Layouts

A good layout is important. Very few people want to look at a site that is linear text going from top to bottom. And what about navigation? Or banners? Visitors will need a way to get around your site. The best, and most used is a vertical sidebar on the left. As for banners, people need a way to instantly identify your site (and what could be better than a huge image with your site's name on it?). Boring <h1> type just won't work. You need a 480x80 - 720x120 banner at the top of your site. I have (or will add sometime) some banner images that you can save and add your site's name to (with MS Paint or Adobe Photoshop, etc.). Below are some sites where you can get a layout (minus the banner, usually).

1. The Potter Police - Just register for their forums and you can request a free layout and/or banner. They do forum skins, too! A great site where you can ask for advice as well.
2. Bravenet - Sign-up for this site and get a ton of free stuff! A browsable gallery of layouts you could use, a poll service, hit counter, and more.