Faster Loading Pages:
An average page, without the graphics, should not load in more than 4 to 7 seconds. Notice that I said the content of the page, not the graphics.
Once the page loads showing the overall design, the graphics should load in no more than 9 seconds. So, in total, it should take around 15 seconds.
A good example is Yahoo.com. Their main page loads in 8 seconds on a 28.8k modem. To reduce the amount of time a page takes to load you need to get rid of the extra things that do not add or help the overall content of the page. For example, don't put extra flashy animations, bright backgrounds, bars, more than three banners on a page, etc. Most users on the internet are looking for pages that have an 'Ok' design and GREAT content. I know that's very hard to do, since most subjects with great content are on the internet already, but there is always a few not taken :)
Also, reduce the size of your images! Many images look the same even when you reduce half the colors it uses. That menu bar on the top of this page, originally had 57 colors, and I reduced it to 5 colors only. The 'Cool Archive' picture on the top, how many colors do you think it's using? It uses around 50 colors, anything less and it looks bad. If you don't have any programs to reduce the colors of your images, use Paint Shop Pro or Photoshop (you can get them from the utilities section.)
Better Looking Pages:
Firstly, never ever put more than three banners on a page, I mean, who the heck wants to see so many banners on one page! I have seen hundreds of pages that show very little content and with two banners on the top and three banners on the bottom of the page.
Secondly, don't put graphic backgrounds unless you absolutely have to. Colored graphic backgrounds hurt the eyes and make it harder for the users to read the text. That's one of the reasons I don't give backgrounds on this site.
Thirdly, try to skip the black colored background, UNLESS your site has something to do with gothic, mystery, horror, a movie, Satanism, or something similar. During the past few years users on the internet have been thinking that black backgrounds are "cool." There is really no need for a black background on a page that can show the same with a white background.
Easier to Navigate Pages:
Your pages should be smooth. They should have the same overall design throughout the site. Don't use an excess of tables or frames. Use colors that are easy on the eyes, nothing of bright colors. Also, don't suddenly jump from a page with black backgrounds and dark colors to a super bright white page, that really gets the visitor. Provide help on section that might be hard to understand. Give the visitor a number of options once they enter your page, but don't go over board. Create menus and submenus, don't put everything on one big huge menu. Try not to encourage the user to click on banners and such, no one likes it. Instead of saying something like 'Click on our sponsors', say 'Please visit our sponsors'. Try to put yourself in the eyes of the visitor, see what things might they like, what things you hate to see on a page, etc. Try to act personal when you are explain something in text, not like a book. Overall, try to show the visitor that your page is worthwhile checking and they should come back again in the future.
In conclusion, to have better, faster, and easier to navigate pages:
Don't put excess animations or images.
Don't use backgrounds.
Put good content.
Don't go over three banners in a page.
Skip using black backgrounds.
Reduce the size of your images by reducing the number of colors in them.
Use the same design on all the pages on your site.
Don't use an excess of tables or frames.
Organize your menus and submenus accordingly.
Try to write in a personal way, like you know the visitor.
Put yourself in the eyes of the visitor and see what things you don't like
Good examples of nice pages are CNN, ABC news, and Amazon.
