Work initially in black and white. If it doesn't work BW, it won't work in color either. Squint when you look at the page. Does the contrast still pop? If not,

Work initially in black and white. If it doesn't work BW, it won't work in color either. Squint when you look at the page. Does the contrast still pop? If not, change the design. Think about the content. What's most important? What do you want to emphasize? Minimize the number of styles, fonts, and sizes. Group elements together. Print it out and read it. Does it flow? Is there an eye-pleasing sequence of elements? Or is it a jumble. Look at designs that are very good. What makes them good? Try to apply the same principles.