Why Web Accessibility Matters for Your Business in 2025

The digital landscape is evolving rapidly, and with it, the expectations of online users. In 2025, web accessibility is no longer a "nice-to-have" – it's a must-have. This isn't just about legal compliance; it's about unlocking significant business growth and enhancing your brand reputation through inclusive design.

Understanding the Importance of WCAG

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), provide a universally recognized set of standards for creating inclusive online experiences. Think of it as Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance for the internet, which it is. WCAG standards focus on four core principles:

• Perceivable: Information must be presented in ways users can perceive, including those with visual, auditory, or cognitive impairments.
• Operable: Users must be able to navigate and interact with the website effectively, regardless of their abilities.
• Understandable: Content must be presented in a clear, concise, and easily understandable manner.
• Robust: The website should function reliably with a wide range of assistive technologies, such as screen readers and keyboard navigation.

The Rise of Accessibility Lawsuits: A Legal and Financial Risk

The past few years have witnessed a surge in website accessibility lawsuits, with 2023 seeing a significant increase. Recent high-profile cases, such as those involving Domino's Pizza and Blick Art Materials, serve as stark reminders that non-compliance carries significant legal and financial risks. While large companies grab the headlines, it is important to point out that nearly 7 out of 10 accessibility lawsuits targeted small to medium-sized businesses and organizations in 2023.

Recent WCAG of note include:

• Domino's Pizza: Faced numerous lawsuits for accessibility barriers within its online ordering platforms.
• Blick Art Materials: Settled a class-action lawsuit related to inaccessible online shopping features.
• Sweetgreen: In early 2024, this fast-casual restaurant chain was sued for alleged WCAG violations on its website, making it difficult for people with visual impairments to navigate and order.
• Barnes & Noble: This major bookstore chain has faced multiple lawsuits related to the accessibility of its website and mobile app.
• Parkwood Entertainment: Beyoncé's media company was sued in 2019 for alleged violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regarding the accessibility of her website, Beyonce.com.The lawsuit claimed that the website was not accessible to people with significant vision impairments.
• Kramer Knives: This small, custom knifemaker was sued for alleged WCAG violations on their website, making it difficult for people with visual impairments to navigate and purchase products. This shows that small, local businesses are no longer immune from this growing trend.

These cases underscore the critical need for proactive compliance. Ignoring accessibility risks not only exposes your business to costly litigation but also alienates a substantial portion of your potential customer base by offering them a poor customer experience (CX).

Unlocking Business Growth Through Accessibility

Investing in web accessibility isn't just about avoiding legal trouble; it's a strategic decision with significant business benefits:

1. Reaching a Wider Audience:
   • Approximately 1 billion people globally live with disabilities.
   • In the U.S., this translates to roughly 26% of the adult population.
   • By prioritizing accessibility, you open your doors to this substantial and often-overlooked market segment.
   • Features like alternative text (alt text) for images, keyboard navigation, and screen reader compatibility ensure your website is usable for everyone, including individuals with visual impairments, motor disabilities, and cognitive differences.
      
2. Boosting Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Performance:
   • Accessible websites are inherently more search engine friendly.
   • Descriptive alt text, clear navigation, and well-structured content enhance user experience (UX), which is a key factor in Google's search algorithms.
   • By improving accessibility, you directly impact your search engine rankings, driving more organic traffic to your website.
      
3. Enhancing Your Brand Reputation:
   • Consumers are increasingly drawn to businesses that demonstrate social responsibility.
   • Prioritizing accessibility showcases your commitment to inclusivity and equality, fostering a positive brand image and building customer loyalty among socially conscious consumers.
      
4. Driving Conversions and Reducing Bounce Rates:
   • Accessible websites are easier to navigate and understand, leading to improved user experience, reduced bounce rates, and higher conversion rates.
   • Studies have shown that accessible websites can experience a significant increase in click-through rates and conversions.
      
5. Future-Proofing Your Business:
   • With the rapid evolution of technology and the increasing reliance on digital platforms, accessibility will only become more critical.
   • By investing in WCAG compliance today, you ensure your business remains adaptable and future-proof in the ever-changing digital landscape.

The Cost of Inaction: Beyond Legal Fees

The financial implications of non-compliance extend beyond legal fees and settlements.

• Reputational Damage: Lawsuits and negative publicity can severely damage your brand's reputation, leading to customer churn, revenue loss, and added expenses related to brand reputation management.
• Lost Opportunities: Inaccessible websites limit your reach and exclude a significant portion of your potential customer base, resulting in missed revenue opportunities.

A Roadmap to WCAG Compliance

Achieving WCAG compliance is an ongoing process, but it doesn't have to be daunting. Here's a practical roadmap:

1. Conduct a Website Accessibility Audit:
   • Thoroughly evaluate your website against WCAG standards using a combination of manual testing and automated tools.
   • Identify areas for improvement, such as missing alt text, inadequate color contrast, and limited keyboard navigation.
   • Get a free WCAG status report from Global Reach to see your level of compliance.
2. Implement Necessary Changes:
   • Work closely with your development team to address identified accessibility issues.
   • Prioritize critical fixes and implement changes iteratively.
3. Test with Assistive Technologies:
   • Use screen readers, keyboard navigation, and other assistive technologies to test your website from the perspective of users with disabilities.
4. Train Your Team:
   • Educate your team on accessibility best practices to ensure ongoing compliance and prevent future issues.
5. Engage Accessibility Experts:
   • Consider partnering with accessibility experts and utilizing specialized software to ensure your content remains compliant with the latest accessibility requirements.

Real-World Success Stories

Many businesses have successfully implemented accessibility initiatives and reaped the rewards:

• Target: Following an early accessibility lawsuit, Target invested heavily in website accessibility, resulting in increased online sales and enhanced customer satisfaction.
• Virgin America: The airline's commitment to accessibility garnered significant positive attention and attracted a broader customer base, demonstrating the return on investment (ROI) of accessibility efforts.

Become WCAG Compliance Now

In today's digital world, web accessibility is not just a legal requirement; it's an element of strategic marketing for businesses of all sizes. By prioritizing inclusivity and creating an accessible online experience, you can unlock significant business growth, enhance your brand reputation, and build a loyal customer base.

The time to act is now. Since the new WCAG 2.2 rules rolled out in October 2023, many formerly compliant websites are now considered inaccessible. Now is a great time to start your journey toward attaining WCAG compliance.  As Iowa’s website accessibility experts, Global Reach has helped clients across dozens of industries reach and maintain compliance with WCAG regulations. Contact Global Reach today for a FREE WEBSITE ACCESSIBILITY REPORT and begin reaping the rewards of a more inclusive, user-friendly, and successful online presence.