When designing a website, or paying someone to create one, you should have at least one thing in mind: usability. Even if a website looks great, if it confuses us, we will leave (and probably not be back). Most of our browsing sessions are limited to a short time span, browsing at will until we find something that scratches our itch. Here’s a diagram from the book Don’t Make Me Think by Steve Krug:

How We Really Use The Web - Steve Krug

It’s something that can be lost after countless hours designing the perfect “looking” website, while forgetting the basics or the point of a website. Remember this key fact when developing your website and in your discussions with your web designer.

On a side note, I highly recommend Steve Krug’s book for any business owner, web designer, or anyone involved in the industry (plus it’s a quick read).