My blog designer Nate Whitehill, one of the mad geniuses behind UniqueBlogDesigns.com, has enjoyed the experience of working with me on a few tweaks to my blog design during the last few days.
I can be a bit pedantic with changes, so I have to thank Nate for his patience. Here’s a snapshot of my blog header, which is where most of the changes have occurred –
If you’re not reading this blog post at my blog, for example in an RSS reader, and you want a look at the site live you can go here -
http://www.entrepreneurs-journey.com
Why The Changes
Although blog design will never be as important as content, often as a blogger you personally are more excited to write to your blog when it’s uniquely yours, and a unique design certainly gives you this feeling.
Making changes to your design is like rearranging the layout of your furniture at home. It’s not quite the same as living in a new house, but it’s still refreshing and exciting.
Of course you don’t make changes to your blog without purpose, and most of the changes we implemented over the last few days were to enhance and simplify the core elements of the hottest area of my site.
Many years ago Google released this heat map to help webmasters understand what areas of their site receives the most attention, and thus represents the best locations to maximize advertising clicks.
You can find more in-depth heat maps here: Google Heat Map Revisited
The darker colored areas receive more attention, so you should optimize your design so you have the most important elements in the “hottest” part of your site.
The heat map was designed for AdSense users, who followed it by placing adsense ad units in the hottest areas of the site to increase revenue. In my case, and likely in yours too if you’re doing things like building email lists and establishing authority in just one niche, then you want to use the hot spots for your most important call to action. For me, that is my email opt-in for my blog tips newsletter and Blog Profits Blueprint report.
The changes we just made were a slight rejig to move the opt-in from the right sidebar on the homepage, to the hottest area of the site, the left-center area. Over the next few months I’ll be able to see if this increases the opt-ins this blog generates.
Simplification
One thing I strive for online is simplicity. I’m always conscious that I need to meet the needs of a reader who is likely very confused and is coming into my world lacking a basic understanding of some concepts that I take for granted.
The more you can do to clearly guide your readers and highlight important parts of your blog, without creating confusion and bombarding your readers with too many choices, the better.
Here are some tips you can apply, and which I’m constantly applying, to help keep your blog design as simple as possible, and thus get the results you want –
- Use large fonts. Too many blogs I see have a tiny font, or crowd too many words together, which only serves to create a “blur” that no one reads. If your blog right now has a small font, I recommend you increase it.
- Make generous use of “whitespace” or space in general. The opposite of that “blur” effect when you put too much together, is to create a lot of space around the content, which serves to emphasize the content.
- Don’t ask your readers to do too much. I’m struggling a little to adhere to this one, asking my readers to join my list, subscribe to my RSS feed, follow me on Twitter and Facebook and subscribe to blog updates via email as well. I’m happy that I can clearly identify each of these elements, and emphasize the most important one (the blueprint opt-in), but it is making my blog a little cluttered.
- Mix in different colors, borders, and images. Images are very powerful tools to capture attention, especially pictures of people, and along with graphic icons, and elements with borders and contrasting colors, creates a division between each content area.
- Use multimedia where appropriate. Adding a video to your layout creates a level of interactivity that captures attention, and allows you to convey a message using words and pictures without cluttering up your design.
Nate and I haven’t quite finished the job yet, but the main changes are in place. We are also setting up the hosting of this site to take advantage of a Content Delivery Network, which is a form of hosting that distributes your site across multiple servers. This should speed up load time and stability. You can read John Chow’s write-up about how this works for more details.
Yaro Starak
Blog Tweaker
NIce work, as usual, Yaro!
Just another reminder that one of these days I need to update my theme. I really need to stop working with a theme that I originally got for WordPress v1.5…the original designer’s website isn’t even registered anymore. (Not that the theme much resembles the original design anymore, but still…)
Hey Yaro,
I was a bit surprised when I saw the change at first, as I was modelling off your site two days ago, and then when I came back it look different!
I agree, this change will most definitely increase your opt-ins and I will be modelling off this idea too!
Can’t wait to see what the other changes are going to be…
Yaro,
I’ve been following your blog for a few months now and I like the new design. It’s different and new and refreshing a bit and that always brightens up things. I like how you have your courses outlined on the right hand side and you have things more in the top middle as your video, and ways of following you and such.
Bottom line, it’s easy to understand and navigate and I really like it.
Great work to both of you!
Great post, I really liked the Google Heat Maps … for those of you using the default “Thesis” Theme (me included, on one of my blogs) the placement of the RSS link (upper-right) is terrible!
I really do like your, rss, twitter, facebook, subscribe box … looks good, clear, easy to understand!
As always, it was a pleasure working with you, Yaro! The changes look great and will definitely increase the defined conversions of your blog!
Cheers,
Nate
Hey, Yaro!
If were to give an honest feedback I’d say it just it look a little toooo much of everything… I would go with a more minimalistic version. But that’s from aesthetic point of view. Probably, this one just sells better.
Maxim, I’ve thought the same thing and I really appreciate blogs that are very minimalist.
I have some many goals with my blog it is tough at times to not include something, so finding a way to balance and highlight without cluttering is a challenge.
Very well put, Yaro! You do have a lot to offer, and the primary task of your blog is to promote your offerings, after all. While we are on the subject of simplicity, I must say that Neil Patel’s Quicksprout offering really stands out for me insofar as simplicity is concerned.
Hehe, I was a bit caught out by the changes at first too, but I like ‘em!
Till then,
Jean
Your Message
Your most recent design update looks very clean, Yaro. The font size issue is a huge one for me – I really can’t stand to read “mouseprint” blogs anymore.
As to asking our readers to do too much – what can we do? For social media network invitations, maybe the “icon only” route, since that will take up the least amount of space. I can’t decide.
But in any case, I love that you’re keeping your Blog fresh! It looks great.
Less is more. But when we have so much to show, it’s very difficult
I have always told my customers that they need to keep things as simple as possible when they start out doing anything. The main reason for that, is it keeps problems at a minimum, you can always improve your design, add extras and polish it later.
Yaro, the first time I read your blog about a year ago, i quickly signed up to receive the Blog Profits Blueprint. I think moving it up to the left makes it more visible and gives more people the opportunity to see what your blog is about and to opt in. It is above the fold, and it is in your face. It’s the perfect position for a call to action.
I’ts a great post, and something I will definitely look at implementing on my own blogs.
Keep up the good work!!
Hey Yaro,
I’ve never give attention to the font size!, I will apply some of the tips on my new blog,
and let me ask a question for people who know:
Is there any connection between alexa rank and google rank?
that’s to say, if i optimize my site for alexa rank (lets say, by running adsense campaign, something that never effect on google rank) , google algorithms takes into account alexa ranking or not?
Yaro,
I’d be intersted what kind of impact moving your blueprint opt-in has on your conversion rates. Were you not tempted to do a split-test first?
I decided to bite the bullet on my new blog when it comes to focusing on one call to action and not even include my Twitter and Facebook links until people have subscribed to my newsletter, but it’s an ever-changing field I guess.
With changes like this I don’t think it is always necessary to do split testing. When others have already done research to create things like page heat maps, you can be pretty sure when moving page elements around can help. Of course, he can always try switching back if conversion rates do not improve as expected. I think split testing is more for small changes where you are not quite sure what the impact will be.
Nice tweaks, I really adore your blog design.. It just… lovely (pardon my 40′s term) – Can you tell us the difference? What are the new conversion rates?
Yaro, thank you so much for all the valuable info you share.
had the opt in at the right sie when the rule is we scan a site in an Fshape…. I was about to do it as you just because you must know 
Now that you have changed I have no doubt anymore. Just one (well….) Did you use Thesis?
I am taking baby steps to build my blog and actually I was wondering why nearly everybody and also the pros
Much success and fun from Spain,
Maroa
Yaro!!!
Nice changes to the design. Finding a balance in the design is indeed necessary. And seems to me you have done an awesome job.
Your new blog design looks much sharper. Change is good. Nice job.
I think change is good every once in awhile! Nice blog design!
I like the blog design Yaro and I like the changes that you’ve made. I recently have made an update to my blog after watching and reading your recent blog about explaining the purpose of your blog. That blog was a learning experience for me and was the catalyst to the recent changes I made on my blog.
Thank you, Yaro, for constantly providing valuable content!
Jarrod
At the risk of getting lambasted can I say, that I honestly DON’T like the re-design. Let me preface this with saying that you Yaro, of all the internet marketers out there, and I’m not saying this to kiss ass and get some attention, I listen, read and absorb almost everything you say, as you come across as honest, helpful, and genuine. I started with the Frank Kern’s, and all the other aggressive hucksters, and you have been a breath of fresh air to the whole thing.
But the new design to me is TOO grabby, and too dominant in the “give me your info” and all the list building services and social medias etc. On the front page, you can’t even see any content. I can’t breathe, I feel like I’m suffocating, and I just want to run outside and climb a mountain, get some air and relax…
Of course, you ARE making $20,000+ month and I’m, well, (just beginning).
Much Respect,
Ken
I too am a big fan! But I would fall into the Ken L. camp too…the eye is immediately drawn to the blueprint and the request to sign up…in my mind that should be step 2 after proving you have some value to deliver. Its back to the idea of good copy and the right order of things…somewhat akin to taking people on a date before going for the close…
I didn’t have the urge to climb a mountain but the new site does remind me somewhat of the billboards in Broadway or Piccadilly Circus…to much ‘going on’…
Hope that’s helpful and its nice to give back a little (even if I’m not 100% agreeing with you…)
Andrew
Hi Yaro,
Some observations:
1. Last week I bought your Blog Mastermind product (a lot of hard work went into this, it’s really terrific) BUT I had such as hard time finding it on your homepage. Maybe I’m blind but I just didn’t see it. In the next design, could you add a Shop to the top nav menu? Then I know that’s where his products are!
2. The Facebook icon looks a bit like the Swiss flag (in blue!) or a cross. The F has been slightly beheaded. What’s the green plus sign for?
3. Maybe consolidate the About Yaros & About this Blog & About into one page.
4. Click to Contribute link (under title) doesn’t work in Firefox
5. Rotating Image top of page – maybe consider adding an image of your students, customers etc and not just you. Why? I think at some point you need to make the site more about EJ and less about Yaro. If you did, then maybe you’d get more community involvement. Also, many B list bloggers are aping this idea (world trip) and you may need to stay one step ahead of them. What Darren does at DPS might be worth exploring re community.
And, again, delighted to have bought the course.
Ivan
I can say I like your tweaked design. One thing I really admire in your blog is the spacing and typography. A lot of blog in this space are way too cluttered, either they do have tons of ads or just crap.
Everytime I visit your blog, I always feel Im in a different niche and I think the big font is working well for you too.
Yaro, hold it.
Don’t worry, your blog redesign is fine. And yes, maybe even more people will opt in. But that is small change compared with one HUGE factor: The blog is still about YOU and your personality. The day that changes … I’m outa here.
Keep your blog about YOU Yaro. That’s why I keep returning.
Jonathan Gunson
Luuuuuuuv the new look, really cool! Nice & neat.
Thanks for the tips Yaro. I was guilty of the tiny font offense! I’ve just been and changed it and also the line height to almost the same as yours so hopefully it’s a welcome relief for my blog readers!
The heat map is interesting indeed. Looks like I have some work to do with maximising that top left area of my blog too.
I like the new look here and even though there is a lot around the edges it never detracts from your content.
I had no clue about heat maps. I’m going to re-do mine now. Thanks for the post.
Absolutely indispensable information regarding heat maps that so few know about. To this day studies back up what you show in the article today.
The new looks suits the site well, it feels far easier to navigate around now and the ‘actionable items’ are simpler to decipher – good going whomever designed it
Nice job Yaro!
We need to keep the website simple, beautiful and the most important “make it work”
Best Regards
Honestly I think this is one of the best blog designs on the net right now, great work on the revamp… those guys at UBD know what they are doing
Its a change for good. Nice new layout here Yaro! Great spacing and much clearer and readable font you have now!
I think search engine also appreciate not only the unique content but also the unique design
I wanted to say THANK YOU with more than words so I decided to create a logo for him. No, I didn’t design his entire theme but I did make a logo and a little image that he could just add with some code. Go check it out for yourself.
That’s one thing I haven’t thought about…using larger fonts. I’m starting to see small shifts in blogging where experienced bloggers are moving toward simpler designs to help readers focus on content.
While at the same time taking advantage of where readers are most likely to click.
This post reminds us how website design is usually an ongoing process that is never quite complete. There is always something else that can be changed and tested. To get best conversion rates, you don’t want to put up a design and just leave it. You have to analyze how your visitors are interacting with the site and modify accordingly. It is nearly impossible to create the best converting website design on the first try.
great post Yaro, that has helped me out a lot! I am anew blogger myself and have opted in for your report and weekly emails.
I have had my main blog since Dec 2009 and as yet not earning a full time income from it so have to make do with free themes.
My blog has gone through many themes and for 1 reason or another I have not been happy with them. The current one is better and have tweaked it myself with little graphics I have created in photoshop.
These past few weeks I have neglected searching for a theme that I am happy with and concentrated more on developing my free eBook on blogging, which is now finished! so am back on concentrating on my look!
My current theme I am quite happy with but the problem with this one is that 1 It creates huge spaces around my posts that I cannot get my head round and get rid of or fill up, and 2 I really dont like my footer!
Of course I dont want to keep changing my theme but I do want to find 1 similar to the one I have but with none of the problems mentioned above and a large footer.
I would love any advice or links to some themes you (or your readers) think would benefit my blog!
many Thanks Yaro and a great post.
-Phillip Dews
i luv the new changes
)
I’ve been following your blog for a few years now, and I recall how impressed I was when you changed the design a year or so ago (I think).
I personally appreciate the large font, and the simplistic look/feel of this new design. Although there are many items it is organized very well.
To change something that has served one well is a heart breaking decision and I admire you for being able to do it. Please accept my compliments on a very attractive post too.
To use large fonts is probably the most important part (I think). May web site owners try to be cute or think it looks nice if the font is unreadable.(A lot of blogs are actually not worth reading, but that’s a different story.)
Anyhow, I like large and easy to read fonts.
PS:
I hope you don’t mind that I write so many comments. I read your blog since 3 years or so and finally I decided to write something today.
Yaro, the new design looks great!
I have recently purchased the Thesis Theme and tweaked it a little, however would love the chance in the future to have a really unique design such as yours.
About your point regarding asking too much of users. I see it as providing options to people. Some like FB, others prefer Twitter and some will sign up and friend everything.
Depending on the site, this can be a great opportunity to the reader. A site offering help and information is valuable, so why not add it to your RSS and follow on Twitter?…
Cemil
great changes…
sometime a little bit tweaks goes a long way…
Hi Yaro,
I also observed that most of internet users they’re always looking in the left side of the site they’re visiting that’s why it’s important to place an ad there.
Hi I always knew that there are specific places in pages that people really have most of their attention. It’s the same as in supermarkets where there are places where managers put the products they want to sell.
Your picture had to be changed with the recent change in hairstyle too, so we know why you really had to tweak your blog design, Yaro
Jokes aside, you make some really good points, ones I will definitely keep in mind with my current project I am looking at initiating. Thanks bro.
Hi Yaro,
Is this theme based off of Thesis and you got the guys to make design tweaks? Or is it a totally custom theme from UBD?
Thanks!
~Sean
Totally custom Sean, and I think the UBD boys would go with Affiliate theme or one of their other premium themes over thesis, since they made it
Thank you very much Yaro, for all the valuable tips. Especialy for the heat map!
As for me, keyword focussed content is the king but I can’t disregard the importance of clear and simple design.
Thanks again.
Is this theme based off of Thesis and you got the guys to make design tweaks? Or is it a totally custom theme from UBD?
A totally custom UBD theme.
Heatmaps is a great way to track where ads should be placed so that they get noticed by visitors. Thanks for reminding me about the heatmaps I had totally forgotten about them.
It’s as you are saying. A theme-design isn’t the most important thing . . . but it’s still important at complementing great content.
I love the advice you are giving there. I think all of them are very tiny tidbits bloggers tend to forget. You mentioned i.e. to use bigger fonts and to use more space around your sentence structures or columns. I agree. I mean: It’s a blog. It’s not a magazine or newspaper limited on physical paper.
The other thing what a lot of bloggers tend to do is that their blogs sometimes looks a bit too cluttered. This may appear as if their content apart from their ads beside it, look less. Not to mention ads that seem too much disturbing.
Personally, I think your blog is much appealing to a reader seeing to it that you don’t have any of those disturbing moving objects on your site. You always have insightful articles that are more on piece of paper than typical 500-worded “just content” articles.