Your website is your digital storefront. It’s where potential customers learn about your products, services, and even your brand’s values. But if your site isn’t accessible to everyone, you might unintentionally turn people away.
Making your website ADA-compliant means ensuring that people with disabilities can easily navigate and use your site. This includes people who rely on screen readers, voice commands, or alternative input devices. Not only is this the right thing to do, but it can also protect your business from legal trouble.
Here’s why ADA compliance should be a priority for your small business:
1. You’ll Reach More Customers
The goal of any website is to attract as many visitors as possible. But did you know that nearly 1 in 4 U.S. adults has a disability? That’s a significant number of potential customers who may have trouble using your website if it isn’t accessible.
By making your site ADA-compliant, you’re opening it up to a wider audience. People with visual, hearing, or mobility impairments, for example, will be able to browse your site and interact with your content more easily. In short, accessibility can directly lead to more customers and sales.
2. Avoid Legal Risks
ADA compliance isn’t just about being inclusive—it’s also about following the law. The Americans with Disabilities Act requires businesses to make sure their public spaces are accessible to everyone, including websites. If your site doesn’t meet ADA standards, you could face a lawsuit.
And these lawsuits are becoming more common. Even small businesses have found themselves in legal hot water over inaccessible websites. Making your site compliant helps you avoid these legal headaches and shows your customers that you care about accessibility.
3. Boost Your Brand’s Reputation
Today’s consumers are looking to support businesses that care about more than just profits. Having an ADA-compliant website shows that you’re committed to inclusivity and accessibility. It’s a strong message that you value all your customers, regardless of their abilities.
Plus, it’s not just people with permanent disabilities who benefit. Accessibility features can also help people with temporary conditions (like a broken arm) or those in challenging environments (like a loud room where they can’t hear audio).
4. Improve Your SEO
Surprisingly, making your site ADA-compliant can also improve your search engine rankings. Many of the things that make a site accessible—like alt text for images, clear headings, and easy navigation—also help search engines understand your content better. This can give your website an SEO boost, helping it show up higher in search results and bringing in more organic traffic.
Simple Solutions for ADA Compliance for Websites
If you’re worried that making your website ADA-compliant sounds too technical or expensive, don’t be. There are tools that make it much easier.
We have partnered with accessiBE to help our clients keep their websites ADA-compliant. accessiBE uses AI technology to scan and adjust your website for ADA compliance automatically. You don’t need to be a tech expert to get your site in shape.
With tools like accessiBE, achieving compliance is quick and simple, allowing you to focus on what you do best—running your business.
Action Steps
Making your small business website ADA-compliant isn’t just about avoiding lawsuits—it’s about being a responsible, inclusive business owner. It helps you reach more customers, builds your brand’s reputation, improves your SEO, and ensures you’re on the right side of the law.
And with easy-to-use solutions like accessiBE, ensuring your website is accessible is more straightforward than ever. Investing in accessibility now will pay off in the long run, both for your business and for your customers.