Make it easy to navigate. Avoid multiple frames. Include a search on your site once it gets large. Have one area that lists links to other sites. Too many graphics.
Graphics definitely enhance a page but be careful on the number of graphics and size.
Keep it down to 2 graphics per page and 8 KB in size. Hard to read. Avoid black backgrounds with blue text like the plague. A white background may seem plain but it can be brightened up with graphics and text. Also avoid making your text font less than 12 points.