The Impact of Web Accessibility on Your Business: Why You Can't Afford to Ignore It

In the digital age, web accessibility has become a significant issue for businesses of all sizes. Ensuring that your website is accessible to all including people with disabilities is not only compliance but also good business practice.  

This blog delves into the business benefits of web accessibility, the essentials of web accessibility compliance, web accessibility best practices, accessibility testing for websites, and methods for improving website accessibility.

To understand the Importance of Web Accessibility 

The importance of web accessibility cannot be ignored.

According to the World Health Organization, 1 billion people, or about 15% of the world’s population, experience some form of disability. This data highlights the need for companies to make their websites accessible to all users. An inaccessible website can alienate a significant proportion of potential customers, leading to loss of revenue and reputational damage. 

Business Advantage of the Accessible Website

The business benefits of websites are varied. First of all, an accessible website that expands your market. When you make your website accessible to people with disabilities, you are creating new customers. 

For example, a UK Click-Away Pound research study found that 71% of disabled customers with accessibility issues will click away from a website, with over £11.75 billion in estimated lost web revenue due to inaccessibility occurring annually. 

Additionally, accessible websites tend to have good Search Engine Optimization (SEO). Search engines love well-organized and accessible websites, which are key to business expansion. This can lead to higher status (Page Rank) and an increase in Organic user traffic. 

A study by Searchmetrics showed that websites with good navigation strategies increased organic traffic by 12%.

Web Accessibility Compliance

Complying with web accessibility is not only useful but often legally required. Different countries have different laws to ensure that websites are accessible. 

For example, in the United States, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act mandate access to all digital content, and non-compliance can result in significant fines and lawsuits. In 2020 alone, more than 3,500 lawsuits were filed in federal court for web access violations. 

Web Accessibility Best Practices

Implementing web accessibility best practices is critical for compliance and implementation. 

Key exercises include:

• Keyboard Navigation: Ensure that all web applications can be accessed via the keyboard.
• Alt Text for Images: Add descriptive alt text for all images.
• Semantic HTML: Use HTML elements appropriately to increase readability.
• Color contrast: Set a high contrast between text and background.
• Captions and Titles: Provide titles for audio transcripts and video content.

These practices not only help meet compliance standards but also improve the overall user experience.

Accessibility Testing of Websites

It is important that websites are routinely tested for accessibility to remain compliant and usable. Tools like WAVE, Axe, and Lighthouse can help identify accessibility issues. Participation of disabled hand trial users is also important for a comprehensive evaluation. 

According to WebAIM’s Million reports, 98.1% of home pages had experienced WCAG 2.0 - Web Content Accessibility Guidelines failures, highlighting the need for continuous testing and improvement.

Improved Web Accessibility

Improving a website is an ongoing process. 

Here are some ways to get started.

• Monitor your website: Perform a comprehensive assessment with automated tools and hands-on testing.
• Prevent critical issues: Address the most critical issues identified in the audit.
• Train your team: Ensure your development and content teams are trained on the best sourcing techniques.
• Integrate accessibility into design: Keep accessibility in mind from the beginning.
• Ask for feedback: Collect feedback from users with disabilities on a regular basis to identify areas for improvement.

Investing in accessibility not only ensures compliance but also enhances user experience, leading to increased customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Conclusion

In today’s digital environment, the importance of the website cannot be ignored. The business benefits of web accessibility are clear: market expansion, improved SEO, and improved user experience. Adhering to web accessibility compliance standards protects your business from legal risk and demonstrates your commitment to inclusion. By properly controlling web accessibility and regularly testing sites, you can ensure that your site is usable by everyone. Remember that continuous website improvement is not a one-time task but an ongoing effort that will yield long-term results.

Invest in website accessibility today and watch your business grow in inclusion and reach.