Why Web Accessibility Matters for Your Business
Web accessibility is no longer a “nice-to-have” – it’s a must. Beyond being the right thing to do, ensuring your website is accessible can bring significant benefits to your business. Here’s why:
1. Legal Compliance
The number of lawsuits filed against businesses with inaccessible websites has been climbing steadily over recent years. In March 2022, the Department of Justice published clear guidance on web accessibility, making it clear that businesses open to the public must comply with web accessibility requirements. Staying compliant reduces your risk of legal action and demonstrates your commitment to equal access for all.
2. Expanding Your Market
According to the CDC, approximately one in four adults in the U.S. lives with at least one disability. Making your website accessible allows people with disabilities to access your products or services, potentially increasing your customer base by 15-20%. Importantly, not all disabilities impact someone’s ability to use electronic devices, so accessibility improvements can benefit a broad range of users.
3. Boosting Brand Reputation
Being known for accessibility shows that your business is committed to inclusivity and civil rights. This can enhance your reputation in the marketplace, making your brand more appealing to socially conscious consumers and partners.
4. SEO Benefits
Web accessibility improvements often align with better SEO practices. Features like alternative text for images, semantic HTML, and better navigation structures help search engines understand and index your website more effectively. This makes it easier for potential customers to find you when searching for relevant products or services.
5. Future-Proofing Your Business
Investing in accessibility now helps you avoid expensive lawsuits or the scramble to meet future regulations. More countries, states, and even local governments are passing laws requiring websites to meet accessibility standards. By prioritizing accessibility today, you’ll be ahead of the curve and better prepared for what’s to come.
Make Accessibility a Priority
Whether you’re driven by legal compliance, market expansion, or brand reputation, web accessibility is a smart business decision. By ensuring your website is accessible, you’re not only serving your customers better but also positioning your business for long-term success.
- Legal Compliance – The number of lawsuits files against businesses with inaccessible websites has been increasing steadily over the past several years. The Department of Justice published clear guidance on web accessibility in March 2022, clarifying the web accessibility requirements for businesses open to the public.
- Increased Market – The CDC has stated that approximately one in four adults in the US live with at least one disability. Accessible websites allow people with disabilities to access services, expanding their potential customer base by 15-20% (not all disabilities impact someone’s ability to use electronic devices)
- Brand Reputation – Being known for accessibility demonstrates a commitment to inclusivity and civil rights and can enhance a brand’s reputation in the marketplace.
- SEO Benefits – Accessibility improvements often align with better SEO practices, which helps to make websites more visible to search engines, and more likely to be found by customer searching for products and services
- Future-Proofing – Prioritizing accessibility now means avoiding expensive lawsuits or scrambling to comply with future legal regulations. More and more countries, states, and even municipalities are passing regulations requiring websites to meet some level of accessibility
