One of the toughest challenges facing any designer is the web page. There are perhaps millions of pages in the World Wide Web all jostling for attention. The question that is foremost is how you as a designer can make a difference.
Study the subject being featured. Visit as many sites as possible that cover the same as well as related topics. Make a list of what works and what doesnt. Avoid using a design that is going to be uniform with others. Unless your pages are distinctive they are not going to work.
1. Try and avoid run of the mill things like page counters, java text scrolling, flashing images, GIF images, signs which say we are not ready. Or, too many illustrations or animations, black grounds or fade ins.
2. Create a design which coveys in a stylish way what it has to. Instead of using downloaded illustrations use original ones.
3. Avoid things like heavy files or graphics. These will slow down your pages. GIF is better than JPEG files.
4. Think of the target audience and subject being addressed when designing. The overall effect should be that of exclusivity.
5. Avoid incorporating download plugins. While Flash is...