We recently published an article on site redesign.
Cool Doesn't Count in Web Design
Thinking about a redesign? You had best understand the value of your current site first.
http://techsoup.org/howto/articlepage.cfm?ArticleId=527
Has your organization redesigned your site? Share your experiences with the community.
I agree with the article...cool only counts in making a site memorable (sometimes) but not often in a useful way for the organization. the real key (known as "branding" is that users are comfortable they came to the right site, and that the "usability" of the site matches their expectations.
It also doesn't hurt if the site has some of the same elements (look, color, font, etc) as your other communication pieces (letterhead, PSAs, etc)....makes your message more memorable. How many Nike things do you see without the "swish"?
One of the BIG things my clients have found that does matter is ease and efficiency of updates...this is easily done with a content manager, something that allows a non-techie to change the content of the website (we use a software that lets non-techies even add new pages to their website, as well as add/change content - and it allows "coders" to write fancy script on line as well). Beyond frontpage or dreamweaver, this content manager lets you edit the site from anywhere, without ANY special software on the computer.
Next, make sure you have email addresses that are name@yoursite.org.
for other ideas, email me at stevef@pwpllc.org (also stevef@nblt.org, stevef@practicalenvironmentalism.org, or any of the other client sites we manager).
thanks