common layout flaws i notice are what i call onion layouts

which basically confuse emphasis in ways that the hierarchy of the content is mis formed

the problem an onion layout creates is the sense of being lost to the reader which makes them feel perhaps the site is a blog roll trap or just a poorly formed site and likewise the content is not of esteemed value

solutions to this problem in include forms of site navigation along with description to help guide people horizontally to your content and not vertically