You can't always control who visits, however, you can have some control over who stays.

Here are a few website no-no's that I have come accross that made me leave without even clicking past first page.

1. Slow loading pages - For those of us still on dial-up internet access this is one of primary reasons for not hanging around.

If you think you are going to load your page up with lots of images and javascripts to make it look nice and do great things, think again. They slow down loading of page. Save that stuff for later pages when you have your visitors' attention. If you offer them something they came to find they will have a little more patience as remaining pages load.

2. Curser followers - We've all seen them, those little dots or letters that follow curser around page. They are so annoying that I don't even bother to read first paragraph.

OK, so maybe there is a place for them. If you have a site based on entertaining children then perhaps you can use them effectively. However, if your site is focused on getting signups for your affiliate programs try to keep it professional looking.

3. Flash Intro - These are not as bad as they used to be due to fact that most search engines can spider and index them now.

What is annoying though is when a site has a flash intro and does not give visitor a way to skip it and go directly into site. Again this is particularly bad for those with dial-up connections. If I have to sit and watch a little colored bar that says 'loading', guess what, I'm gone. Always give your visitor a means to skip intro if they want to.

4. Colored backgrounds and printing - Have you ever had to get up close to your monitor to read words on a website? I have and I can tell you that I didn't read too many lines before I was gone.

There are definitely some color schemes you should stay away from. For example, red letters on a black background are extremely hard to read. I'm sure you have come accross some yourself that were sure-fire triggers for 'back' button.

First off, let's talk about page layout.

The Rule – Too much boxes is bad for your health.

One designer said that a mark of a designer is when he or she starts to use boxes and rules in his or her pages. When you look at your page and realize need to make something attractive and creative out of boring stuff you've just made, and then decide to throw around a box or two or place rules between columns, then that's time when your creativity is getting out from confinement.

Before using all box there is in your software, just remember to do it in moderation. Anything in excess is a bad thing. Sure, boxes and rules are a good way to highlight important information. But if you're going to do it in all your pages, or put virtually everything in a box, then nothing will stand out from crowd.

The Rule – Do not divide page in halves.

The best way to infuse excitement and innovation in your documents is to divide page into thirds. Afterwards, place most important objects like headings, photos, and visuals, at top or bottom third.

Let's go to color.

The Rule – Contrasting colors make for greater readability.

Any designer knows that enough contrast between text and background makes for easy reading of text and material. Often, dark text is used on a light background. And vice versa.