Let's pretend. Let's pretend you asked me to design a Web site for you. Then we also need to pretend, of course, that I said yes, which I would almost never do because freelance clients are usually nuttier than an Almond Joy and about as smart as a bag of hair. I'm speaking generally, of course.

Now pretend I said, "I quit. You can design this site by yourself." Which I'd most likely do, because in this scenario you're the client, and I've already expressed my views about the client.

"Don't worry, though. I'll talk you through it," I say. "Why? Because that's the kind of guy I am."

The first thing you need to do is ask yourself a few questions. What is the point of the site? What are your goals? Do you want to show the world pictures of your cat? Are you trying to sell worms through the mail? Are you promoting your new major motion picture? The answer will help you begin to focus your page. As you edit your material, you will quickly see that the picture of your cat has no business on the homepage of your new blockbuster.