Digital accessibility is more than just a moral obligation; it’s a strategic business move. In today’s digital age, businesses rely heavily on websites, apps, and other digital platforms to connect with customers. Creating a seamless experience for all users, regardless of their abilities, is not only the right thing to do but also essential for business success. By prioritizing digital accessibility, companies can expand their customer base, enhance their brand reputation, and comply with legal regulations. This article will delve into the importance of digital accessibility solutions and provide practical steps to incorporate them into your business strategy.
How Does Digital Accessibility Benefit My Business?
Digital accessibility can help your business in several ways. By making your digital platforms inclusive, you can enhance your brand reputation, reach a wider audience, and even save money. Let’s explore how.
1. Brand and Company Value Enhancement
Digital accessibility can significantly enhance your brand and company value. By making your digital platforms accessible to people with disabilities, you demonstrate a strong commitment to inclusivity and social responsibility. This positive image can significantly boost your brand reputation and build trust with your customers. Additionally, a more accessible website or app often leads to a better user experience for everyone, improving overall satisfaction and loyalty. In today’s competitive market, being seen as a company that values diversity and inclusion can give you a clear advantage over your competitors.
2. Cost Advantage
Digital accessibility can also lead to significant cost savings. Accessible websites are often easier to maintain, as they typically follow standardized coding practices. This can reduce the time and resources spent on fixing accessibility issues and making ongoing updates. Additionally, accessible websites tend to have better search engine optimization (SEO), which can increase organic traffic and reduce marketing costs. By creating a website that is usable by everyone, businesses can enjoy lower operational expenses.
3. New Audience
The WHO reports that around 15% of the world’s population has some form of disability, with 31% requiring digital accessibility. Businesses that make their services accessible to everyone, including those with disabilities, can tap into a largely overlooked customer base.
4. Staying Effective and Relevant
If your content can’t adapt to different needs, your design work may lose its impact. Many users choose accessibility features because they’re simple and easy to navigate. Prioritizing accessibility ensures that a wider audience can engage with your website or app, helping your brand remain relevant and extend its reach.
5. Boost Organic Search
Search engines use automated programs, called spiders, to scan and rank web pages. Making your website more accessible improves how these programs navigate and index your content, leading to higher rankings in organic search results. By following accessibility guidelines, you create better-structured websites and content that are easier for search engines to process.
Steps to Make Your Business Digitally Accessible
1. Research and Analyze
The goal of any digital accessibility strategy is to ensure that people with disabilities can access your online content. However, for the strategy to work, it must be tailored to fit your company’s specific needs. The first step is to identify those needs.
You can start by running a free website accessibility scan, which will compare your site against the latest WCAG guidelines and point out any issues. From there, you can seek services from companies like Continual Engine to help make your website more accessible. These companies can also help you achieve legal compliance for your website.
2. Mobilize Your Team:
Raising awareness among your staff is essential. Educate your team members about the importance of digital accessibility and how it impacts your customers. This can be achieved through workshops or training sessions that equip them with the knowledge and tools needed to create inclusive content and experiences.
3. Invest in the Right Tools:
Several helpful tools and resources are available online to assist you in making your digital space more accessible. Explore options like screen reader compatibility checkers, captioning tools for video content, and plugins that allow users to adjust font size and color contrast. Investing in these tools will demonstrate your commitment to inclusivity and ensure a seamless experience for all users.
Closing Thoughts
Incorporating digital accessibility into your business strategy is not only about doing the right thing but also about staying competitive and reaching a broader audience. By making your digital platforms accessible to everyone, you can enhance your brand reputation, reduce costs, and tap into new markets. The steps to get there may seem challenging, but the long-term benefits make it a worthwhile investment. Prioritizing digital accessibility today will help ensure your business remains effective and inclusive in the future.
Author Bio: Emilie Brown works with the Content Marketing team at Continual Engine, a leading AI-based accessibility solutions provider, which enables organizations to create digitally accessible content in compliance with universal accessibility laws. Her approach and methodology are simple, concise, and to the point and connect with readers seeking solution-driven content on topics related to accessibility and remediation. Apart from working, she loves to spend time with her dog, volunteer, and play her guitar.