Why having an accessible website is important
- William J.O
- Oct 1
- 3 min read
Why having an accessible website is important in today’s digital space
In the digital world everyone deserves to use websites with ease. But many sites today still leave people behind. An accessible website means people of all abilities can find, understand and use the content. That covers people with vision, hearing, motor, cognitive impairments and others, as well as older users or people in temporary difficulty. Designing for accessibility is not just a moral choice. It brings many benefits for your business too.
The Legal and Ethical Case
In the UK, laws require equal access. The Equality Act 2010 makes it unlawful to discriminate against people because of disability. That law covers websites when they offer goods, services or information to the public. 
Public sector bodies must meet the international Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) standard, currently version 2.2 at level AA. 
Beyond legal risk, there is an ethical side. When your website is accessible you show you care about all your customers. That builds trust and lets people know they are welcome. It also shows your values in action.
How Accessibility Improves Business Performance
Making a site accessible is also a smart business move. These are some of the ways it helps:
Reach more people: Approximately 15-20 % of the global population has some form of disability. Accessible websites open doors to a wider audience.
Boost SEO and visibility: Accessibility features like alt text for images, clear headings, logical structure, good contrast and fast loading are also things search engines reward. These help your site rank better and attract more organic traffic.
Improve user experience (UX): When people can navigate easily, read content without strain, use keyboard navigation if needed, they stay longer, engage more and are more likely to convert. Enhancing usability usually means fewer frustrations and lower bounce rates.
Protect your reputation and reduce risk: Poor accessibility can lead to criticism, legal complaints or worse. An audit or regular review helps you stay compliant and demonstrates you are taking responsibility. 
Quick Actions to Make Your Website More Accessible
Here are a few practical steps you can take now to improve accessibility. These are low-cost but often make a big difference:
Provide descriptive alt text for images so screen readers can explain them.
Ensure good colour contrast between text and background so people with visual impairments can read easily.
Make sure navigation works via keyboard alone (for those who cannot use a mouse).
Use headings properly (H1, H2, H3 etc) so the structure of content is clear.
Add captions or transcripts to audio or video content.
These are changes many of your competitors may not have fully implemented yet, so doing them well can give you an edge.
How Accessibility Supports SEO and Marketing
Search engines aim to serve users what they want. If users cannot access content or leave quickly because of poor design, that sends a signal to search engines that your site is not satisfying user needs. Accessibility helps you avoid that. Clean code, fast loading, clear navigation, responsive design, all these are both accessibility best practices and SEO best practices. 
Also, people are more likely to recommend or share websites that are usable and inclusive. Word of mouth, social sharing, positive feedback all contribute to increased trust and traffic.
Long-Term Value and Competitive Advantage
Making your site accessible is not just a one-off task. It is an investment in your future. As regulations such as WCAG become more widely accepted, customers grow more aware and expect inclusion. Early adopters of accessibility often benefit from being seen as more trustworthy, inclusive and forward thinking.
If your competitors are slow to act, having an accessible website can set you apart. It can lead to better reviews, stronger customer loyalty, and fewer complaints.
Conclusion and How I Can Help
The TL:DR of why having an accessible website is important:
It is required by law in many jurisdictions including the UK.
It opens your site to more people.
It improves user experience and SEO.
It protects and enhances your brand.
If you want to make your website more inclusive or ensure it complies with current guidelines, I can help. I offer SEO audits which also cover all things accessibility. Please get in touch and I will happily review your site and suggest clear steps to improve accessibility.
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