*Don't use Homestead. Every Homestead page I've ever seen did not look semi-professional at all. The graphics lay over the text, the text is sloppy, pictures are all over the place. If you want your page to look professional at all, don't use Homestead!!
*Don't overload on graphics & fancy text. When everyone starts out in the tedious task of making a home page, they are so mesmorized by the graphics and spiffy things possible to do with fonts that they lose track of how much of it they are doing. Too many graphics on one single page lengthens loading time. You will lose visitors if it takes too long to load your page. As far as the fancy text goes, if too many things are or every letter is a different color, you are distracting your visitor from your main message, not to mention probably annoying the crap out of them (Did it annoy you? Thought so.). Avoid this at all cost! [Also keep in mind that large pictures are large files & take a long time to load!]
*Don't use too much java. Once again, when the ameteur web designer first discovers Java script they are likely to fill their pages to the brim with this spectacular array of visual effects. We come back to the problem of loading time. Java can take *very* long amounts of time to load! You will lose visitors! It may also be helpful to note that Java script is not compatible with some older browsers. You don't want to lock up your visitor's computer, do you?
*Don't over-use frames. Some people like to use frames to the extent that there are so many as 5 or 6 windows to a page. I will admit that *some* [a very small percentage] of people can pull this off. Most of the time this looks very bad though. Once again, frames are a component of webpage design that can lock up browsers. At the least, try to use tables.
*Don't title your subpages with things that are hard to follow.If you created a subpage about cats and on your main page (where you link to that subpage) you refer to the page as "Jump" no one will understand. Make your links as clear and concise as possible, while still using your creativity. It really is possible!
*Do use a disclaimer! If you think that something in your page may be questionable to the morals of someone else, use a Disclaimer! I know it may sound "corny", but this day in age you NEVER know what could get you in trouble! It's better to keep your back covered. How much time & effort does it take to throw together a disclaimer, anyway?
*Do tell when and what you've updated. One of the most annoying things about viewing a web page on a regular basis is when the webmaster tells you *when* they last updated, but never *what* they updated! Are you supposed to search the entire page only to find that they added a minor graphic to a page that doesn't even semi-interest you?
*Don't used MIDI's everywhere. MIDI's are a part of the annoying list. In my past experience, my MIDI's shut down my frames and annoyed my viewers. In general, MIDI's are a good thing to avoid.
*Keep in mind...Probably the biggest thing to remember is that not everyone's computer settings are the same. Monitors are different sizes, browsers are different, modem speeds are different, java/color & other settings may differ, and most of all: People's tastes differ. Don't take offense to everything people say about your page. Maybe it just doesn't suit their taste.
*This list will grow as I think of more things that urk me, but until then, happy creations to you. ;) Have some advice of your own to add? Email me.