. The whole video game
industry is at your fingertips as long as you are creative and work hard. Reach out to Van
Haaren Designs to set up a website that showcases your experience, work, and identity in
the gaming industry.

Image via Pexels      

By now I am sure everyone knows I sell tastefully simple and pure romance. I absolutely love the companies and the connections I make and fun times I have. For the months of October, November and December I am opening my calendar to fill dates for online and in person parties. Holidays are right around the corner and I would love to help get the shopping started. Win free products and receive deep discounts for becoming  a hostess for either company. I am excited to get the party started and hope to hear from you and when your available to book your party. 

#holidays #tastefullysimple #pureromance #parties #fun

With the cost of food on the rise, it saves money in the long run to eat at home. Nothing wrong with going out occasionally and getting food. With Tastefully Simple, you have access to budget friendly recipes and our products are delicious and affordable. Below I will share a website that has so many different recipes you can pick from to plan out your meals for the week. If you want to place an order as well for anything, my personal shopping link will be included. 

​#tastefullysimple #recipes #savemoney #food

Personal link to place an order:
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Today's blog will be discussing Pure Romance and why I love their products and became a consultant. The first time I heard of Pure Romance was back in 2009 when I was invited to a party. I loved how much fun it was and having time with my friends. I loved the different products that were offered, and it gave me a sense of confidence within myself. 
There are different lines of products, beauty and body, toys, bath and shower, and health and wellness. Pure Romance opens up doors of opportunity to make money, fun parties whether in person or online, if you do not want to join a party, you can buy directly online through a consultant and if you have any questions on products, that person you choose to shop through can provide information and samples upon request. 
#pureromance #fun #sidemoney 
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Starting a side hustle can be rewarding and bring in some extra income. It can be easy, though, to throw self-care out the window with a busy schedule. Statistics show that 57% of workers can feel paralyzed by stress. Paying attention to your stress levels and taking time for yourself is essential. Thankfully, there are easy habits you can add to your routine that don’t take too much time or energy. Here are five to consider.
 
1. Lighten Your Load
If you struggle with asking for assistance, the first step for you might be lightening your schedule. You may need to outsource specific duties and hire help, or you could automate tasks using AI and specialized software. Using AI customer service on your website, for instance, can take care of many inquiries before they reach you. Learn how VanHaaren Designs can help you create a stunning and functional website.
 
In addition, if you’re an overachiever, there may be some things you can take off of your schedule that are unnecessary. It may be time to sit down, sort through your routines and tasks, and assess if they match your current priorities.
 
2. Reorganize Your Devices
If you spend a lot of time scrolling, consider deleting social media apps on your phone or home screen and replacing them with more health-centered apps. That way, when you open your phone, you are greeted with the idea of a 5-minute meditation session instead of automatically clicking on TikTok or Instagram. Depending on your needs, you can also add fitness, nutrition, and other health apps.
 
3. Get Help
If the thought of improving your well-being alone seems overwhelming, there are plenty of therapy options to take advantage of. Thanks to virtual therapy, you can access high-quality counselors wherever you are. Sessions with online doctors are always confidential, private, and secure, so you don’t have to worry about your information becoming public.
 
Online therapy gives you a more comprehensive selection of professionals to choose from at a lower cost, and you will save money on commutes. If you’re worried about finding the right match, many therapists offer a free consultation so you can see if they’re a good fit.
 
4. Practice Intuitive Eating
Eating healthy usually takes initial planning and thought. For those reasons, it can be easy to grab unhealthy food in a pinch. Intuitive eating is a way to eat mindfully and pay attention to what your body needs without rushing. If you eat slowly and pay attention to your body’s cues, you will be more likely to eat only when you're feeling hungry and stop eating when you've had enough. You will also be more in touch with which foods affect your mood and energy levels, among other factors.
 
If you’re not into meal prep, make a list of healthy meals at local restaurants that you can choose from so you have ideas when you don’t have time to research.
 
5. Start Moving
The rise of step counters and fitness trackers has made people more aware of how little most modern workers move. Sitting at a desk all day is bad for energy levels and overall health, so make sure you take regular breaks for five to 10-minute walks throughout the day. Most phones will count steps now, but for increased accuracy, you may want a dedicated tracking device.
 
By following these tips, you can increase your well-being while working your side hustle. You can incorporate new habits slowly, so don’t raise your stress by focusing on immediate perfection. By adding one at a time, you can work your way up to wellness.

Image via Pexels

(Image via Pixabay)  

Business owners wear many hats as they run their companies, but they sometimes have to rely on outside workers to keep up with demand and to help their business grow. Do you feel like your business could benefit from the expertise of a sales and marketing strategist? VanHaaren Designs outlines three questions to consider before you decide to hire a professional:
 
What Makes a Great Sales and Marketing Professional?
 
One of the roles of the marketing strategist is to create a cohesive campaign to promote your brand. An experienced marketing consultant will set sales goals and develop strategies to reach your target market. He or she should be familiar with social media advertising and SEO, as more and more customers rely on online channels to discover new trends and products.
 
Your marketing strategist needs to be skilled at conducting research and analyzing the market to identify new needs, demands and opportunities, and come up with a great campaign that helps your brand gain visibility both online and offline and build consumer awareness. Titan Growth notes that a powerful online advertising campaign will generate leads, and your sales team will be in charge of turning those leads into paying customers. By developing relationships with those customers, your sales team will turn one-time buyers into repeat shoppers and loyal brand followers.
 
When Should You Work with a Freelance Sales Agent?
 
When your business is just starting out, you may not want to deal with the payroll and overhead costs that come with hiring a full-time employee. You can try out a free paycheck calculator to get an idea of a full-time employee’s cost. Or maybe you have enough regular business from returning clients, and you just need temporary sales and marketing help at certain periods of the year or when launching a new product or service. If that’s the case, hiring a freelancer will cost you less while bringing in the same ROI as a staff member. And thanks to today’s latest technologies, your sales agent isn’t bound to a desk or office building and can work from anywhere.
 
What are the Pros of Having a Marketing Strategist on Staff?
 
If your business could benefit from having a full-time marketing and communications strategist, consider adding a salaried one to your staff instead of relying on freelancers. You will have a higher degree of control over an employee than over a contract worker, which will help you develop a cohesive branding and marketing strategy on all your advertising media channels and platforms.
 
They can also help develop an eye-catching logo that accurately reflects your company image, branding message, and values. Having them on staff means they’ll be trained and intimately familiar with what you’re all about, meaning brainstorming sessions about your logo is that much more productive. To help generate ideas and even create the logo, they can use an online logo maker and download as a digital file to use on everything from business cards to your website and social media platforms.
 
When your marketing strategist works with you and your team members every day, he or she is able to craft compelling stories about the company and its people and come up with great content for podcasts, blogs, and other online ads that make your brand feel more authentic to shoppers. And by always having a finger on the pulse of your target market’s digital habits, your marketing strategist knows exactly what platforms and what formats work best for your advertising content to reach your audience.
 
Between digital marketing, SEO, blogs, and podcasts, promoting your business has become a full-time job. If you’d rather be dealing with production or R&D, hiring a marketing strategist may be the best way to come up with a great advertising campaign. This expert’s know-how will allow you to reach your target market and gain greater brand awareness.
 
 
At VanHaaren Designs, I provide two different types of business services: Web and Graphic Design. I build custom created websites for either personal or professional use. For Graphic Design I can create custom logos, business cards, some photo editing, invitations, flyers, etc. For more information, please visit my website or contact me today!