Common comments:
"I don't know how I want my website to look, even though I have a rough idea of what the site will be about."
"What should I put on my website?"
"What can my website do?"
Paper: Even though we all hate pen and paper, it is actually STILL the easiest and quickest way to get ideas down quickly.
Research & Sketch:
It's a good idea that you have a rough sketch of what you want your site to do, and helpful if you have an idea of what type of design (look) you prefer - particularly if you're not a designer yourself. Even if you don't use a sketched design, it helps give you more ideas about what your site will offer, and is a step on the path to the right design.
- Search online for your product to get some ideas of what others are doing.
- Bookmark some sites you like the "look" of.
- Bookmark some sites you like the "layout or structure" of.
- Bookmark some sites you like the "options" of (example: calendar, photo flash slideshow, flipping book,
- Come up with a basic layout/structure sketch you'd like for YOUR site.
- Come up with a basic design sketch on paper using the sites you've found.
- Scrunch up & slam dunk in the trash and try again if it's too messy.