For any and every website content is king. Intentions are great, but the Internet is a busy and complex place. In order to stand out and call attention to itself, a website must present its content in a way that will meet the needs and, most importantly, the expectations of the Internet users who might go looking for that information. This means that the navigation should conform to some basic rules, and certain visual elements should be placed in obvious and expected places to achieve maximum effect.
The core design question to be asked and answered is:
What structure and visual representation of the work, product, interest or cause will present it in its best light, and make it as easy as possible for users to find their way around the site?
Beyond that, the actual design process can be contracted out (whole or in part) or not, based on the web publisher’s level of technical skill.
