Web design is the process of creating the websites and other web locations that are part of your marketing plan.
To be effective, the design is a marriage of form and function.
It needs to look good with a pleasing layout and quality
graphics
to keep the visitor interested and to provide a pleasant experience.
But, doesn't matter how good it looks ... if no one can find it on the web!

Even more importantly, the website has to provide:
the information the visitor needs
an easy to use interface for navigating around the pages, and
the "behind the scenes" technology to make it search engine friendly