For businesses to truly thrive in today’s digitally focused society, a compellingly designed website is essential. A number of studies have shown that a well-designed site with a clear focus will generate a greater amount of traffic and subsequently an increase in custom. With this in mind, what qualities should a website possess in order to be considered a success and are those qualities different to those from a couple of years ago back in 2014?

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Perhaps the biggest change has been in the way people get online. In recent years, the huge increase in the number of ways people can access the internet has given rise to a need for responsive web sites. A responsive site provides the optimal viewing experience for a wide range of devices, from desktop computers and laptops, to smartphones and tablets. The BBC News site is one such organisation which has embraced the idea of responsive websites.

While The Telegraph recently revealed some of the worst web designs currently in existence, here are just a few examples of the very best from 2014, many of them embracing the need for responsive capabilities.

Time Magazine

One of the world’s foremost publications, Time Magazine has a tremendous amount of content to fit on to its official site. This makes the clear, uncluttered feel of the site even more remarkable and impressive. The designers of the Time website have not been afraid to use plenty of white space in order to create an uncluttered and professional aesthetic.

Harvard University

Much like many modern designers, such as the Manchester web design agency https://www.bamboosolutions.co.uk, Harvard University has embraced the responsive revolution with gusto. The responsive features of the official Harvard University site prove that the centuries-old institution is willing to move with the times.

Starbucks

Initially, the official site of the coffee mega-chain may seem a little simplistic but this belies the true power which lies within. The site scores very high marks for its user-friendliness, the various search features being an absolute joy to manoeuvre through. The simple design also proves that the old adage ‘less is more’ still rings true today.

Mashable

One of the key unique selling points of Mashable is the continuously updated content available to visitors. For a lesser-designed site, this continual stream of new content could prove problematic in aesthetical terms. However, the Mashable site manages to maintain a clean and clear look, while making it easy for visitors to find all of the brand new content they desire.

BBC

As already mentioned, the BBC have been quick to embrace responsive design traits for their official website. What makes their site stand apart from others is their clever use of photographic content. Anyone using the site is immediately drawn to the various photos, set as they are against a stark white background. This very clever design tactic ensures that each link or story receives a great deal more hits than would be achieved through text alone.

Choosing upholstery fabric is not quite as simple as it might first appear. There are various factors that need to be taken into account before you make your final decision, as this is often something you will be living with for the next few years.

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Colour

This is frequently the first thing we look for in a fabric, as it is important that the colour you choose complements the room and other furnishings. According to Science Direct, colour influences many areas of our lives including moods and emotions, so it is important to select a colour that keeps us in harmony with our environment.

The size of the room is also important, as bright and bold colours can be overpowering and hard to live with. Go for something you feel comfortable with and do not be swayed by current fashions, as they change from season to season. On a more practical note, if you have pets or small children it is probably best to avoid light colours and those that will show every little mark.

Style

The style of your chosen fabric should complement the style of furniture and the room generally. A rustic feel, for example, might be enhanced by a fabric such as linen look cotton in a gingham pattern, whilst a more formal piece of furniture could benefit from a velvet or another more traditional fabric. If the room is small, do not be tempted to pick a large striking pattern that would be incongruous in that setting.

Durability

Depending on the amount of wear you expect the fabric to take, choose something that will suit. Heavy wear by children might call for a dense, high thread count fabric. A woven pattern will probably stay looking good longer than a printed one. You will need something that wears even better such as leather or microfibre if pets will be using the furniture.

Other Considerations

Choose fabric according to the room. If you are furnishing a nursery for example, you may like to check out http://www.higgsandhiggs.com/fabrics/linen-look-cotton.html in a variety of printed fabrics. Ensure you pick something fade resistant if it will be placed in a sunny room, especially close to a window.

If any members of the family have allergies, you may benefit from a fabric such as microfibre which does not attract dust and is lint free.

With headline retail sales volume back within 3% of their peak in January 2008, the strong showing for Irish retail rates is being driven by books, clothes and hardware. Personal spending looks set to continue to rise, thanks to low deposit-interest rates, meaning more disposable income.

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The Brexit Effect?

Though there are worries that the effect of Brexit and a possible return to cross border trading, coupled with a possible devaluation of sterling against the Euro, may slow sales growth, sales momentum remains strong. However, retailers are being warned to be aware of potential short and long term effects of the vote to leave the EU.

Retail Ireland director, Thomas Burke, has voiced his concerns about the short term impact of economic uncertainty but headline retail sales seem to be heading towards 2015 levels.

Driving Retail Growth

Figures for growth were particularly strong for hardware, paints and glass, which showed a 14.3% month on month increase, followed by paper-based media including books, newspapers and stationery at 10.1%. Clothing, footwear and textiles showed similarly strong growth at 9.7%

Although retailers are advised to be cautious of any potential Brexit effect, Ireland is still regarded as an excellent place to do business, boasting the strongest economic growth in
Europe in 2015.

With consumer confidence high, now is a good time to think about making an investment in your retail bricks and mortar, by using a company like http://www.rmcdesignco.com/ to restyle your premises. Optimising your retail store design is proven to increase sales, by creating that valuable first impression. In the capital, with retail outlets in key locations at a premium, good shop design in Dublin can drive retail customers to your door.

The Celtic Tiger

Despite the continuing uncertainty around the timing of Brexit, Ireland looks well placed to weather the short term effects, even allowing for decreases in sales of electrical goods, cars and food, beverages and tobacco, which all fell by less than 2%. Alan McQuaid, economist at Merrion Capital is confident: ““Even allowing for a slowdown in spending in the second half of 2016, we think that headline retail sales volume growth for the year as a whole will be in the region of 7.0 per cent as against 8.2 per cent in 2015,” he said.