Asking if design makes a difference is kind of a silly question. We know it makes a difference. Using A/B testing, or even just by changing one element at a time, we can measure improvements in things like conversion ratios or download rates.
Of course, to measure if each part of your design is effective, you have to change it in isolation. I wouldn't surprised if there are elements of the new Wordpress site that decrease conversion, as well as some which are increasing it. If the design had been iterated on, instead of just rolling out the new design, we might know which elements should have been changed to create better results.
Of course, to measure if each part of your design is effective, you have to change it in isolation. I wouldn't surprised if there are elements of the new Wordpress site that decrease conversion, as well as some which are increasing it. If the design had been iterated on, instead of just rolling out the new design, we might know which elements should have been changed to create better results.