Make Your Website Accessible & Watch Performance Skyrocket!

According to the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), websites that are not accessible cost the U.S. economy up to $225 billion a year in lost business due to users who are unable to access the information they need.

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Why Accessibility Compliance is Crucial for Your Company's Website Performance

In today's world, website accessibility is an essential element of a successful business. It is estimated that approximately one billion people around the world have some form of disability, with the majority of those disabilities impacting their ability to use a website. With the rise of digital technologies, it is more important than ever for businesses to ensure that their website is accessible to everyone. Here are 5 reasons why accessibility compliance is crucial for your company's website performance.

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) international standard, including WCAG 2.0, WCAG 2.1, and WCAG 2.2. WCAG documents explain how to make web content more accessible to people with disabilities. WCAG guidelines offer three levels of compliance to accommodate different situations:

1. Level A: This is the most basic level of accessibility, covering the minimum requirements to make a website accessible to people with disabilities. Websites that do not meet Level A guidelines are considered highly inaccessible.
2. Level AA: This level addresses more accessibility issues and is considered to be a good target for most websites. Many countries and organizations use Level AA as a standard for compliance. Meeting Level AA guidelines means that a website is reasonably accessible to a wide range of people with disabilities.
3. Level AAA: This is the highest level of accessibility and requires meeting even more stringent criteria. It is not always possible or practical for all websites to achieve Level AAA compliance due to the complexity of some requirements. However, some specific components or pages on a website may strive for this level to cater to users with particular needs.

A typical website should aim for at least Level AA compliance to ensure reasonable accessibility to a diverse audience. It's also essential to be aware of any specific legal requirements related to accessibility in the region or industry the website operates in, as these may mandate a particular level of compliance.

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Interface worked with Capital One Workplace Solutions to create a new corporate brand identity, branding materials, and visualization tools for the headquarters in Tysons, VA as well as a website that effectively intertwined all of these new tools. One of the most crucial steps in building a website for our clients was maintaining accessibility compliance. This has been and remains to be a crucial element of the website's performance, user experience, and professionalism.

1. It Boosts Your Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

Having an accessible website is one of the most important factors in achieving high rankings on search engines like Google. This is because search engines prioritize websites that are optimized for accessibility and usability. By ensuring that your website is fully compliant with the latest accessibility standards, you will be able to boost your visibility and improve your rankings.

2. It Improves Your User Experience

Having an accessible website allows all users, regardless of their ability, to easily find the information they need on your website. This improves the overall user experience, leading to more satisfied customers and higher engagement rates. Accessible websites are also easier to navigate and are more likely to be shared with others, further increasing your website's visibility.

3. It Increases Your Website's Reach

Making sure that your website is compliant with accessibility standards allows it to be accessed by users with disabilities, such as those who are blind or have low vision. This means that your website will be able to reach a broader audience, allowing you to reach more potential customers.

4. It Helps You Avoid Costly Litigation

Failing to comply with accessibility standards can put you at risk of costly litigation. By making sure that your website is compliant with the latest accessibility standards, you can avoid any legal repercussions that may arise from non-compliance.

5. It Allows You to Comply With Anti-Discrimination Laws

By making sure that your website is compliant with accessibility standards, you will be able to comply with anti-discrimination laws. These laws prohibit businesses from discriminating against people with disabilities, and failing to comply with these laws can result in serious legal consequences.

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Interface helped create a new and improved website experience for CDI Health, making the site more accessible for patients, clients, and vendors. Website professionalism is crucial in the healthcare industry - we worked to ensure the website maintained its professionalism and company brand identity, while improving its interface and accessibility.

In conclusion, having an accessible website is essential for any business that wants to succeed in the digital world. Not only does it improve your website's performance and reach, but it also helps you to avoid costly litigation and comply with anti-discrimination laws. By ensuring that your website is fully compliant with the latest accessibility standards, you can ensure that your website is accessible to everyone. Learn more about how Interface can help your website meet all the criteria for website compliance.