In an increasingly competitive marketplace, it has become essential for all businesses to ensure that their products and services reach as many customers as possible. Accessibility helps all types of businesses expand their market share and become more valuable to customers.
In this article, we will discuss both physical and digital accessibility and why it makes compelling business sense for companies to work towards achieving both.
What is digital accessibility?
Digital accessibility refers to how well a website, online platform, or mobile application can be used by different types of users, including persons with disability. Users with hearing or visual impairments or those with cognitive or motor impairments should be able to access information and interact with a business online, just like anyone else.
The benefits of accessibility for businesses
1. Accessibility drives innovation
Many of today’s technologies, such as voice-enabled devices and products built upon artificial intelligence and machine learning are, in part, the result of removing barriers for persons with disabilities. With time, these innovations became popular amongst the masses and are now used by everyone.
2. Digital accessibility improves SEO
Accessible content and search-engine-optimized content are intertwined. Providing accessible content improves your SEO ranking because search engine algorithms assign a higher value to accessible websites. More importantly, an accessible site makes it easier for users to find what they’re looking for or achieve what they want to do, helping you reach and grow your target audience.
3. Digital accessibility improves brand image
A commitment to accessibility conveys a genuine sense of Corporate Social Responsibility, which can improve the brand image and reputation of a company. It can also encourage workforce diversity and customer loyalty, leading to increased sales and better performance.
4. Digital accessibility helps avoid lawsuits
Access to digital services is protected by law, and many organizations are responding to the increase in accessibility-related lawsuits by adopting accessibility practices and policies to avoid legal risk. Companies that implement better accessibility policies and programs are better able to prevent legal issues and the associated costs, protecting both their reputation and bottom line.
5. Digital accessibility leads to cleaner code
Developing with accessibility in mind encourages better coding practices and documentation.
This means less time, money, and manpower spent on fixing issues. As your online applications and services become more user-friendly and accessible, customers will be more likely to choose your website and services over a competitor's.
Concluding thoughts
There is a strong rationale behind why forward-looking companies prioritize accessibility. As consumers move to embrace and endorse inclusive and accessible products and services, companies that integrate digital accessibility in their overall business strategy are more likely to outperform competitors that aren’t doing the same.
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