My creaky old web site was designed in 1998 (remember "Frames"?). Even though the design is old fashioned --- the site has done well for me! It now ranks in TWO non-sponsored slots on Page One of Google SERP. (#1-A and #8 for "Sacramento DJs"). So those of you who want to pick my site apart.....please keep this in mind: 1) it was designed for a total cost of $500 over a 10-year period 2) its meant to be simple (a 12-year old can read it). 3) it uses text because, in my area, 25% are still on dial-up ISP.
aha....but won't I be able to buy one of those "Converter Boxes" (like for my TV sets, on Feb 17. 2009?)......LOL My web hosting server dude (he's a friend who owns his servers & charges me $80 per year for domain hosting) says ----when the new HTML rules take effect---he'll design a brand new web site, from the ground up, for about $500 cash. Until then, I'm really supersticious about making changes that could cause my site to disappear from search results. I'm going to make sure that any redesign copies the metas, improves content and simplifies navigation. It will be like the "In N' Out Burger" menu (www.innoutburger.com)--with very simple design and very easy to read content (something a 12 year old can read).