1. FAST LOAD TIME
Users will not wait. You have about 10-seconds to catch and keep a visitor. Your home page should load quickly. Ensure this by keeping graphic files small, backgrounds simple and by using height and width tags with every graphic. The height/width tags will force the text to load first giving the user something to read while the graphics load. It is also a good idea to use ALT tags with the graphic tag so that the graphic is identified to the user while it loads.
 

2.  BROWSER FRIENDLINESS
There are many different browsers in use. Ensure your home page is friendly to all of them. Do this by keeping your page simple and if you are using frames, tables, image maps and other enhancements, ensure you have an alternate page available for browsers that cannot display the enhancements.

3.  A CLEAR AND ORGANIZED MESSAGE
The user should be immediately presented with a description of your site ... what it's for and what's in it. Also, make it easy for the user to navigate your site. For example, make certain there is always an obvious way to return to the home page from anywhere within your site.

4.  COMPLETE META TAGS
These html tags are used to define the name and content of you site. Proper use of META tags will ensure that some important (large) search engines can find and properly index your site. Also ensure each webpage is property "titled" within the header tags.

5. UPDATE FREQUENTLY. INCLUDE A BLOG
Ensure that visitors will return to your site by constantly updating its content. This cannot be stressed enough - a static site will not grow.

6.  ASK FOR FEEDBACK
Make it easy for a visitor to e-mail you comments.

7. RELEVANT CONTENT
Your site must say something, teach something, and provide valuable useful information. This is the most important element of any successful website. Furthermore, this information must be dynamic - kept up to date and always changing.

8. EASY WEBSITE NAVIGATION
 It must be easy to find anything within your site and it should not be possible to "get lost." It is amazing how many websites ignore this important element of website design.

That's about it. You can build a successful website if you pay attention to what has worked for others. All you have to lose without a website are sales! Think about it.