At first blush, you might think that because it's your website, it's there to fulfill your needs. The first step in web design is to identify your audiences. Once you've identified your visitors, start to think about why they are coming to the website.
Some people think that they can just take their latest brochure and lay it out on a web page.
While the messages may be similar, the delivery technologies are worlds apart. Each medium has its own unique limitations. Your brochure doesn't take longer to open if you use sumptuous graphics, but it also can't change its presentation to fit the preferences of whomever is looking at it at that moment. If you're doing a business site, ask yourself how your website can help your customers. Maybe it can make it easier for them to place an order, or ask a question, or view proofs of work in progress.