![Close-up of hands using an accessible keyboard, emphasizing the importance of web accessibility features.](/_next/image?url=%2Fmedia%2Fblog%2F65a14f627b995.jpg&w=1920&q=75)
How Will You Benefit If You Have an Accessible Website?
In the current digital era, making websites accessible to individuals with disabilities—including the legally blind—is not only a morally sound decision but it is also a savvy business strategy with a generous payoff. The benefits include:
1. Improving Usability
Accessibility features implemented on the website not only help the legally blind but also make the website more user-friendly for everyone. A more user-friendly interface can result in decreased bounce rates and increased user satisfaction, which helps businesses keep more customers.
2. Search Engine Optimization
Though perhaps surprising, improved search engine ranking is an outcome of improved accessibility. Websites that are accessible frequently follow SEO best practices. This can cause a website's search engine ranking to rise, resulting in increased web traffic which can lead to increased sales and conversion rates.
3. Strengthening the Brand Image
Since consumers place a high value on corporate social responsibility, making a website accessible to all can greatly enhance a business's reputation. Customers are drawn to brands that are perceived as being inclusive and considerate of individuals with disabilities, which has the net effect of increasing customer loyalty and potentially driving additional purchases of the company’s goods or services.
4. Enlarging the Customer Base
Businesses reach a larger audience by providing legally blind users with access to their websites. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it is estimated that 1 in 4 adults in the US has a disability. Clients who might not otherwise be able to use the website efficiently can be attracted to companies with websites that favor accessibility, which may lead to increased revenue and sales.
5. Avoiding Legal Expenses
Websites and other digital platforms must be accessible to individuals with disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Lawsuits related to web accessibility are becoming more common and can be expensive for companies impacted by litigation. These legal problems and the accompanying financial burdens can be avoided by proactively putting web accessibility standards into practice.
There are numerous financial advantages that result from creating an accessible, ADA-compliant website. They include avoiding legal fees, growing the clientele, boosting SEO, building brand recognition, and ensuring you have a professional online presence. Thus, web accessibility provides a competitive advantage in the digital world, serving a social good and aligning with thoughtful business strategy.