As a marketing consultant, I spend a great deal of time scouring the net for good web design and so much more time fixing poorly fashioned websites. Unfortunately, most business websites are dreadful, featuring obnoxious color schemes, too much text, tacky background art, and lots more. This in spite of the fact that 75% of people admit that they judge an organization by their website.

The good news is that simple fixes can make a world of difference. Whether your site should come with a warning label or only requires a simple face lift, you might consider the following:

1) Direct the reader's attention to the things you most care about. This doesn't mean flashing text or animated gifs. But you should use headline text and other simple means to highlight what matters most.

2) Pictures tell the story. Use them wisely. Think about your product offerings or specialty and highlight them through quality pics & graphics. Note: quality is absolutely essential. Blowing up your small, low-resolution pics will make you seem cheesy and clueless. If you're focused on foreclosures and short sales, show visitors shots of the buying possibilities.

3) Color. Wonderful Color. Whether you're the Monet of web design or you don't have a clue how to "paint" your website, you can create a look that's inviting not intimidating, warm not overbearing. One easy solution is to Google "Kuler." From there you can download a free desktop application that acts as a color wheel with great palettes from design professionals. Heck, I even use them!

4) No Manual Required. I hate installing ceiling fans. What should take ten minutes almost always takes an hour to figure out. Now think about your website. Can visitors easily find property listings, local facts and contact info? Why not? What about brief intros to your various services with links to dedicated pages for each? Organize information in an intuitive manner that requires the least number of clicks.

5) Don't Steal. Be inspired. One of the best ways to become a great writer is to read incredible writing. The same is true of great web design. If you want your site to propel your real estate business, then check out the websites of businesses. AM Design (www.amdesign.com) does amazing work. No, I don't work for them. No, you shouldn't simply "borrow" their designs. But I encourage you to use their work as inspiration for your own online offerings. A lot of their stuff is based in Flash and other programs you may not be able to afford and may require expertise you don't have. But you can still learn from their great design and think about what's achievable in your context.

This is the just the beginning. But following these tips will get you on the road to a visually-vibrant, user-friendly website. Remember, 75% of folks will judge you by your online home. A few simple fixes will help you pass the test.