Accessibility is important for businesses of all types and sizes. It’s imperative that your company understands the business case for accessibility, because it’s not just about being kind to the disabled, or being a good corporate citizen — it’s also about making money. For example, many websites are not accessible to users with disabilities. This means that users who have trouble reading or seeing small print cannot access information on those websites without assistance. But this is not the only benefit of making your site accessible to people with disabilities. Here are some of the other advantages you will see when you invest in accessibility: Accessibility attracts more diverse talent: People from underrepresented groups like women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs than their white male counterparts, which makes it crucial for employers to make hiring easier.
Increase your brand’s credibility and trustworthiness
In today’s highly competitive business landscape, it can feel like any company that has a unique selling point (USP) will be successful. However, consumers are becoming increasingly wary of the quality of products and services they use. They want to see that brands are authentic and trustworthy — they want to feel confident in the companies they do business with. You can help customers feel confident in your brand by creating accessible websites that are compliant with WCAG standards. You must build accessible websites for all users, regardless of their abilities. People with disabilities may be your best customers, but they are still customers, and they too want to feel confident that the products and services they use are of high quality. By making your site accessible, you increase your brand’s credibility and trustworthiness.
Improve conversion rates and user experience
If your site is not accessible, some users may find themselves frustrated by the difficulty of navigating the site. They may end up abandoning the task they were trying to complete and leave your website frustrated. It’s important to remember that non-accessible sites are still websites, not accessible ones.The WCAG standards set a goal of achieving level AAA, but that is a very high standard and most websites will not be able to meet it. When you make your site accessible, however, you open the door to a whole new world of users who previously may have given up on your site. Many of them will have an easier time navigating your website and completing their tasks, which has the potential to improve your user experience for everyone.
Reduce online fraud
Online fraud is one of the biggest threats to businesses today. However, it’s also a problem that’s commonly overlooked by companies. You can help to reduce the number of fraudulent transactions on your website by including clear, concise, and accessible guidelines for how users should complete the checkout process. Having a process that is easy to follow and that is communicated will help to reduce fraud in all its forms, including click fraud. This is because it will make it less likely that users will try to “cheat” the system by using false information, and it will reduce the risk of accidental refunds.
Help people with disabilities to participate more fully in society
As society becomes more inclusive, we are seeing an increased number of people with disabilities seeking to participate more fully in society. Part of this is because accessibility opens up the world for those who may have previously been excluded from social situations, like restaurants or coffee shops. People with disabilities may benefit from using websites that are more accessible — for example, websites that have enhanced images and use larger text. They may also want to request an electronic keyboard that makes it easier to navigate websites or an accessible app for reading text. You can also help these users by making your site accessible. This includes offering text-to-speech functionality, an audio guide, and more.
Stay competitive and safeguard market share
There’s no getting around it — not being accessible could potentially harm your brand. Not only can it result in bad reviews, but it could also result in the loss of potential customers, in terms of advertising spending or sponsored content. You must consider accessibility when developing new features and content. The WCAG guidelines require that all new projects be reviewed, and all content and features must be tested against these standards. This is an important step that can help you to stay competitive and safeguard market share. By following these standards, you can ensure that all users have the same opportunity to enjoy your website — regardless of their abilities.
Conclusion
The more people who can use your site, the more revenue you can earn from each of those users. And, making your site accessible doesn’t take long at all. You can start by following the WCAG guidelines and making sure that your website is compliant with these standards. Once you’ve done that, you can start making small changes to make your site more accessible – like adding alt text to images and making sure your site uses larger text. These small changes can have a big impact and help to create a more inclusive environment for everyone who visits your site.