Web accessibility is no longer just a trend – it’s a necessity for modern websites. With millions of people around the world living with disabilities, creating an accessible website ensures everyone can engage with your content. More than that, making your site accessible can improve user experience, increase your potential audience, and even give your SEO a boost.
In this post, we’ll dive into the importance of web accessibility, why it matters for businesses, and the steps you can take to ensure your site meets the standards.
What is Web Accessibility?
Web accessibility refers to designing and developing websites so that people with disabilities can easily use them. This includes those with visual, auditory, cognitive, and motor impairments. A fully accessible website allows users to navigate, interact with, and understand content without barriers.
For businesses, this isn’t just about compliance – it’s about inclusivity. According to the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), accessibility means that websites work for all people, regardless of their hardware, software, language, or ability.
Why Web Accessibility Matters & is Important for Your Business
Reaching a Wider Audience – Millions of people globally live with some form of disability, and ensuring your website is accessible opens your content to this underserved audience. An inclusive website can lead to more traffic, customer engagement, and ultimately, conversions.
Legal Compliance – Depending on your location, there are laws and guidelines around web accessibility. For example, the UK’s Equality Act 2010 mandates that businesses make their websites accessible. In the US, websites may fall under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Not complying can result in costly lawsuits and damage to your brand’s reputation.
SEO Benefits – Search engines like Google value accessible websites because they often have clean code, use proper HTML elements, and include descriptive alt text. By improving your accessibility, you’ll also improve your SEO, which means better search engine rankings.
Improved User Experience – Accessibility enhancements like keyboard navigation, alternative text for images, and clear, readable fonts don’t just help those with disabilities – they enhance the experience for all users. This can result in longer session durations, lower bounce rates, and higher conversion rates.
Brand Reputation – Building an accessible website shows that you care about all users, reflecting positively on your brand. Customers and clients are more likely to engage with businesses that demonstrate inclusivity and social responsibility.
How to Make Your Website Accessible
Creating an accessible website involves several practical steps:
Use Descriptive Alt Text – Always include detailed, descriptive text for all images so that screen readers can convey the content to visually impaired users.
Ensure Keyboard Navigation – Many users rely on their keyboard to navigate websites. Ensure that every function on your site can be accessed via keyboard alone, including forms, dropdowns, and links.
Use Clear, Readable Fonts – Choose fonts that are easy to read, and ensure there’s enough contrast between your text and background colours for people with visual impairments.
Add Captions to Videos – Video content should include captions for the hearing impaired. This helps all users better understand your content.
Follow the WCAG Guidelines – The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) offer comprehensive best practices for making websites accessible. The WCAG 2.2 standards focus on making content perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust for all users.
Accessibility is a Win-Win for Everyone
Making your website accessible isn’t just about ticking a box – it’s about creating a better, more inclusive internet for everyone. By implementing accessible design and development practices, you not only comply with legal standards but also reach a broader audience and enhance the user experience for all.
Take the time to assess your website’s accessibility today and start making improvements. Your audience and your business will thank you for it.
Need Help
Need help making your website more accessible? Contact Just There today to ensure your site is inclusive, SEO-friendly, and built for everyone.
