One of the most important assets you have for your business is your website. If it has all of the bells, whistles, and functionality you want along with an aesthetically pleasing design, you probably feel pretty good about your online presence being competitive.
But is it, really?
What if I told you that your website is likely overlooking a market so vast that you could be ignoring thousands – or potentially millions – of dollars a year in potential revenue? To maximize your market, you have to include every possible customer. That includes people with disabilities.
Recent research by the Valuable 500 has revealed a staggering statistic: there’s a $13 trillion annual disability spending power that many businesses are failing to capture because of having inaccessible websites!
If a blind person cannot make a purchase on your website, you’ve lost a sale. If an immobile person cannot fill out a form to request a quote on your service, you’ve lost a sale. The only way you can claim your share of this massive market is to make your website accessible!
The Untapped Market
People with disabilities represent a significant portion of the global population. According to the World Health Organization, there are 1.3 billion people in the world who have a significant disability. How much is 1.3 billion? That’s roughly the size of China! The word that comes to mind for that is ginormous! This is a lot of people – and having an inaccessible website could potentially be resulting in a much lower profit for your business.
In the U.S., the number of people with a disability is 61 million. That’s the entire population of California and most of the population of Texas. What does that mean for your business? Well, there was a white paper released from the Valuable 500 that found that the global disability population has an annual spending power of $13 trillion. That’s a market larger than China’s entire economy! Yet, many businesses are inadvertently excluding these customers due to inaccessible websites.
How An Accessible Website Increases Market Share
Expanded Customer Base
By making your website accessible, you’re opening your doors to millions of potential customers who might otherwise be unable to use your services or buy your products.
Improved User Experience
Accessibility features often improve the experience for all users, not just those with disabilities. A better user experience can result in more sales. If you want people to give you their money, you make it as easy for them to do that as possible. No one should be having to jump through hoops of fire to pay you. This includes people with disabilities.
Enhanced SEO
Many accessibility practices, such as adding alt text to meaningful images and using proper heading structures, also boost your website’s SEO performance, making it more visible
in search results. You want people with disabilities to be able to find you.
Legal Compliance
In many countries, web accessibility is a legal requirement. In the U.S., thousands of web accessibility lawsuits are filed every year against businesses who stand accused of violating the Americans with Disabilities Act, in addition to applicable state laws. By ensuring compliance, you avoid potential lawsuits and demonstrate corporate social responsibility.
Competitive Advantage
With many businesses still lagging in accessibility, having an accessible website can set you apart from competitors and attract customers who value inclusivity. Wouldn’t you rather be seen as a business that values all potential customers, instead of only the ones that can see, hear, or move? A now the million dollar question: Would you rather have access to this market or leave money on the table? Is that even a question?!
The Bottom Line
Investing in web accessibility is not just about compliance or doing the right thing (although these are important too). It’s a smart business move that can significantly increase your market share. By making your website accessible, you’re tapping into a $13 trillion market that many of your competitors are overlooking.
Remember, people with disabilities are consumers too, and they’re looking for businesses that cater to their needs. By making your website accessible, you’re not just expanding your customer base – you’re building a reputation as an inclusive, forward-thinking company that values all customers.
In today’s competitive digital landscape, can you afford to miss out on this opportunity? To watch your market share grow, let us handle the accessibility of your website or take our course. Our Accessibility Audit identifies the most common violations that often lead to legal issues for businesses, and shows you exactly where your site stands. Get started today! A $13 trillion dollar market awaits!
