Building an ADA accessible website has numerous benefits, which can help organizations to increase their customer base, improve their online presence, and comply with legal regulations. In this article, we will explore why businesses should consider ADA website accessibility and the advantages of doing so.
ADA Accessible Websites Opens Doors
The first and most obvious benefit of website accessibility is the increased reach it provides. An accessible website is usable by people with disabilities, and it is estimated that they represent approximately 20% of the total population. By making your website accessible, you are opening your doors to this significant and growing market segment.
Building An Accessible Website Meets ADA Legal Requirments
Another advantage of building an accessible website is that it is a legal requirement. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mandates that businesses must provide equal access to their services, including online services. Failure to comply with this law can result in costly lawsuits and negative publicity for the business. By making your website accessible, you ensure that your business is ADA compliant and meets the 508 compliance requirements set by the government.
ADA Website Accessibility Makes Your Site Better For Everyone
Additionally, having an accessible website helps to improve the user experience for all visitors, not just those with disabilities. This is because accessible websites have a simplified design and navigation, making it easier for everyone to find what they need. This can lead to increased customer satisfaction and a higher rate of return visits.
ADA Compliance Improves Search Ranking
Accessible websites also help to improve search engine optimization (SEO). Search engines like Google are increasingly taking accessibility into account when ranking websites. By making your website accessible, you can improve your search engine ranking, which can result in more traffic and potential customers visiting your site.
Building An ADA Compliant Website Improves Site Performance
Another benefit of making a business website accessible is that it helps to improve the overall quality of the website. Accessible websites are typically well-structured, which means they load faster and are more user-friendly. This helps to reduce bounce rates, which can be a significant problem for many websites. A lower bounce rate means that users are spending more time on your website, increasing the chances that they will make a purchase or take some other action.
Building An ADA Accessible Website Promotes Inclusion
Moreover, ADA website accessibility helps to promote social responsibility and diversity. By providing equal access to everyone, businesses show that they care about the needs of all their customers, including those with disabilities. This sends a positive message about the business, which can help to increase brand awareness and build customer loyalty.
Building An ADA Compliant Website Reduces Costs
Finally, an accessible website can be more cost effective to maintain and update than an inaccessible website. This is because accessible websites are well-structured and have a consistent layout, making it easier to make changes and update content. In contrast, inaccessible websites can be difficult to navigate, which can make updates and changes more time-consuming and costly.
In conclusion…
Building an ADA accessible website has numerous benefits, including increased reach, legal compliance, improved user experience, improved search engine optimization, improved website quality, promotion of social responsibility and diversity, and cost-effectiveness. By investing in accessibility, businesses can reap the benefits of an ADA compliant website and improve their online presence, attracting more customers and building a stronger brand.
If you are interested in learning more about how you can make your current website ADA Accessible with our simple plug-in solution from Accessibe, or would like to discuss creating a new ADA compliant website from scratch, please let us know.