It's an exciting time for design and the internet.  

We've finally reached a point where novelty takes a backseat and the focus is on elegance. Smart websites that function beautifully are what get attention at the moment - no showing off, just a well-designed experience.

http://2012.buildconf.com/ 

Modernist designer Massimo Vignelli likes to bang on about elegance; the idea that good design must have a well-considered clarity of function. Elegance is a good word for it. In the early 2000s minimalism was a hot thing in web design, but what we're seeing now is something different. It's not as simple or brutal as minimalism; elegance is similar but more considered.

Maybe it's the influence of big design-led companies like Apple or maybe it's just a natural progression of the web as a medium, but successful websites have to be elegant to succeed now.

http://frankchimero.com/

What does that mean in concrete terms? It's one of those "you know it when you see it" things. Certainly, it includes great typography, no extraneous content, direct and simple usability, seamless screen-adaptation... It means taking the time to design a good site. Keep it simple, design it well. Big success!