Most people think of accessibility to make sure that everyone can use a website, regardless of any disabilities they may have. However, there are many other benefits to using a web accessibility overlay in your design projects. This article will explore six of the top reasons you should consider using them in your next project.
1) Provides Powerful Support To People With Disabilities
This is the first and most important reason to use a web accessibility overlay. People with low vision or color blindness can easily see your content by using a high contrast ratio. The way you design an accessible website will assist users through the early stages of learning how to use a website and make it easier for them to use as they grow.
2) Assistive Technology Support
Many people don’t realize how many everyday tasks are already being done by their computers. In addition, new technology is being created to make life easier for those who have disabilities. Having a website that adheres to web standards will ensure that any assistive technologies can easily adapt and interact with your website’s content, bringing it into the 21st century. It also allows non-disabled users to take full advantage of new features as they emerge.
3) Save Time And Money On Customer Care Issues
Customers with disabilities often approach businesses about the problems they experience when trying to access a business’ website or other digital services such as email newsletters. Unfortunately, these issues can be extremely time-consuming and costly, not to mention the damage to brand image. Investing in a web accessibility overlay will help you save time and money by reducing customer care issues, as well as providing disabled users with an improved experience when using your website or other digital services.
4) Enhance Customer Satisfaction And Trust
Adding a web accessibility overlay is one of the best things you can do for your business’s bottom line. It speeds up the learning process for new customers, allowing them to find what they are looking for on your website easily. Using modern standards to deliver content through an accessible design reassures customers that your company is considering their needs. Whether you have existing customers or new ones, an overlay will help deliver the levels of trust and satisfaction you need.
5) Improve Your Search Engine Rankings
Include a web accessibility overlay in your design projects, and you’ll benefit from improved search engine rankings from Google. The search engine giant states that websites with modern development standards will have a better chance of ranking higher than those that do not follow these guidelines. Many people assume that using a mobile website for smartphones is enough to rank highly, but it’s no longer enough. Using a website that follows integration standards is as important as ‘mobile-friendliness.’
6) Improved Accessibility For Content Managers And Editors
Many content management systems (CMS) such as WordPress now include function keys above the keyboard which make it easier for content managers and editors to navigate through the pages of a website. This is useful, especially if your site is large or has thousands of web pages. Using this function will make it easier for you to ensure consistency throughout the site, letting you edit text with ease without switching between screens constantly.
