Realize that visitors use different browsers with connections of different bandwidths. Netscape is pervasive, but not universal. Users also access your site using connections or pipelines of different capacity. Some have slow modems. Make visiting an enjoyable experience for everyone.
Graphics are alluring.
Before the web became popular, gopher was an easy way to navigate text-base information. Gophers made Internet navigating easy, but they didn't capture the public's imagination and interest the way the web did. That's because gophers didn't have graphics. Glitter isn't everything. The web wouldn't have the allure it has without graphics, but many valuable sites succeed with minimal graphical images, making up for their lack of glitter with rich text-based content.