The great webzine Smashing Magazine has a record of publishing exquisite articles on web related matters. Their latest piece, 10 Principles Of Effective Web Design, is an inspirational must-read for everyone who makes websites.
The principles in a nutshell:
1. Don’t make users think
2. Don’t squander users’ patience
3. Manage to focus users’ attention
4. Strive for feature exposure
5. Make use of effective writing
6. Strive for simplicity
7. Don’t be afraid of the white space
8. Communicate effectively with a “visible language”
9. Conventions are our friends
10. Test early, test often
Be sure to read the original article, because it includes a great deal more than a simple list of recommendations. Each of the ten principles is examined in depth, and illustrated by a single showcase screenshot that immediately drives the point home. A relative newcomer, Smashing Magazine offers a rich fare of tutorials and resources that are both informative and guaranteed to sparkle your creative impulses.