Digital Accessibility: Why It Matters for Online Businesses and E-Commerce Platforms

A work desk with monitor

Alright, listen up, because I’m only saying this once. Digital accessibility isn’t just some fluffy HR buzzword; it’s crucial. If you’re running an online business or an e-commerce platform and you’re not thinking about it, you might as well pack up and head back to the Stone Age. Let’s dive into why you need to care about this, with a few jokes to keep you awake.

What is Digital Accessibility?

Alright, listen up. Digital accessibility means making sure your websites, apps, and digital nonsense isn’t a nightmare for people with disabilities. It’s about making sure everyone – yes, even your nan who still uses Internet Explorer – can navigate, understand, and interact with your site. Think of it like this: you wouldn’t open a pub with a “No Blind People” sign, would you? If you do, you’re a moron. The same logic applies to the digital world.

Why Should Online Businesses Care About Digital Accessibility?

Unless you enjoy alienating 15% of the world’s population, it’s a no-brainer. Here’s why:

  1. Broader Audience Reach: Over a billion people in the world have some form of disability. Ignore them, and you’re turning away a billion potential customers! It is like running a restaurant and saying, “No thanks, vegans, your money’s no good here.” Genius business move, right?
  2. Improved SEO: An accessible site is an SEO-friendly site. Proper headings, alt text, and link descriptions boost your visibility on search engines. So, if you want Google to love you as much as you love yourself, start caring about accessibility.
  3. Enhanced User Experience: Accessible sites aren’t just for people with disabilities. Clear navigation, readable text and easy-to-use features make everyone’s life easier – It’s like organizing a gig. Everyone’s happier when they can find the bar, the loo, and their seat without hassle. If they can’t, they’re leaving and never coming back.

Example: Look at Apple. They’ve got VoiceOver for visually impaired users and closed captions for the hearing impaired. This isn’t just good PR; it’s good business. Plus, it means their stuff is usable by more people, which translates to more sales.

What Are the Key Elements of Digital Accessibility?

Perceivable Information: Your content needs to be understandable to all users. This means adding text descriptions to images, captions for videos, and making sure your site works with screen readers. It’s like having subtitles for your stand-up show – It opens it up to a wider audience.

Operable Interface: People should be able to use your site in different ways. That means it should work with a keyboard, not just a mouse. Imagine telling someone they can’t watch your comedy special unless they use a remote control. Ridiculous, right?

Understandable Content: Your site needs to be easy to understand. Use plain language, give clear instructions, and make sure things behave as expected. It’s like giving directions to your granny – simple, straightforward, and without any jargon.

Robust and Compatible: Your content should work on all devices and browsers, including assistive tech. It’s like making sure your jokes land whether you’re performing in a tiny pub or a massive arena. No excuses.

What Are Some Examples of Accessible Features?

Alternative Text for Images: Describe your images so screen readers can tell visually impaired users what’s there. Think of it as a running commentary for a blindfolded mate at a football match.

Captions and Transcripts: Add captions to your videos and provide transcripts for audio content. It’s like having a sign language interpreter at your gig – it makes sure everyone can enjoy the show.

Keyboard Navigation: Make sure your site works with just a keyboard. Some people can’t use a mouse, and they shouldn’t be left out. It’s like making sure your venue has ramps as well as stairs.

Readable Fonts and Colors: Use clear fonts and high-contrast colors. If your audience can’t read your jokes, they won’t laugh. Simple as that.

What Are the Consequences of Ignoring Digital Accessibility?

  1. Legal Penalties: Expect lawsuits and fines. If you think lawyers are expensive, try ignoring accessibility laws. And trust me, getting sued is about as much fun as a punch in the face. Plus, it’s bad for business and even worse for your stress levels.
  2. Lost Revenue: By not making your website accessible, you’re saying goodbye to a sizable chunk of the market. It’s like opening a shop and refusing to sell to redheads. Smart move.
  3. Brand Reputation Damage: Neglect accessibility, and you’ll get bad press. People will talk, and not in a good way. People value inclusivity and ethical practices, and if you’re not on board, they’ll go elsewhere. Bad publicity will stick to you like rotten eggs on a hot day.
  4. Operational Inefficiencies: An inaccessible site means higher customer support costs. People will need help doing things that should be simple, costing you time and money. Madness!

Examples: In 2018, Target settled a lawsuit for $6 million because their website was about as welcoming as a haunted house. They learned the hard way that ignoring accessibility is costly in more ways than one.

In 2019, Domino’s Pizza got sued because their website was about as accessible as a fortress. The U.S. Supreme Court let the lawsuit proceed, showing that even pizza isn’t above the law. So, unless you want a Supreme Court date, get your act together.

How Can Online Businesses Improve Digital Accessibility?

Implementing digital accessibility isn’t rocket science. Here’s how:

  1. Conduct Accessibility Audits: Find out what’s broken. Tools like WAVE or AXE can show you where you’ve messed up. It’s like rehearsing your set – iron out the kinks before the big performance. If you don’t do this, you’re just lazy.
  2. Follow Accessibility Guidelines: Stick to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). Aim for WCAG 2.1 Level AA. It’s like a recipe for a cake – follow it, and you’ll get a decent result.
  3. Train Staff on Accessibility: Make sure your designers, developers, and content creators know the importance of accessibility. It’s like training your crew – everyone needs to know their role for the show to run smoothly. If they don’t, that’s on you.
  4. Inclusive Design Practices: Start thinking about accessibility from the get-go. Utilize tools that support accessibility, like accessible color palettes and screen reader testing. High-contrast colors, keyboard navigability, and text alternatives for images are a good start. If you don’t, you’re just setting yourself up to fail. 
  5. Involve Users with Disabilities: Include people with disabilities in usability testing. They’ll tell you what’s working and what’s not, which is more than your ‘yes men’ will do. It’s like getting feedback from a tough audience – invaluable for improvement. Don’t be an ignorant moron.

Example: Microsoft’s Inclusive Design toolkit is a treasure trove. They’ve made it easy to create accessible products, emphasizing that users with disabilities should be part of the design process. Because who better to tell you what’s needed than the people who actually need it?

Conclusion: Why should businesses prioritize digital accessibility right now?

Because unless you enjoy legal trouble, lost revenue, and a tarnished reputation, it’s the smart thing to do. Prioritizing accessibility means more customers, better SEO, and happier users. Ignoring it? Well, that’s just begging for trouble.

So, don’t be a terrible act. Make your digital presence accessible and watch your business thrive in an inclusive, diverse marketplace. If you don’t, you’ll only have yourself to blame when the lawsuits roll in and your customers walk out. So, let’s get it right, and make sure no one is left out of the digital party. Cheers!

Scroll to Top