simple is always better when making a website. First you should think of what your trying to do with the site(what is the point of you making the site) which should determine a lot of the style. Also think of who will be looking at the site and try to cater to them. Your buttons should be accessible and clear and there should be some arrangement to the overall site. Graphics help attract people and there should be 1 or 2 fonts at the most like others have said, and the font should match the overall theme of the site.
heres one layout i just made to show you simplicity works.
http://img119.imageshack.us/my.php?imag ... opy2to.jpg
heres another:
http://img228.imageshack.us/my.php?imag ... opy8tu.jpg