A good web design is one which is easy to use, easy to navigate, easy to understand and read, and also attractive. By attractive we don't imply that you need to put in lots of graphics and animations. The vital point to keep in mind is that the site should not be cluttered with too many things as it can take the focus away from your content which is what you are trying to convey.

It's a never ending debate between which is more important: web design or content. Many people feel the content of the website is the main part, while others believe that the design of the site itself holds the most importance. The real answer is that both are equally important to build a successful website.

Good website design is important for getting visitors to read what you have to say, and the first impression of that design is the most important. Without a good design, many visitors to your site will not even look at the content, and if the content is lacking, visitors may never return.

Planning of a website design before starting up your web project is highly important. The target audience and scope of the website content should be taken into account before deciding on a website template.

A website aimed at business executives for instance needs to look clean and simple in its design, and needs to be presented professionally. But if you're making a site for children, the design needs to have vibrant graphics and maybe even sound and animation.

Accordingly, you need to give appropriate importance to the browser and settings you are designing your site for. Any website which incorporates horizontal scrolling is difficult to navigate and not liked by many people, thus you may be alienating a large percent of your potential traffic. Cross browser compatibility is another matter to be looked into during the planning stage. Also try to remember to keep the design consistent between the different pages of the site.

Carefully incorporate colors and pictures or drawings in the design of your website. Background colors and color palettes can have a subtle effect on the attractiveness and utility of your web site. For example, using a neutral or white background lends a somewhat more professional appeal for business websites and allows for experimentation with various multi-hued designs. SEO and search engine submissions considerations are also paramount.