1. Buy a top-level domain. .com, .net, .org, .info, etc. "Free" domains (.tk being the worst, .co.nr, .co.cc, etc.) look crappy, and build literally no site ranking or search engine ranking.
2. Stay away from frames, and tables for designing sites. These build bad habits and are horrible with cross-browser compatibility (otherwise known as web standards).
3. Learn, use, and apply CSS. CSS is the most powerful design element structure to ever be created, anything is virtually possible if you know what you're doing.
4. NEVER use animations, with the exception of hover buttons, even then it must not bee too subtle. Flashing animations, scrolling banners, etc. are all TERRIBLE and unprofessional.
5. Make colors match, and be careful with gradients. Your site shouldn't look like neon / florescent clothing from the 80's. As for gradients, they must be LIGHT, too many times people take drastic gradients from, say, purple to white, that NEVER looks good. If anything, it should go from purple to a lighter shade of purple.
6. Use proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation. This one is a MUST if you want to be a professional site / business. Nobody wants to see, "hear at my company u cna get the latest product!!!!"
7. Place your CSS elements in a separate CSS file. This ensures that each page will look the same (unless you define otherwise), and being as CSS is cached in your browser from said file, your site will load quicker.
8. Take it easy on the gloss. A lot of people like the "Web 2.0" look, which basically is misinterpreted as glossy pictures that are shiny and whatnot. This is the #1 issue with people who are starting out in web development, they all make their sites look like a shiny piece of plastic.
9. Make your site easily navigational. Horizontal menu bars are always preferred as opposed to vertical menu bars. NEVER and I repeat NEVER make a menu that follows down as you scroll down a page, these are the most annoying, and generally considered one of the most unprofessional design structures.
10. Know your limits. Don't say to yourself that you will develop the next Yahoo or MSN, or even TGC. Chances are if you say this to yourself, you'll find it's time consuming and isn't easy, so you'll get discouraged and give up. Start slow, take your time, and learn. Ask questions. Many web developers are nice and often are willing to help starters, as we're a kind-nature people.
I just now realized I've had a typo in my signature for the past 3 years.
