5 Unusual Benefits of Having an Accessible Website
Published: 2023-09-26 11:42:53

If you run a small business of any kind, you know the importance of having a website that is easy to find and use. It is also important that anyone who wants to can access your information.  The Americans with Disabilities Act mandates that your website be accessible to differently-abled people. 

According to [Accessibly by On The Map Marketing](https://accessiblyapp.com/), There are five unusual benefits to having an accessible website.

##1. Your Website Will be Easier to Find

A search engine’s purpose is to bring up pertinent and readable results. They look for things like how long visitors spend on each page of your site. They determine what content is easy to read based on factors such as the language used and the layout of the articles. For example, a content piece is more readable if the writer uses subsections so the reader can easily find information. 

Laws designed to protect disabled people mandate that you must provide information in a manner that is accessible to the general public and those with learning disabilities. It is best to use short sentences and avoid big words. 

Luckily, search engines look for sites with short sentences and simple language. Hence, when you comply with the law designed to protect disabled people, you will also get better search results.

##2. Good Consumer Perception

Nothing is worse for a company's reputation than a lawsuit for discrimination against disabled people or an article in the newspaper saying your site is not accessible to everyone. 

Domino’s Pizza’s reputation was damaged when a blind man sued them because he was unable to order a [pizza online](https://www.cnbc.com/2019/10/07/dominos-supreme-court.html).  When the Supreme Court voted in favor of the plaintiff, the case made the national news. 

Many consumers will only do business with companies that practice inclusivity of people of all different abilities, races, and orientations. It is best to make a policy section on your website that states your company's non-discrimination policies. 

##3. Customer Loyalty Will Improve

The internet is here to stay and you want your customers to keep visiting your site from age 25 to 75. Many people develop disabilities when they get older. Their eyesight may weaken, and they may not be able to see certain text and images the way they once did. They may not be able to use a keyboard as well as when they were young either.

Federal laws mandate that your website is accessible to those that cannot use a keyboard. It also mandates that all photo images come with alt text, which is a written description of the picture. Complying with the law will help you retain customers into their golden years.

##4. All Users Will Have a Better Experience 

For a site to be accessible, you must use a font that is large enough to be seen by people with visual impairments. There are certain background and text colors you are not allowed to use in combination. 

When you comply with the law, all of your users will have a better experience. Just because a person can see and read very small text doesn’t mean that they want to. Using bright text against a loud background will hurt your visitor’s eyes even if there is nothing wrong with their eyesight. A web design that is easy to see and read will make it easy for people to enjoy your content and stay longer. 

##5. It Will Save You Money in the Long Run

If you build a website that is not compliant, you might be subject to lawsuits and government fines. You will have to make improvements to the website to make it compliant. If you use a compliance widget from the onset, you will never have to spend extra time and money bringing your site up to standards.