Why is Web Design Important?
Designing for the web is a skill that can take years to master and not something that comes free with a copy of Photoshop.
Your website is a representation of not just the look of your company but also the way the company works. With a visitor having a successful time researching your company on your website there is a confidence in them that your company will be the same. In the contrary if it were difficult to navigate, explore, and retrieve necessary information there is a high chance that the visitor will leave before you ever new they were there.
When building a website the web designer must consider two things: the user and the search engines. If only one or neither are considered the website is headed for Disaster!
Building A User Friendly Site (a.k.a. usability)
Step 1: Create a clear visual hierchy
Step 2: Use web conventions
Step 3: Break up pages into clearly defined areas
Step 4: Make it obvious what's clickable
Step 5: Keep the noise down to a dull roar
To learn more about usability or what these steps mean contant Biles Online
Building A Search Engine Friendly Site (a.k.a. seo)
Step 1: Create a sitemap
Step 2: WRITE!
Step 3: Submit
Step 4: Wait.
Step 5: And write some more!
*content provided by Wikipedia