Every website is built around a primary purpose, either it offers products or services or information to the users visiting the website,
1. A layout is the first thing that catches the fancy of the users, it compliments the web site's usability but it should be remembered that everything done to the website should compliment the web site's primary purpose
2. Anything that is added to the website should add value to the website and contribute to the user experience, design elements that doesn't add value only complicate things