You may be still considering how you intend conducting your online business. It is possible to make money online without having your own website. An example of this would be to purchase and promote mini "sales page" sites.
If you are considering, however, having your own website there are certain elements you should consider, especially 'good design'
Your website is the hub of your online business; it is the virtual representation of your company whether your company exists physically or not.
When you are doing business online, people cannot see you physically like how they could if they were dealing with an offline company. Hence, people do judge you by your covers. This is where a well designed web-site comes in.
Imagine if you are running an offline company. Would you allow your salespersons to be dressed in shabby or casual clothes when they are dealing with your customers?
By making your staff dress professionally, you are telling your customers that you do care about quality. This works simply because first impressions matter. Similarly, the same case is with your web-site.
If your web-site is put together shabbily and looks like a 5 minute "quick fix", you are literally shouting to your visitors that you are not professional and you do not care for quality.
On the other hand if you have a totally professional looking web-site layout, you are giving your visitors the perception that you have given meticulous attention to every detail and you care about professionalism. You are organised, focused and you really mean business.
You should also make sure anything related to your company is well designed. From business cards to letterheads to promotional brochures - every little bit matters.
This is because as you grow your business, these items become the face of your business. Once again, think of the "salesperson dressed shabbily" anology, and you will get my point.
So remember - Good Web design is essential if you want to make a good 'first impression' and it is first impressions that keep people on your site for longer and eventually lead to sales
The site you can view here is a good example of a bright well designed sales page that is intended to draw people in, keep them there and eventually leading to the sale. Take a bit of time consider the design for your site and you will have the same success.