The ever evolving nature of technology has startled the world always; it is something that never is at rest. Especially in the current-day digital landscape, the intention of practicing inclusivity has surged considerably. The idea was to make websites accessible to one and all, irrespective of their physical disability. I could say without hesitation that in the present day, website accessibility is no longer just a “nice-to-have” feature; it’s a critical component of both SEO and user experience. The most basic advantage of this is that your audience base will be a broader one. And when you have more traffic directed to your website there is no doubt in the enhancement of your site’s search engine performance. So, if you are a website owner, you must understand the importance of web accessibility as an inseparable feature of your website. Your goal ought to be to ensure that everyone can perceive, understand, navigate, and interact with the web effortlessly.

Improved SEO Performance

Google is one such search engine that prefers websites that give a good user experience, which obviously includes the web accessibility factor. By implementing accessibility features such as alt text for images, descriptive link texts, and proper heading structures, you help search engines better understand and index your content. This can lead to higher rankings and increased visibility in search results. So, if your website adheres to this criterion you can expect to rise the google hierarchy quicker than you can imagine.

Better User Experience

When we are talking about an accessible website, we are looking at one which is designed to be usable by everyone, regardless of their physical or cognitive abilities. This means that all users, including those with visual, auditory, or motor impairments, can easily navigate your site. To help facilitate this you should consider including features like keyboard navigation, screen reader compatibility, and clear, concise content. This will improve the overall user experience, leading to higher engagement, lower bounce rates, and increased conversions.

Legal and Ethical Considerations

In many regions, particularly the UAE, website accessibility is not just an ethical obligation but also a legal requirement. Let me elaborate a little on the various ways your brand image can be adversely affected if you do not comply with the web accessibility angle.

• • Incur fines and penalties – The UAE government is known to be very strict in this regard and levies heavy fines for those businesses that fail to comply with this aspect. Regulatory bodies in the UAE are increasingly vigilant about enforcing these standards
  • A scar on your reputation – not havibg an accessible website is like having your website blacklisted. This is considered to be a part of one’s corporate social responsibility. And if you fail to providew ease of access to all people your website will most likely receive negative reputation resulting in loss of customers and potential growth of business.
  • No access to government contracts – if you are a brand that expects major business from government contracts and do not comply with web accessibility, then baggig those government contracts is only going to be a dream for you. Non-compliance with web accessibility standards may disqualify a company from bidding on or winning government contracts.
  • No share in the market – Once you get marked as a non-compliant business, you are in high chances of being alienated from the share market as well. And you can only imagine the ensuing loss of revenue that is to come.
  • Become open to legal claims – There are high chances of legal claims being raised by individuals and organisations that have especially abled people in case your website is non accessible. These legal claims can result in costly litigation, settlements, or mandatory remediation efforts. In some cases, companies may be required to make immediate and extensive changes to their digital services, leading to unexpected expenses and operational disruptions.
  • Challenges in operations – It is advisable that you investigate implementing the web accessibility while designing your website. Looking into this aspect post launching a website will only result in additional costs along with disruption in the present operation.

Hence, if you are operating in such areas, you ought to remember, non-compliance can result in legal actions, fines, and damage to your brand’s reputation. A website that is accessible by every individual freely demonstrates a commitment to inclusivity and social responsibility. This has a very positive impact on your brand image.

Incorporating accessibility into your website design is a win-win for both SEO and user experience. And when considering the UAE, non-compliance to it is your road to legal, financial, and reputational consequences. Thus, if you wish your website to rank higher on search engines and stay away from any negative consequence, make ‘web accessibility’ your top most consideration while building your website. As digital accessibility becomes increasingly important, prioritizing it will not only keep you compliant with regulations but also set you apart in a competitive market.