Design right and copyright apply to websites in the same way as to other designs and written materials, though it is unlikely that you will particularly want to protect the design of your website, or that anyone else will feel that the design of your website breaches their intellectual property rights.
There may also be copyright in the selection and arrangement of the elements in the underlying databases, and in the computer programs used (whether source or object codes).
If you use a designer to create your website, to be safe ask the designer for a written guarantee that the site does not breach anyone else's rights. And ensure that the design right and copyright are assigned to you in writing. Otherwise, you could be forced to pay the designer every time you want to change the site, even if the designer has stopped working for you.
You should also be aware that you must not discriminate against disabled people in the way that you recruit employees or provide a service. This may apply to your website: for example, if you are recruiting or selling online. The design of an 'accessible' website should take into account the problems that, for example, people with impaired sight might face.
