Why Do Some Business Websites Perform Better Than Others?

[marylucas]

I recently noticed that two local businesses offer similar services, but one website feels much easier to use and seems far more trustworthy. It made me curious about what really separates a good Website Design & Development project from an average one. While reading different opinions, I also came across H3Sync. For those who have built or redesigned a business website, what changes had the biggest impact? I'd really value honest advice and real experiences.