Delayed content loading
Additional content, or decorations, can be loaded after the basic content is displayed by "including" an external file with an AJAX call.
Attaching the additional content loading to a window.onload event, lets visitor start the basic content sooner. Inserting HTML from another file, makes separating the markup easy and accessible for a designer.
Prototype javascript library used here.
Note the Event.observe construct; it's the "right" thing to avoid window.onload conflict.
<script src="javascripts/prototype.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
<div id="delayed-content"></div>
<script type="text/javascript">
Event.observe(window,'load',function(){
new Ajax.Updater('delayed-content','delayed-content.html');
});
</script>
I used this technique on the ipoteka.kz. There's an actual content and relatively "heavy" additional imagery (e.g. the houses at the top).