5 Other Benefits of ADA Compliance for SouthCoast Businesses
5 Other Benefits of ADA Compliance for SouthCoast Businesses
Business owners who are searching for a reason to improve website accessibility for their company site don’t have to look too hard to find the benefits of ADA compliance. While this article focuses on five primary examples, it could be argued that there are dozens more. Ecommerce websites and ADA lawsuits notwithstanding, ADA compliant websites can offer many advantages. A well-designed website that is effectively managed and kept relevant through the posting of fresh content that is effectively targeted for the search engines will continue to drive traffic and increase reach for your business website for many years to come.
Benefit #1 – People Helping People
Why wouldn’t you want to ensure that your website was accessible for visitors who have a disability? Studies reveal that approximately one-in-five Americans have some sort of disability that is covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act. However, other information shows that only as much as ten percent of the internet is fully accessible. For those dealing with a disability that makes it challenging to navigate, use, and interact with web-based content, this can be frustrating and even cause the person feel excluded from tools, resources, and opportunities that others may take for granted. The bottom line is that you should WANT to make sure that anyone who wants to visit your business website can not only view your content, but can also use it in the way it was intended to make purchases, research prices, interact with customer service agents, and order services.
Benefit #2 – Reduce Liability Risk
There is an inherent risk in not making sure that your website is ADA compliant. There has been a more than 200 percent increase in cases of ecommerce websites and ADA lawsuits. When it comes right down to it, one of the major benefits of ADA compliance is protecting your business from litigation. Many well-known brands and figures across the country have been targeted for legal attacks due to their website accessibility issues. This can mean a significant loss of both time and money as your company rushes to become compliant and deals with lawyers demanding fees or judges awarding fines. You can avoid this altogether by taking the steps necessary to ensure that your website is ADA compliant and that it stays so in the future.
Benefit #3 – Increase Traffic and Sales
When you open up your website to new potential traffic of any kind, you can also expect to see a boost in revenue. Creating ADA compliant websites means that you can now market to that previously neglected 20 percent of American shoppers with your products and services. With many more people now relying on mobile ordering for everything from food and grocery delivery to purchasing travel tickets and reserving hotel rooms, it is more essential than ever to ensure that people with disabilities can access your website. Imagine going to a website that was not accessible when you are trying to buy goods and services. Website accessibility is like opening your organization’s virtual doors to a whole new demographic of customers who will feel welcomed and excited to be able to interact with your website without coming up against the challenges that they face on other business websites.
Benefit #4 – Improve SEO
Studies show that some of the other benefits of ADA compliance can include improved search engine optimization or SEO for your website. The increased attention to the use of alternative text for images can contribute to more consistent and improved SEO results from the major search engines. The alternative text is used for audio programs designed to help visually-impaired customers read the content on the website. Alternative text should describe what is in the image, providing an enhanced experience for all visitors, just as it would for those who do not have visual impairments. This part of website accessibility helps to create a more well-rounded experience for everyone who visits your website.
Benefit #5 – It’s Good for Your Brand
Taking the steps necessary to ensure website accessibility doesn’t just provide protection for ecommerce websites and ADA lawsuits but also helps to show that your brand is socially responsible. Studies show that young adults expect the brands they trust to go above and beyond to be inclusive. What better way to prove your commitment than to create ADA compliant websites that feature tools that can be used by anyone with any type of disability. This helps to put your company on track for the future without concerns about compliance issues, new laws, or responsibility requirements. Instead, you can reap the benefits of ADA compliance today without worrying about what might come back on you tomorrow if you do not take this necessary step today.
Advanced Website Accessibility Solution
At SouthCoast Internet, we have found an affordable, simple, and robust solution designed to create and maintain ADA compliant websites. It uses artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning web accessibility to develop websites that are intuitive and accessible. We are prepared to help our clients implement this automated solution on their websites to ensure ADA compliance. If you would like to add this service to your website, please contact our team directly at 508-415-8648. You can also visit our website for more information about this solution and how it works.