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Why an Accessible Website is a MUST For Your Business
Making sure your website is accessible can be SO incredibly beneficial for your business. Accessibility means making sure your website can be used by people with disabilities, such as people with visual impairments, motor impairments, hearing impairments, and/or cognitive impairments.
This is where hiring a web designer who’s certified in accessibility comes in and is SO helpful. They know how to design a site that meets the gold standard: the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). This means your site will not only look and function beautifully, but it will also be easy to use for all kinds of visitors— plus, you’ll be in line with international web accessibility requirements.
And here’s the thing: you’re not just doing this out of the kindness of your heart (although that’s a phenomenal reason too, and it should be part of it). Making your website accessible can have a huge impact on your business. Did you know that at any given time, 1 in 4 people live with some kind of disability? Yep, 25% of potential clients and customers could struggle to use your website if it’s not accessible. Imagine the difference it makes when you create an online experience where no one feels left out.
Web Accessibility Benefits Everyone
It doesn’t just make your site easier for people with disabilities to use— it makes the experience better for everyone who visits your site. Think about it. Have you ever been on a website where the navigation was confusing, the text was hard to read, or it was difficult to find the right button? It's frustrating, right?
An accessible website fixes all that. When your site is built to be intuitive for all types of people, the overall experience naturally improves for everyone. Whether somebody has a permanent disability, a temporary injury, or no impairment at all, they’ll be able to navigate your site without a hitch. And when people find what they’re looking for quickly and easily, they’re more likely to trust your brand and stick around longer— hello, higher conversion rates!
Why Accessibility Is a Win-Win for You and Your Clients & Customers
At the end of the day, making your website accessible isn’t just about checking off a box or avoiding legal trouble (though that’s important, too). It’s about creating an inclusive experience that respects and welcomes all of your website visitors. When you invest in accessibility, you’re investing in a better experience for your visitors, a more resilient business model, and a brand that stands for something meaningful.
By working with an accessibility-certified web designer, you’re setting yourself up for success. Your website won’t just meet the technical standards, but it’ll also function beautifully for every person, create a positive impression, and make sure your business stands out in a crowded digital world.
The Legalities of Web Accessibility
Let’s get real for a second— web accessibility is no longer just a ‘nice thing to have’— it’s a legal requirement in many parts of the world. With the rise of digital accessibility awareness, more and more governments are putting regulations in place to make sure that websites are accessible to everyone, regardless of their abilities. If your site isn’t compliant, you could be opening yourself up to some serious legal issues.
Think of it like this: just like how brick-and-mortar stores need to have wheelchair ramps and accessible restrooms, your website needs to be designed so that people with disabilities can easily use it. If not, you might find yourself facing legal action. This is especially important if you’re doing business in countries with strict regulations around digital accessibility, like the U.S., where the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has increasingly been applied to websites.
So what does that mean for you? Potential lawsuits, hefty fines, and a major hit to your reputation. No one wants to be in the headlines for failing to include 25% of the population, right? And while it does sound a little daunting, the solution is pretty simple— hire an accessibility-certified web designer who knows how to ensure your site meets the necessary guidelines. This professional (hi— that's me) can help you navigate the confusing world of web standards and ensure that your business is on the right side of the law.
Real-Life Consequences of Non-Compliance
Here’s where it gets even more important. Not only could your business be penalized financially, but failing to prioritize accessibility could also damage your reputation with customers and clients. In today’s hyper-connected digital world, consumers care about more than just a product or service—they care about the values of the businesses they support. A lack of accessibility shows that inclusivity isn’t a priority, which can alienate potential customers and create negative PR.
We’ve seen businesses go viral for all the wrong reasons after being called out for inaccessible websites. It’s not just about losing a lawsuit—it’s about losing the trust and respect of your audience, which can be incredibly hard to regain. No one wants to work with a company that seems to be behind the times or unconcerned with customer/client needs.
By working with a website accessibility expert, you’re not just avoiding lawsuits—you’re actively taking a stand for inclusivity. Your customers and clients will appreciate the effort, and it’ll strengthen your brand’s reputation as a business that genuinely cares about all people.
The Real Benefits of Website Accessibility
Still on the fence about whether accessibility is worth the effort? Spoiler alert— it absolutely is. Making your website accessible isn’t just about reaching a wider audience, it brings a ton of benefits that can drive your business forward and boost your business in ways you might not expect.
Boosting Your SEO Efforts
Believe it or not, web accessibility and SEO go hand in hand! When you make your website more accessible, you’re doing a lot of things that search engines looove. For example, adding descriptive alt text to all the photos on your website doesn’t just help people with visual impairments— it also gives search engine crawlers more context, which can help improve your rankings. Clear navigation, proper heading structure, and well-organized content are all part of accessibility and directly influence your site’s SEO performance.
Imagine this... Your site becomes easier for search engines to crawl, which means more opportunities to rank for the keywords that matter to your business. It’s like giving your SEO strategy a fancy upgrade without even trying. The result? More visibility, more traffic, and ultimately, more customers and clients!
Increase Engagement (and Keep Visitors Around Longer)
You know what’s a huge turn-off? Trying to use a website that feels like a puzzle. I know you know what I'm talking about... And for people with disabilities, this happens all too often, and they bounce off inaccessible sites faster than you can say “missed opportunity.” But when your website is built with accessibility in mind, it isn’t just functional—it’s actually more enjoyable to use.
An accessible site means people with disabilities can navigate their way around easily, find what they need, and interact with your content without any roadblocks. This leads to higher engagement, more time spent on your site, and more interactions with your products or services. And here’s the kicker— people with positive user experiences are much more likely to return and become loyal customers and clients.
Smooth Sailing for Everyone (aka a Seamless Experience)
When your website is accessible, you’re creating an intuitive, frustration-free experience for everyone that lands on your website—not just those with disabilities. We’re talking about smoother navigation, clearer calls to action, easier-to-read content, more context, and an overall simpler way to find the information they came for.
Think about it like this... Accessibility features make the entire user journey a breeze. Whether someone’s buying products, booking a service, or just reading your blog, they’ll have an easier time doing it on an accessible website. And when people don’t have to fight with your site to find what they need, they’re more likely to convert into paying customers and clients. Plus, a seamless experience means fewer customer support headaches for you— which is always a win-win.
Build Trust and Credibility
In today’s world, people aren’t just buying products or booking services anymore— they’re buying into values. Especially the younger generations like Millennials and Gen Z. And when you take the time to make your website accessible, you’re non-verbally sending a message loud and clear: your business is committed to inclusivity. You’re saying, “We care about everyone who visits our site.”
That’s powerful! It builds trust and shows that you’re a forward-thinking brand that values every single person who interacts with your business. Over time, this kind of reputation isn’t just good for your soul— it’s good for your bottom line. People want to support businesses that align with their values, and accessibility can be the factor that sets you apart from your competitors.
Stay Ahead of the Legal Curve & Avoid Costly Mistakes
We can’t ignore the legal side of things. Accessibility isn’t just a nice-to-have— it’s becoming a legal must-do. Lawsuits related to web accessibility are on the rise, and depending on where you operate, failing to make your site accessible could mean hefty fines or worse, serious damage to your reputation.
By building an accessible site from the get-go, you’re not just avoiding legal trouble— you’re future-proofing your business. Why risk falling behind when you can be ahead of the curve? It’s a small investment that can save you from major headaches (and expenses) down the road.
Ready to Reap the Benefits?
So, what’s the bottom line? Making your website accessible isn’t just about doing the "right thing" (although that’s a huge part of it and should be one of your top reasons). It’s about growing your audience, creating happy customers and clients, boosting your SEO, building trust, and protecting your business from legal risks. That’s a whole lot of upside for one strategic decision.
If you’re ready to take the next step, let’s chat. Whether you’re revamping an old site or starting fresh, we’ll make sure your website is a place where everyone feels welcome. Book your free 30-minute discovery call today and let’s get started!
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