I always find it much easier to design and code a new site if i start with a simple layout like the ones pictured below. Break your design into boxes and you will find it much easier to code. I also find it handy to have a look around the web for interesting and suitable layouts. The content doesnt have to be the same as your intended site, just as long as the overall layout is similar to what you had in mind, it then gives you something to follow. Picking the right colours is also key to a good design, so looking at different colour schemes is good.
Picking The Right Colours
If your client has a colour scheme in mind for their website design, then this is a really good website to have a look at your options.
You can search for a specific colour or you can search by theme or just a random word, which then gives you options to gain that affect through those colours. Really cool.