Can you share how you get inspired when designing a website? Thanks.

I always think inspiration should come from the content of the website.

Absolutely agree with Dave and also what new trick or thing I've come across. Lately I'm on transparent flash using a giant green wall I painted in my bedroom.
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Yes the design of a site should come from the content that will be featured on it. This will affect the layout needed, as well as hint at the kinds of colours and fonts to be used.

When the content provides no guidance, I usually browse around some similar sites in that particular niche, and see what works and what doesn't.

But at the end of the day, it's all about the content.

Do the comparison with competitors it will help you

Well, a "state of the art" web site can only be made keeping the content's theme in mind and choose the eccentric color scheme. You can get inspiration by visiting the competitor's web site too

I think about what I want the site to do and what kinds of viewers will be coming to the site. Then, I try to design my site to be as accessible as possible to a wide audience. I try to make my sites simple and yet appealing to the eye.

Sometimes I get inspired from other designer's brilliant work http://www.webcreme.com/

I'm browsing templates Then collect all of the ideas, interesting features I find useful & use a CMS (I'm too lazy to code myself)

Combination of colors and mix..I like grunge stuff and hand made icons for websites.Checking out successful blogs/site can be helpful.....

Besides webcreme, what are some of the best sites to use to look for inspiration?

i consider the niche, then the contents and i search and look for website templates and get more ideas before i start working with it

You know what, I won't do things that's not really my interest because as long as I LOVE what I'm doing, I just get inspires just like every time I design a website.

What I generally do is think of the content, then maybe look at the competitors sites. I think about how much the sites suck and what I would do differently. Then I have a couple beers, get a good buzz going, then just let the code flow. Keep drinking while working and take a smoke break every now and then and within a few hours I have a good site that the customer likes. Best part is I've found I can write off the beer as a business expense.

What I do is go on blogs that showcase design elements and website design and take, make, and innovate.

It's much better to me anyways. This way I don't have to stress myself when I need to design something.

In my case, a major part of the initial meeting with a client is to cruise around the web viewing sites both inside and out of his industry. Get a feel for what the client likes, and then throw out ideas. This will save a lot of time when it comes to making changes down the road... and your willingness to listen can be a "deal closer".

Although few clients have a clue when it comes to web design, they must live with the website you create. It's up to you to find a way to build an efficient "work of art", while at the same time making them happy, because they like the way it looks, but even more... it puts money in their pocket.

I just do a design then build content over a year but after this I usually feel that the design is not suitable and I have a better idea.
Then I just change it and leave it until I have a better idea, who cares? Main thing traffic goes up.
Nobody cares about design. This does not help to get traffic.

I usually am inspired from other sites on the web.

I go and look at other peoples websites, listen to peoples suggestions and feedback, trial and error, and sometimes just play.

Inspiration not come with only content of your site it must be come with your site layout, colors, fonts, structure and navigation style works.