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Above the Fold: DaveOlson.ca

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What Might a Few Tweaks Do for You?

ABOVE THE FOLD

Dave Olson and I were having an email conversation. We were discussing the state of the blogosphere and other important world-saving, super-hero stuff, when in the middle he said this.

I’m wondering if you might be able to help me out. I paid attention when you highlighted my post last week and you said:

“Bet you can apply that to design, branding, and marketing your blog”

I’ve posted an article asking for some feedback on the design and branding of my site. I would really appreciate it if you had a few minutes that you could take a look at it and give me any feedback you might have.

So I invited Dave to get tweaked Above the Fold.

Here’s how the Above the Fold Tweak Process works.

  1. I make a “before” screenshot.
  2. We talk through some changes for readability.
  3. The blogger makes the changes.
  4. We talk while the tweaks are in process.
  5. I take an “after” screenshot and share the results in a post.

Tweaking DaveOlson.ca

The blog: DaveOlson.ca

URL: http://www.daveolson.ca
Blogger: Dave Olson

Before

This is the before shot of Dave’s blog that I took on the day that we tweaked his blog. Click to enlarge.

DaveOlson.ca BEFORE

Three Tweaks that We Agreed Upon

In this series, we concentrate only three important tweaks for each blog that is featured. These are the tweaks that Dave and I agreed upon.

  1. We’d change the main type face to serif.
  2. We’d change the color of the links in the sidebar.
  3. We’d adjust the spacing of the headings.

We made other changes. Can you see them?

For the results, turn the page now.

After Tweaking DaveOlson.ca

This is DaveOlson.ca now. Click to enlarge.

DaveOlson.ca AFTER

Dave’s Turn to Talk

Dave, tell us about your blog.

My blog really started off as an experiment to see if I could improve my writing skills. As I meet so many great people in the blogosphere, I’m finding it’s more about relationships, connecting and learning together. The theme is primarily personal growth but that branches into money, relationships, self-discipline and such.

What advice do you think made the most difference? In what way?

Probably the changes we made with the fonts. By changing the size and face of the main font it became a lot easier to read. Changing the colour of the links in the sidebar and the fonts size also really helped.

Actually we tweaked quite a lot. It keep me going for a few days after we talked, trying to see things from a readers perspective. So even though the site kinda looks the same, it feels different. In a good way.

How have your readers responded to the changes?

Any comments I’ve received have mentioned the increased font size. I’ve also seen a slight increase in traffic, especially more return traffic than before. As well there’s actually more subscribers by about 10%.

Remember we only committed to three tweaks in this process. But three tweaks can sure make a difference!

The best part always is getting to know the blogger! Hey, Dave, thanks for letting me be part of your blog’s transformation. The conversation was definitely a benefit. My regards to your boss.

Other folks had input on little tweaks on Dave’s blog. He’s got it to where he’s seems happy with it.

Anyone want to offer Dave a word or two moving forward?

–ME “Liz” Strauss

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