Creating an accessible website is not just a regulatory requirement; it’s an ethical responsibility and a significant opportunity for businesses. Accessibility ensures that all users, including those with disabilities, can navigate and interact with your site effectively. Here’s why accessibility matters and how to prioritize it in your web development process.

Understanding Accessibility Standards
Web accessibility standards, such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), provide a framework for making websites usable for everyone. These guidelines focus on various aspects, including text alternatives for images, keyboard navigation, and color contrast. By adhering to these standards, businesses can ensure compliance while enhancing the user experience for all.

Widening Your Audience
An accessible website opens your brand to a broader audience. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 15% of the global population lives with some form of disability. By making your website accessible, you can engage with a significant segment of the market that might otherwise be excluded. For example, a retail brand that implements accessibility features saw a 20% increase in overall sales as they attracted more customers, including those with disabilities.

Improving SEO Performance
There’s a strong correlation between accessibility and SEO. Search engines favor websites that provide a good user experience, and accessibility features contribute to that. For instance, using descriptive alt text for images not only helps visually impaired users but also improves your site’s SEO. A client we worked with that improved their accessibility practices reported a noticeable uptick in search engine rankings, driving more organic traffic to their site.

Conducting Accessibility Audits
Regular accessibility audits are essential for identifying barriers within your website. Conducting accessibility audits are essential for identifying barriers within your website. Use tools like WAVE or axe to evaluate your site’s accessibility and uncover issues that may hinder user experience. At SELTech, we emphasize the importance of thorough audits. For example, during an audit for a financial services client, we discovered several navigation issues that made it difficult for users with disabilities to access crucial information. By addressing these issues, the client not only improved their compliance but also enhanced overall user satisfaction.

Training Your Team
Building accessible websites starts with educating your development and design teams. Provide training on accessibility best practices and encourage a culture of inclusivity within your organization. This ensures that accessibility is prioritized throughout the design and development process. For instance, we organized workshops for a healthcare provider’s team, focusing on creating accessible forms and content, resulting in a more user-friendly website that catered to all patients.

Utilizing Assistive Technologies
Incorporating features that support assistive technologies, such as screen readers and voice recognition, is vital for accessibility. Design your website with these technologies in mind, ensuring compatibility and ease of use. For example, a client in the e-learning space implemented features that made their courses compatible with screen readers, significantly improving the experience for visually impaired students and widening their reach.

User Testing with Diverse Groups
Engaging users with disabilities in the testing phase is crucial. Conduct usability tests to gather feedback from individuals with various disabilities, allowing you to identify real-world challenges they face. A tech company we partnered with incorporated user testing with diverse groups during their website revamp, leading to valuable insights that informed design decisions and ultimately resulted in a more accessible platform.

Building accessible websites is not just a legal obligation; it’s an opportunity to demonstrate your brand’s commitment to inclusivity and customer satisfaction. By prioritizing accessibility, you can enhance user experience, expand your audience, and boost your brand reputation. If you’re ready to make your website more accessible, contact SELTech for a free SEO audit and let’s work together to create an inclusive digital space.