For one reason or another, I consider these sites to be above average in design and layout. They are worth emulating.
I am sure that the rest of the site is as nicely done.
This site doesn’t have spectacular WOW features. It is very appealing to me however. It is worth studying to see what works and what doesn’t.
Much of this focuses on web standards. One site I visited earlier today discusses in depth (for a beginner that is) the visual communication aspects to consider. Talks about conventions and how to use them.
This list will continue to grow I am sure.
For a kick off, here is an excellent link that I just happened onto by jumping from one site to the next. Valuable resources:
This one has a list of first rate sites:
Web usability site that is amazing with its content:
The above sites then led me to this:
Here is one with a ton of snippet ideas to mull:
This site is the best site to determine color names.
You can click on the name and see the other colors on top of your chosen color. Very useful.