Despite the increasingly connected world that we live in today, not all have the same level of access to resources on the World Wide Web. In addition, people with disabilities may not have the capacity to navigate, understand, or view a website in the way that many others can. Therefore, it’s essential to adopt accessible web design practices. In doing so, you won’t just remain compliant with its ethical aspects. But it can also enhance the performance of your organization or company. For those who are still unconvinced, we’ve listed down a few more reasons why it’s essential, below.
1. It addresses an ethical concern
Much like an establishment that lacks a ramp for those with mobility problems, a website that lacks accessibility can make it hard, if not impossible, for those who have disabilities to use it properly. If you have any intentions of welcoming everyone, they should be given the means to navigate through and understand the content of your online domain, regardless of the extent of their visual or motor skills. By incorporating assistive technology and services into your web pages, you’ll effectively advocate for people who would be excluded from accessing digital resources otherwise. As a result, you’ll create a better impression for your brand and attract a broader market.
2. Accessibility enhances reach
The success of every website depends on both the volume and quality of traffic it receives. With over a billion disabled people all over the world, you’ll effectively be locking yourself out of a sizable market if your website lacks accessibility features. On the other hand, suppose visually-impaired users visit your website and have an easy time navigating through its pages and consuming its content. In that case, there’s a good chance that they’ll stay around long enough for you to encourage specific actions from them, such as making a purchase or joining your email list. Conversely, if they don’t, then you’ll fail to keep them interested, and they’re likely to go to your competitor’s site instead.
3. Enhances search engine optimization
Whether it’s because of design or sheer luck, many practices in enhancing search engine optimization (SEO) also elevate website accessibility. The reason for this is that most search engines depend on text to evaluate sites. The more understandable and organized everything is, the better its SEO efforts are, and accessibility to those who have disabilities is no exception. Here are some strategies that improve both accessibility and SEO:
- Using a trusted closed captioning service.
- The addition of alt tags for images.
- Creating optimized URLs that are easy to understand.
- Offering a content page, site map, and search options.
- Leveraging organized headings.
Conclusion
As a business, inclusivity is essential. Without it, you’ll fail to maximize the profit potential of your entrepreneurial venture. More importantly, it’s the right thing to do. You must make your online domain accessible to those who suffer from disabilities as those who don’t. Doing so won’t just help you put your brand in a positive light. But it will widen your reach too.