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On the Internet, there is the whole idea of copyright and infringement issues to be considered. "Site plagiarizing" is a heavy problem on the Internet, with webmasters preying upon the hard work of others to place onto their own sites. Taking inspiration from the design qualities and style of other websites is perfectly fine (including consulting their source code to see how they've done things) but pilfering other people's work is strongly discouraged. Stealing images from other sites that might've been custom-made, taking buttons and actual content should be heavily avoided.
You should take the initiative of providing your own web content. Have your customized graphics done by a professional or a knowledgeable person to add identity to your page. There are plenty of websites out there that give you free buttons and logos, allowing you to create them yourself using an interface. Services like these only charge "an acknowledgment" on your page or a small link to the website on the graphic.
If you're compelled to use another person's graphic or content, ask them for permission first to avoid potential copyright issues and to show that "web etiquette." In the meantime, stay with universally recognized symbols to highlight concepts instead of somebody else's light bulb icon with a company logo emblazoned in it.
Beginner web designers should take the time to plan their sites carefully before turning on the computer. They can involve a lot of moving parts and become complex very fast, so planning ahead and putting your resources in order is a must. Remember, planning doesn't mean working out site arrangements with site navigation. It also includes organizing the directory structure and the names you'll give to web pages. Take heed especially if your plan is to update the site regularly. Take all of these pieces of advice and build yourself a dynamic website.
Remember, websites are always under construction so take care of it like a newborn and hit all of your ceilings as far as traffic and profits are concerned for future success.
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