Our "Website Website"

Do you have a 3rd-class looking website that should be representing your 1st-class organization? Feel like your site is nothing more than a stagnant, online brochure that isn’t reaching potential customers? Are you neglecting an ongoing online marketing campaign because of a bloated inbox and a thousand items on your to-do list? We have a solution. Really. We offer a unique approach to website marketing that will help turn your vision into reality.

Living Water Websites is Van Wyk Design’s website design and development business. We believe that the success of any project—whether it be a backyard swingset or a bridge across the Hudson River, is dependent upon the process by which it is completed. Let us show you how our unique 3-step process can meet your online communication goals by “Discovering”, “Creating”, and “Empowering.” This “first things first” approach comes from years of experience in what leads to long-term success in online marketing.

Learn more about our 3-step process here.

Discover
The first step in the journey towards a branded, active, and lucrative website marketing campaign is to DISCOVER who you are, where you want to go, and how you are going to get there. Just as a home’s foundation is its most important part, this preliminary work will ensure that the website we create for you will be tailored to your individual needs and relevant to your future. Learn more about Discover here.

Create
Step two is when we CREATE your website. We develop a simple plan, helping you assemble all of the content that we need to include in your new site. This is the phase where we begin copywriting. We design your site’s graphics and architecture. After you are delighted with the design, we will program your site. After all of the content is placed into your new site it is made live! Learn more about Create here.

Empower
During step three we will EMPOWER you to achieve your goals. Search around and you’ll find a million cookie-cutter “website builders” out there. Living Water Websites are different. Our follow-through system includes monthly consulting, ongoing goal reviews, and frequent site updates. You get to focus on your expertise while leaving the specialized job of online marketing to us. Learn more about Empower here.

Website Features
All Living Water Websites include every feature you see here. Let us demonstrate how you quickly and easily create a new page, add any of these elements to it, and publish it—all in minutes.

How Superman saved me from the blues.

OK. I have to admit it. I’ve been in a funk lately. Fear mostly. Isn’t it always? And then yesterday came along. Just an afternoon of relaxation at Fiesta Texas, I thought. Perhaps we’d ride the log ride. That’s always a thrill (yeah right.)

And then a thought came out of nowhere. Step out of your comfort zone.

I, Joe Van Wyk, rode Superman and here is the photo to prove it. See the look on my face? That’s a hell-bent determination to not get sick!

At 16 stories tall and 70 MPH, Superman is a 3 minute and 20 second cure for depression.

So, what is the profound wisdom of this story? Here goes: The next time you’re feeling the blues. The next time sales are off and you’re wondering if you’re going to make it. The next time people won’t behave and life has you down, do this: go to Fiesta Texas, hop on this ride, and stare that fear down until it runs away squealing. I guarantee you that for 200 seconds, you’ll think of nothing other than AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!

Here are a couple of YouTube links (not our videos) that give some idea of what it’s like to ride this amazing roller coaster.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qA5tbur9O_Y
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDZ5xg_HI9E

"Reel in" customers with great design.

Imagine two fishermen. Fisherman #1 wakes up early and heads for the coast with a well-maintained boat, a new fishing pole, and a tackle box full of the best lures and gear.

Fisherman #2 wakes up late with a hangover, has to fix his broken-down pickup truck before he can tow his broken-down boat all the way to the coast. He figures he will find some frozen bait somewhere. On his way south, he forgets that his rod and reel are still hanging up in the shed.

Question: Who’s gonna catch the fish?
Question: Which fisherman are you?

So, here is the point of this funny analogy: When fishing, being organized, prepared, and outfitted with the gear you need is mighty important. And, our business is no different.

We have been busy this year launching a number of combined website/email campaigns for growing small businesses. These custom-designed websites and email templates are created in a way that makes them easy and economical to update by your organization. And, best of all, they are such a bargain that your return on investment will be rapid.

Great design and effective tools for communication are no longer a luxury. Your customers need to know what’s happening with your excellent organization.

At Van Wyk Design, we can outfit you with a simple and systematic approach toward online marketing.

Ready to go fishing?

—Joe Van Wyk

Recovery through Music.

It was a rewarding experience to design these two album covers for the Good For The Soul Music’s “12—Healing Songs For Recovery.”

Click here to listen to samples of the Twelve project.

David Kauffman, the recording artist behind this project, had this to say about “12—Healing Songs For Recovery”:

YESTERDAY
In the late 1930s, the twelve step program was born. It was developed by Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith, and is based on the work of its predecessors, the Oxford Groups in England.

Millions have benefitted from the program which uses 12 unique steps for healing and recovery from addiction.

TODAY
David Kauffman, a composer touched deeply by addiction, began writing songs to help him heal over 10 years ago. The writings have culminated in his new collection called 12—Healing Songs For Recovery. It has helped thousands of individuals and families so far. A companion collection titled, 12—Healing Songs For Women In Recovery is also available. It takes into account the different ways women and men hear and heal.

TOMORROW
David works with Immaculata Santee, a counselor and recovery expert for insight, wisdom, and courage to write these songs based on his own family of origin. Together David and Immaculata will publish blog entries on this website periodically. Each entry will connect to a song and include a story, some wisdom, and a graphic exercise. Join our mailing list to receive updates.

TIMELESS
David credits Linda Engelbrecht, counselor and friend, for her original insight and wisdom. Years ago, in a counseling session, she asked him the question that inspired these songs: “Are You Enough?”

Sample all songs in the upper right of this page. They are all available to download from all popular music sites like iTunes, Amazon, and others.

May this music, this website, and these blog entries help you heal, and answer the question “Are You Enough?” with a simple, peaceful, “Yes!”

Superb Salmon.

Our clients at Cedar Plank Spices were looking to add a complete graphic identity to their line of cedar plank spice kits for fish and poultry. We were able to incorporate woodgrain and earthtone colors in their logo. This look and feel has been applied to business cards, packaging, and their e-commerce website.