The Real Value of Website Audits & Digital Accessibility

Accessibility improvements often create a better user experience for all users, not just those with disabilities. For example, clear and concise language benefits everyone, including people with cognitive disabilities and those who speak English as a second language. Captions on videos benefit people who are deaf or hard of hearing, as well as those watching in noisy environments or without headphones. Well-structured content with descriptive headings and proper formatting makes it easier for everyone to navigate and understand your website. By designing for accessibility, you’re ultimately designing for a better overall user experience, which benefits everyone.

The disability market is massive, representing over 1 billion people globally and trillions of dollars in disposable income. By making your digital products accessible, you’re not just fulfilling a moral obligation, you’re tapping into a significant and often overlooked market segment. Consider that people with disabilities often influence the purchasing decisions of their families and friends, further amplifying your reach. When you prioritize accessibility, you demonstrate respect for this valuable customer base and invite them to engage with your brand.

Many accessibility best practices overlap with SEO best practices. For instance, using semantic HTML, providing alternative text for images, and ensuring proper keyboard navigation not only improves accessibility but also helps search engines understand and index your content more effectively. This can lead to higher search engine rankings, increased organic traffic, and improved overall discoverability. Furthermore, accessible websites tend to have cleaner code and better site architecture, further contributing to improved SEO performance.

In today’s socially conscious environment, consumers actively seek out brands that align with their values. Accessibility is increasingly viewed as a core value, and demonstrating a commitment to inclusivity can significantly boost your brand reputation. When you prioritize accessibility, you send a powerful message that you care about all your customers, fostering loyalty and attracting positive media attention. Conversely, a lack of accessibility can lead to negative publicity, boycotts, and reputational damage. Proactively addressing accessibility builds trust and strengthens your brand image as a responsible and inclusive organization.

Accessibility lawsuits are on the rise, and the financial and reputational consequences can be devastating. Proactively addressing accessibility through ongoing accessibility audits and remediation significantly reduces your legal risk. By adhering to WCAG guidelines, you demonstrate a good-faith effort to comply with accessibility regulations like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the US and similar legislation in other countries. This proactive approach can help avoid costly legal battles, settlements, and damage to your brand image. Remember, accessibility is not just a nice-to-have; in many jurisdictions, it’s a legal requirement.