Your client doubts the value of website accessibility. How can you persuade them to prioritize it?

1 Legal Compliance

Ensuring that a website meets accessibility standards isn't just good practice; it's a legal requirement in many jurisdictions. By aligning with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), you help protect your client from potential lawsuits and fines. These guidelines are designed to make web content more accessible to people with disabilities, including blindness and low vision, deafness and hearing loss, limited movement, speech disabilities, photosensitivity, and combinations of these. Compliance with WCAG can safeguard your client's business and enhance their reputation as a company that cares about all customers.

2 User Experience

A key aspect of web design is providing an optimal user experience for all visitors. An accessible website ensures that people with disabilities can navigate and interact with the site effectively, which translates to a positive experience for a broader audience. By prioritizing accessibility, your client shows they value every user's experience, which can lead to increased customer loyalty and word-of-mouth referrals. Plus, many accessibility improvements, such as clear navigation and transcript for videos, benefit all users, not just those with disabilities.

3 Market Reach

Expanding your client's market reach is a compelling reason to prioritize website accessibility. Approximately 15% of the world's population experiences some form of disability. By making their website accessible, your client taps into a significant market segment that is often overlooked. This can lead to an increase in traffic and potential conversions, as users with disabilities are more likely to return to and recommend websites that accommodate their needs. Accessible design can thus be seen as a smart business strategy to engage with an untapped audience.

5 Brand Image

An accessible website sends a strong message about your client's brand values. It shows that they are inclusive and committed to providing equal access to all users. This can significantly enhance their brand image and set them apart from competitors who may not prioritize accessibility. By investing in accessibility, your client demonstrates corporate social responsibility, which can resonate with customers and stakeholders who value ethical business practices. This can lead to greater customer trust and a stronger brand reputation.

6 Future Proofing

Technology and user habits are constantly evolving, and an accessible website is more adaptable to future changes. By adhering to accessibility standards now, your client is preparing their website for upcoming tech advancements and ensuring it remains usable for all users regardless of how they access the internet. This foresight can save your client money and time in the long run as they won't need to make significant overhauls to keep up with accessibility requirements or new devices and browsers that people with disabilities may use to access their site.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?