Also avoid making entire sentences links. It's cleaner and simpler to link off one word or a short phrase. White space doesn't necessarily need to be white - it can be any color you want, but it should be blank. Eye relief is the concept here. Fat margins around body copy work nicely as well.
White space helps the reader's eyes rest on what's important - whether that's an image or words.
It helps unclutter your design and focus your concept. I'll close with another idea that isn't new or mine. Focus your ideas. Make sure everything on your page has a really good reason for being there. Make sure you spend as much time picking out your images and colors as you spend on your copy.