In today’s digital world, websites and apps are more than just online brochures—they are business drivers. But here's the truth: many websites leave out a crucial group of potential customers: those with disabilities. That's where Inclusive UX comes in. Creating an inclusive, web-accessible user experience (UX) doesn’t just help you meet legal requirements or check off a box for social good, it can actually boost your sales.
At its core, Inclusive UX is about ensuring that everyone, including people with disabilities, can easily navigate and interact with your website. Web accessibility should never be an afterthought. When done right, an inclusive user experience isn’t just about being nice- it’s about making sure your business is reaching the largest possible audience. By doing so, you're not just ticking the box for inclusivity; you're opening the door for more conversions, better engagement, and, ultimately, more sales.
What is Inclusive UX?
Let's break it down.
Inclusive UX focuses on making websites, apps, and digital platforms easy for everyone to use regardless of their abilities or disabilities. This means considering users with:
- Visual impairments (e.g., blindness, color blindness)
- Hearing impairments (e.g., deafness)
- Motor impairments (e.g., limited dexterity)
- Cognitive impairments (e.g., difficulty processing information)
But it’s not just about catering to users with disabilities. It’s about making the user experience better for everyone, making your website smoother, faster, and easier to navigate. When done right, accessible design is good design, and it benefits all users, not just those with disabilities.
Why Accessibility is a Key Factor in Driving Sales
You might be wondering, “How does accessibility actually impact sales?”
Here are the key reasons why focusing on Inclusive UX can drive revenue:
1. Wider Audience Reach
By making your website accessible, you’re opening the door to a much larger audience. According to the World Health Organization, 1 in 7 people globally experience some form of disability. That’s a huge market of potential customers who are being excluded from your site if it’s not properly designed for accessibility.
Imagine losing out on 15% of your market simply because your site isn’t easy to navigate for someone with a visual or cognitive impairment. By making small, thoughtful changes to your website, you can cater to millions of people who would otherwise leave.
2. Improved User Experience (UX)
Inclusive design benefits everyone. For example:
- Text readability: Clear, readable fonts help people with visual impairments and those who just don’t like small text.
- Easy navigation: Accessible navigation, such as keyboard shortcuts or better page layout, improves the experience for people with motor impairments and makes browsing easier for all.
- Faster load times: Websites that are optimized for accessibility tend to perform better across the board, giving everyone a faster, smoother experience. This means lower bounce rates and more time spent on your site, which increases the chances of conversion.
The better the user experience, the more likely your visitors are to engage with your content and make a purchase. Simple, intuitive design encourages longer sessions and more interactions, ultimately leading to more sales.
3. SEO Benefits
Did you know that improving your website's accessibility can also boost your search engine rankings?
Search engines like Google reward websites that are user-friendly and accessible. For example:
- Alt text for images helps search engines understand the content of an image, boosting SEO.
- Proper heading structure (H1, H2, H3, etc.) improves content hierarchy and makes your site easier to navigate for screen readers, which in turn boosts rankings.
By following best practices for accessibility, you’re also following many of the best practices for search engine optimization (SEO). This can lead to higher visibility in search results, driving more organic traffic to your website and more chances for sales.
4. Legal Compliance
Legal compliance is a critical factor in web accessibility. Many countries have regulations requiring websites to be accessible to all users. Examples include:
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the U.S.: Mandates that websites provide accessible experiences for people with disabilities. Non-compliance can result in lawsuits and financial penalties.
- Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG): International standards widely referenced in legal frameworks to ensure web accessibility.
- European Accessibility Act (EAA): Requires businesses operating in EU member states to make digital products and services accessible.
Web accessibility compliance checks typically evaluate text readability, navigation, alt text for images, keyboard accessibility, and overall usability for people with disabilities. By implementing these measures, businesses protect themselves legally while demonstrating a commitment to inclusive design.
5. Building Trust and Brand Loyalty
When a company takes the time to build an inclusive website, it shows they care about their customers' needs. In an increasingly socially-conscious market, this can be a major differentiator.
Customers appreciate businesses that are inclusive and empathetic, and this translates into brand loyalty. When users with disabilities feel valued and seen, they are more likely to return and recommend your business to others.
Key Elements of an Inclusive User Experience
Now that we know why accessibility is important, let’s dive into some key elements of Inclusive UX that can help drive sales:
1. Color Contrast and Text Readability
Ensure that text stands out clearly against its background. This helps users with color blindness and those who struggle with reading.
- Use tools like Contrast Checker to ensure proper contrast ratios.
- Opt for simple fonts and adequate font size.
2. Keyboard Navigation
Ensure that users can navigate your website using only a keyboard. Many people with motor impairments rely on keyboard navigation instead of a mouse.
- Make sure all interactive elements (like forms, buttons, etc.) are accessible via keyboard shortcuts.
- Provide a visible focus state so users can track where they are on the page.
3. Alternative Text for Images
Add alt text to images so that screen readers can describe the content for users with visual impairments. This is also important for SEO.
- Be descriptive, but concise: “Image of a red dress in a shopping cart” is more effective than just “red dress.”
4. Clear and Simple Language
Keep your content straightforward and easy to understand. People with cognitive disabilities often struggle with complex language, and simpler copy improves the user experience for everyone.
- Avoid jargon and overly technical terms unless necessary.
- Break up content into short paragraphs, and use bullet points to improve readability.
5. Accessible Forms
Forms are one of the most critical areas for accessibility, especially on e-commerce websites.
- Ensure form fields are labeled properly, and make error messages clear and easy to understand.
- Enable the option to use forms via voice input or keyboard shortcuts.
6. Responsive Design
With so many people shopping on mobile devices, responsive design is critical. Ensure your website adjusts seamlessly to all screen sizes, improving usability for everyone, including those with motor impairments who might struggle with tiny buttons on mobile.
How Inclusive UX Can Help Your Business
At the end of the day, building an inclusive user experience isn’t just about meeting regulatory requirements or helping out a specific group of people, it’s about increasing customer engagement, driving more sales, and future-proofing your website.
Creating an accessible website shows that you value all your customers, which leads to brand loyalty and increased conversions. It’s a win-win for both the customer and your business.
Ready to Make Your Website Inclusive and Drive Sales?
Accessibility isn’t an add-on - it’s a growth strategy. At Seven Koncepts, we design websites that delight every user while driving measurable business results. Let’s transform your digital presence into one that’s inclusive, compliant, and built to convert. Ready to reach the 15% of the market you might be missing?