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Why Web Accessibility Is Important For Your Business [+6 Tips]

Aug 18, 2022

If you’re in the web design business, you know that having an accessible website is now more important than ever. And web design clients expect their agency (you) to be in charge of it.


But digital accessibility isn’t a piece of cake.


You have to take multiple things into consideration.


And that’s what we’ll delve into in this post.


Buckle up, and let’s learn about website accessibility.


WHAT IS WEB ACCESSIBILITY?


The first thing to clear up: what does accessibility mean?


Simply put, website accessibility is making sure everyone can access and use a website, no matter their disabilities.


An accessible website can be used by people with all types of disabilities:



  • Those with visual impairments or color blindness
  • Those with auditory disabilities
  • Those who must navigate by voice
  • Those with cognitive disabilities,
  • Those with temporary disabilities
  • Those who need to use screen readers or other assistive technologies.


According to the World Wide Web Consortium (WCG) an accessible website must be perceivable, operable, understandable and robust for these users. 


In the US, accessibility requirements are listed in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) which “prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in the activities of places of public accommodations.”


In a nutshell: Web accessibility is equal access and usability of a website, no matter the user’s disabilities.


WHY IS WEB ACCESSIBILITY IMPORTANT


Of course, the first reason why one should create an accessible website is to ensure their website isn’t discriminatory towards people with disabilities.


But it also comes with a number of other perks.


If everyone can access and use your clients’ web pages, that means:


More traffic: a larger audience can access the websites. (26% of adults in the United States have some type of disability.)


More sales and conversions: Since the site gets more traffic, it gets more conversions too.

Better search engine optimization (SEO): More traffic, a better bounce rate, all sends positive feedback to search engines.


Better user experience: Accessible content and accessible design is user-friendly, so it’s easier to navigate and understand for everyone.


No legal accessibility issues: Needless to say, you don’t want to be sued for owning a website that doesn’t comply with accessibility regulations.


HOW CAN I MAKE A WEBSITE ACCESSIBLE?


To make a website accessible, the widely accepted standard is the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). The Web Accessibility Initiative of the World Wide Web Consortium developed WCAG with the goal of creating a shared accessibility standard for the web. There are two versions of WCAG applied currently: WCAG 2.0 and 2.1. WCAG 2.0 was published in 2008 and became an ISO standard in 2012. WCAG 2.1 was published in 2018.


There are a few accessibility solutions to keep in mind so that your website may be compliant. 


Here are some easy web accessibility tips that should help you get started:

Correctly structuring your page using different headings (H1, H2, H3).


Adding alternative text (alt text) to your images so that the visually impaired can know what’s portrayed.


Providing text transcripts and closed captions for audio and video content: podcasts, videos, webinars.


Having a keyboard navigation so that all functionality is available from a keyboard and the use of a mouse or trackpad isn’t required.


Using Accessible Rich Internet Applications (ARIA); a set of HTML attributes that define ways to make Web content and Web applications more accessible to people with disabilities.


Providing good color contrast so that users that have a hard time perceiving text can see your website content better. You can use tools such as TPGi’s free color contrast checker tool or ColorZilla to determine if the color contrast is sufficient. 


There are also numerous resources you can consult to help make compliant websites, such as:


US DOJ Guidance on Accessibility and the ADA


WCAG 2.0


W3C WAI: Introduction to Web Accessibility

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Boost Your Small Business Success: Why Updating Your Website in 2023 is Crucial for SEO

16 May, 2023
In today's digital age, having a solid online presence is vital for the success of small businesses. A well-designed, user-friendly website helps you attract and engage potential customers and plays a crucial role in search engine optimization (SEO). In 2023, with evolving technology and changing consumer preferences, updating your website is more important than ever. In this article, we'll explore why small businesses must prioritize website updates this year to stay competitive and maximize their SEO efforts. Enhance User Experience: User experience (UX) is critical to website performance and SEO. As search engines become more sophisticated, they prioritize websites that provide excellent user experiences. Updating your website can improve navigation, load times, and mobile responsiveness, creating a seamless and enjoyable experience for your visitors. A positive UX will result in longer visit durations, lower bounce rates, and increased chances of conversion, all of which contribute to improved search engine rankings. Stay Ahead of Design Trends: Website design trends evolve rapidly, and outdated websites can appear unprofessional and drive potential customers away. Upgrading your website's design in 2023 allows you to incorporate the latest visual elements, modern layouts, and engaging multimedia content that captivate your target audience. A visually appealing and contemporary website reflects positively on your brand, increasing customer trust and credibility and ultimately improving your SEO efforts. Optimize for Mobile: Mobile internet usage has been steadily increasing, and search engines now prioritize mobile-friendly websites in their search results. Ensuring your website is optimized for mobile devices is crucial for SEO success in 2023. Responsive design, fast loading speeds, and easy navigation on smartphones and tablets will improve user experience and increase your website's visibility on search engine result pages (SERPs). By updating your website to be mobile-friendly, you can tap into a wider audience and boost your SEO rankings. Leverage Voice Search Optimization: The rise of voice-activated devices and virtual assistants has significantly impacted search behavior. More users are turning to voice search to find information, products, and services. To stay competitive, small businesses must optimize their websites for voice search in 2023. Upgrading your website to include conversational and natural language keywords, structured data markup, and concise, informative content tailored to voice queries will help you rank higher in voice search results, leading to increased organic traffic and visibility. Implement Structured Data Markup: Structured data markup, or schema markup, provides search engines with additional context about your website's content. By incorporating schema markup into your updated website, you can enhance search engine understanding, increase visibility in rich snippets, and improve click-through rates. Structured data can highlight key information such as product details, business hours, reviews, and events, making your website more informative and enticing for users and search engines. In 2023, updating your small business website is essential for maintaining a competitive edge and optimizing your SEO efforts. By enhancing user experience, adopting modern design trends, optimizing for mobile devices and voice search, and implementing structured data markup, you can position your website for success. Embrace the evolving digital landscape, cater to changing consumer preferences, and watch your website rise in search engine rankings, driving organic traffic and boosting your small business's growth and profitability.
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