Just removing the clutter won't make it a better design. You need to sit down with the owner and create a workflow of how the user should interact with your sit

Just removing the clutter won't make it a better design. You need to sit down with the owner and create a workflow of how the user should interact with your site. You need to answer a lot of questions on what you are trying to do and just exactly how you are going to do it. After you've understood that from the owner's mouth then do extensive testing until you come up with a finished product. I am sure that if you will surf HN a lot then you'll find better advice.