Why Accessibility Should Be a Core Part of Your Website Strategy

In today’s digital-first world, a business’s website is a key driver of growth and customer engagement. However, many businesses overlook a crucial aspect of their digital strategy—accessibility. Accessibility is often seen as a legal requirement or a box to check, but it should be viewed as a strategic advantage. Ensuring your website is accessible not only helps you comply with regulations but also opens the door to new opportunities, greater audience reach, and a stronger brand reputation.

Increased Audience Reach

Website accessibility isn’t just about meeting legal requirements—it’s a strategic move that expands your audience and enhances user engagement. According to the CDC, more than 1 in 4 adults in the United States are living with some form of disability—that’s over 28% of the population! Ensuring your website is accessible opens your business up to a significant, often overlooked market. Features like keyboard navigation, screen reader compatibility, and properly structured content make your website easier to use for people with disabilities, but they also improve usability for everyone, including those with temporary impairments or users accessing your site on mobile devices.

By prioritizing accessibility, you remove barriers for all users, broadening your customer base and increasing your market share. Accessible websites are easier to navigate, more intuitive, and offer a better user experience, which can ultimately lead to greater customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Improved Search Engine Optimization

Accessibility and search engine optimization (SEO) go hand in hand. Search engines like Google prioritize accessible websites because they typically feature cleaner, more organized code, making it easier for search engines to crawl and index content. For instance, properly using HTML heading tags to structure content improves accessibility by enabling screen readers and assistive technologies to navigate the website more effectively. This practice also benefits SEO, as it helps search engines understand the content’s hierarchy and relevance, leading to better indexing and potentially higher search rankings.

To learn more about HTML heading tags and the benefits of improving your website's heading structure, be sure to check out our article HTML Headings: Why They Matter.

Stronger Brand Reputation

Incorporating accessibility into your website demonstrates that your business values inclusivity and is committed to serving all customers. In a socially conscious market, consumers are more likely to trust and remain loyal to brands that embrace diversity. A 2021 study conducted by Meta showed that 59% of consumers preferred to buy from brands that champion diversity and inclusion. By ensuring your website is accessible, you can foster a more positive brand image that resonates with a broader audience.

Legal Protection

As legislation around website accessibility continues to evolve, businesses face an increasing risk of legal challenges if they fail to comply with accessibility standards. In recent years, there has been a significant rise in web accessibility lawsuits. In 2023, there were over 4,060 web accessibility lawsuits filed in the United States — that’s more than 11 each day.

Website accessibility should be a core part of your digital strategy, offering benefits beyond legal compliance, such as increased audience reach, improved SEO, a stronger brand reputation, and legal protection. By prioritizing accessibility from the start, you create a more inclusive online experience for all users, ensuring your website serves everyone and helping your business thrive in the long term.

Need help making your website more accessible? Contact us today!