Hi,
Most important: Read datasheets. They often give layout recommendations. Boring but necessary.
It depends on the circuit:
* passive, active, low noise, analog, digital, power, HF, switched power....
**
If there are no dedicated recommendations: (mixed signal)
* use a GND plane.
* place high current devices close to the power input. (to avoid high pulsed current flow across the whole GND plane).
* if this is not (good) possible then place the high power, noise part on one side of the PCB and the clean part on the other side of the PCB, maybe add a split in the GND plane. (Simply put, but difficult in detail)
* then place the ICs ... always with the schematic by hand. then the power supply capacitors close to the IC pins.
* place other stuff around the IC according schematic. (capacitors often are more important then resistors, to be close to the IC pins.)
Klaus