Do you have to rely on pre-made templates and software like FrontPage to design websites? The answer to that depends on how deep you want to dive into the field. Those who are not dedicated and hardworking will probably be forced to bring in a third-party to help them complete their project. However, if you have the time and energy to put in to the project, then keep reading and be willing to take the plunge.
Don't neglect cascading style sheets. Using a style sheet makes it easy to give all pages of your site the same look and feel. It also reduces the file size of your pages, as the CSS file can be accessed once on the server and then from the user's local cache thereafter.
HTML5 video is set to become the next standard for displaying videos on the web and naturally, you should offer both a way in which users can stream your content through an HTML5 format as well as another format such as flash for those who have an older browser version.
Don't try to fit too much onto one page when you're designing a website. If your page is too busy it will take a lot longer to load and can overwhelm visitors. When you're going to be putting up a lot of content, create pages for everything you can to reduce the clutter on your page.
Do not overdo the graphics on your site. Graphics are important, but too many can yuck things up. Don't just use graphics to decorate the website; they should be used to make it better. Having the right mix of graphics will improve your site's usability, too.
Acquiring an understanding of web design concepts is not nearly as difficult as training to become a neurosurgeon. The only person's fate in your hands is your own, and you can learn web design all on your own. If you can follow all the suggestions outlined above, you will be able to design a great looking website.