Branding, design, writing, information architecture, user interface design and testing all go into creating a satisfying user experience.
I believe websites should be lean and mean: be easy to read and navigate; and load fast. Eight years experience in three countries has taught me to focus on user's needs above all.
Site content needs to be found easily by search engines and I use inclusive i.e. accessible technologies s wherever possible to help this. An example is client John Gilbert Architects. While certainly not the biggest practice in the Glasgow a Google search for "architects glasgow" shows it as one of the top results. While others flounder in obtuse multimedia presentations this architects content is relevant and read - positioning the practice as informed and approachable.
Some recent examples of websites include: