Creating an accessible website is not just a legal requirement; it helps your business stand out as an inclusive company accepting of all customers. Accessible web design ensures that all users, including those with disabilities, can navigate and interact with your website effectively. Accessible websites do much more than bring in more customers, but allow customers of all abilities to work with your business. Learn more about why accessibility is important to your business and its website.

What makes a website accessible? Website accessibility means that tools and technologies across the website are designed and developed so that people with disabilities can use them effectively. The most common disabilities that must be taken into consideration in accessible website design include auditory, cognitive, neurological, speech, visual, and physical disabilities. WAI, or the W3C Web Accessibility Initiative, continually updates and develops technical specifications and guidelines to support accessibility across the web.

One of the most compelling reasons for implementing accessible web design is the potential to reach more customers. According to the World Health Organization, over one billion people worldwide live with some form of disability. If your business isn’t accessible, you are losing out on a significant number of customers. By ensuring your website is accessible, you engage this significant demographic, which often feels excluded from digital spaces. Creating an inclusive environment to enhance your brand's reputation and foster loyalty among customers who appreciate your commitment to accessibility.

Implementing accessible web design positively impacts your website's SEO, or search engine optimization. Search engines favor websites that provide a good user experience, and many accessibility features align with SEO best practices. For instance, using descriptive alt text for images not only aids visually impaired users but also helps search engines understand the content of your images. By improving your site’s accessibility, you can enhance its visibility on search engines, attracting more organic traffic.

Even if you do not understand disability, it is easy to see how making your business’s website accessible is great for profitability in the long-term. You’ll reach a wider audience, create more trust in your customers, and comply with all legal requirements. If you are concerned that your business’s website isn’t accessible for all customers, hire a professional in website design in Auckland. An expert will be able to help you look at key aspects of your website and make them more accessible and user-friendly for those with and without disabilities.