Images: Images are important and break the monotony of just text. However, abuse of image all over the page is annoying and defeats the purpose. It should be Minimum and appropriate. It should be used for clarifying or to illustrate is good and recommended. Keep it to a minimum of three per page
Links: Do not over do links. It loses its importance and purpose. Blue is the traditional color of links. It is better to leave it as blue. Underline not to underline links depends on the design and purpose of the link. Under line is again tradition and more people are used to it. Click here is not necessary when you underline.
Do not underline any other text if it is not a link. This will confuse people. Check for dead links. They reflect negatively. Link opening in new window or same window is essential for user friendliness. Some people prefer new window. Internal links should be within the same window and external can be new window
Banners: Avoid use of banner. Those days are gone. If you must use a banner, just one keeps it to the bottom of the page. Any unwanted animation in the middle of the page will distract the reader. Avoid it.
Text: must be readable. The test size must be medium not too small or too big. For space sake, do not make it small. Anyway, reading on the internet is minimal. Scanning is what if prevalent. Color of text traditionally is black, blue, or gray.
Menus: This provide menu for all pages if possible in your design. You will increase exposure to all parts of the site through menus. Menu also increase user maneuver.
Home page: It provides a link to home page on every single page regardless of the entire menu or not. People should be able to get back to where they started that is your home page.
Background color: People are using fancy dark or ugly background colors and background images. Please avoid it all together. Make it pleasing and inviting. It should be clear. Therefore, white is the best background color and avoid background images on all pages.
About me Page: You must have an about me a page. People should be able to know who you are. Tell them about yourself. It need not be a biography. It should be a short author or owner bio. This brings credibility to your site.
Contact Page: Contact information adds to your credibility. You can give you full mailing address and telephone number along with an email dedicated for your website. Yes, I know there is spam issue with email listing. It is not that bad. You can still manage it.
Terms and conditions: You need to have Copyright, terms, and conditions on your page. People can sue you or get you into trouble if do not have a terms of usage policy in place. You can get one from the web that others are using and customize it for your site. Put a copyright line at the bottom of all the pages.
