With more people relying on the internet for their everyday activities such as shopping, education, communication, and other activities, web accessibility is also becoming increasingly important. A good way to display equal access to all your website users, most especially those with disabilities is to incorporate a Web Accessibility Icon. Having a web accessibility icon simply means that you care for all your users, regardless of their abilities.
Furthermore, it improves your reputation as well as your credibility as a business. As you establish your credibility and reputation, you also draw in more potential customers who prefer inclusivity and accessibility thus also improving customer loyalty.
Having a Web Accessibility Icon added to your website creates a positive impact to your business and also to your users. In addition to the importance of a Web Accessibility Icon mentioned above, here are 15 more reasons why you should get a website accessibility icon on your website.
What you need to know about Web Accessibility Icon
In simple definition, a Web Accessibility Icon is a symbol or signage that represents web accessibility. This icon simply states that your website is ADA compliant. It is an icon that is well understood by all page visitors regardless of their disabilities, impairments, as well as their other limitations. The icon ensures that the visitor understands all information provided on a page and has access to all available services, features, and functions.
For a web accessibility icon to be effective and functional, the website should be:
Perceivable – the information as well as the components of the user interface should be provided in such a way that is perceivable by users. As well, it should be easy to find on a page.
Operable – all components and navigation should be operable by the general user.
Understandable – all provided information as well as operation should be easily understood by the general user without the need for technical knowledge or skills.
Robust – lastly, the website information and content should be up-to-date as well as competitive with other websites or its competitions. Although a website is designed in consideration to users with disabilities, the general user should still feel satisfied with the services, as well as information being offered in the website or platform.
Reasons you Should Get the Web Accessibility Icon on your Website
Regardless if you simply want to grow the number of your audiences or establish a name in your industry, a web accessibility icon on your website is definitely a must have. Along with these reasons, we’ve listed a few other reasons that could make investing in a web accessibility icon worth it.
- Promote inclusivity
Having a web accessibility icon provides equal access to features, services, opportunities, and resources to all users regardless of their disabilities. According to recent statistics, 90% of websites today are inaccessible to people with disabilities, which translates to losses of potential clients or customers for businesses. A web accessibility icon immediately gives easy access to users with disabilities and allows them to join and be with the general public users.
- Demonstrate Social Responsibility
By having a web accessibility icon on your website, you are demonstrating your involvement as well as cooperation with the community in order to achieve sustainability and better future for the next generation. In a nutshell, having a web accessibility icon on your page means you care and want to improve your community and the society.
- Improve website usability
In the first place, any website, page, or information on the internet is designed to give access to those who are unable to take hold of the information through ordinary methods. A website that considers all users’ situations, location, and disabilities makes it more user-friendly for everyone thus making the website more usable as well as dependable.
- Reach a wider audience
The number of users with disabilities rise through the years as the population increases. Furthermore, disabilities are also prone to people as they age. Including a web accessibility icon on your website immediately covers all people in these criteria and thus giving you a wider audience for more prospects.
- Increase website traffic
By simply having a web accessibility icon in your page, you are able to deliver convenient and quick access to people with disabilities which in turn gives them comfort and satisfaction. People who are satisfied with services as well as functions and features usually share their experience with others. In this way, not only are you able to keep loyal audiences and users, but you are also increasing your website traffic.
- Meet legal requirements
Not all websites are accessible to certain countries, and sometimes there are laws that must be followed prior to launching or accessing a website. Many countries today give consideration to online users with disabilities and health conditions which is why authorities usually require solutions that would provide assistance and convenience to such users. A web accessibility icon ensures that such legal requirements are met and satisfied.
- Improve search engine rankings
With the increase in potential audiences and accessibility, websites with web accessibility icons get better rankings in search engine results pages. Getting a better ranking is the goal for any company’s marketing in order to achieve better yields. This is also a great way to eliminate your competitions the rankings, seeing that not many websites are yet to be equipped with web accessibility icons.
- Avoid legal disputes
There are many complaints as well as legal disputes regarding websites that have unclear information, or contents that causes confusion or injuries, accidents, and even fatalities – these are called “ADA Compliance Lawsuits”. While some contents are easy to interpret by others, it may seem otherwise for people with disabilities especially for those with impaired vision. Having a web accessibility icon helps people with disabilities in receiving information, and also helps you avoid any legal dispute brought about misinformation or unclear and inaccessible content.
- Better user experience
Everybody loves convenience and comfort when browsing through pages and websites. By giving consideration to user with disabilities provides better user experience and improves your websites’ credibility as well as reliability.
- Build business credibility
With a web accessibility icon your page, you are promoting accessibility for all users regardless of their situations or disabilities. Being considerate to others immediately creates a positive impact for your business and name, which enables your users to rely on you for their specific needs and requirements.
- Be in the norm
People constantly changes thus it is important that a website can also adapt to such shifts. People usually take notice of what’s new as well as what’s been added to the usual thing. Adding a web accessibility icon to your website makes your website a part of the norm and includes your website to peoples’ preference.
- Encourage others
By creating a positive impact to the disabled users’ community and industry, you are also able to encourage as well as inspire others to follow suit. This enables others to take steps into making their websites more accessible to all kinds of users.
- Be part of a global movement
A web accessibility icon is something that will be in-demand in the future. Simply having this icon in your website today shows your support for an important cause that ensures convenience not only for modern users but also to future users.
- The icon is actually attractive!
Users don’t click the web accessibility icon simply because they have disabilities, but because it is attractive. Web accessibility icons are designed in a way to attract attention and cause curiosity among users. An attractive feature such as the web accessibility icon makes users interested and makes them keep coming back.
- Gives you peace of mind
Imagine assembling an item out of the box. And as soon as you finish assembling the item, you end up with a few screws or pieces left unused. Not only does this leave the stability, durability and functionality of the item in question but also leaves you doubting the capabilities of the item. In the same way, having your website missing an important feature such as the web accessibility icon leaves you thinking about potential users that you may have missed. With a web accessibility icon installed in your website, you are given peace of mind knowing that you are catering to all kinds of users and that your website is well-equipped for any customer needs.
Conclusion
Consider installing a web accessibility icon as a process of empowering your website and not just a process of adding a feature. Its importance is actually quite significant considering that there is an increasing number of people with disabilities through the years and as people age. Furthermore, it is a way to build credibility and loyalty among both general users and users with disabilities. Lastly, while adding a web accessibility icon is favorable toward your business and name, it is actually also good to your soul as you are lending a hand to those in need.
