Designing for the web is a skill that can take years to master and not something that comes free with a copy of Photoshop.

A great knowledge of HTML has got nothing to do with design, as the painful results of many 'techie' websites will testify!

The importance of design should never be underestimated. A good-looking site will influence the user's initial perception of the site's value and encourage them to explore the site further.

A tawdry, badly designed front page may deter users from even entering, as might a design that looks completely inappropriate for the site's theme (so, no mud wrestling ladies for the local church's homepage, then).