Accessibility is the standard
Accessibility isn't an extra; accessibility is the standard. By not creating accessible digital content, you alienate around 25% of your potential consumers simply because they aren't able to access your content. Web accessibility, also referred to as 'a11y', is a fundamental principle of the web, and yet it often goes overlooked. Why? It's often a second thought, too costly to implement after development, or it's simply deemed as "not worth the time".
Accessibility isn't an added extra. It's essential - not just for business growth but for -
Reputation
By committing to accessibility, you stand out from competitors who exclude disabled users - and you open the door to a wider, often overlooked audience.
Legal
UK and EU laws require websites to meet reasonable accessibility standards - yet most still fall short. Building with accessibility in mind from the start is not only a legal safeguard, but it can also be far less costly than facing the consequences of non-compliance later.
SEO (Search Engine Optimisation)
Accessibility improves your site's structure and usability, which search engines favour. Sites that work well with screen readers and assistive technologies are more likely to be recommended and ranked higher.
And although these results on paper are appealing to all businesses, the topic never seems to be pursued. Why? I personally believe it's due to the fact that people are not familiar with the topic. People may consider the word "disability" to just encapsulate those who are wheelchair-bound or those with visual impairments. But it covers more than just that.
Accessibility covers those with cognitive impairments, with the need to tailor content in a way that those who may need altered wording or clear writing can access. Difficulties like visual impairments won't just affect aspects like colour choices, but they may well have implications on choices such as font styles. Developers may need to think about implementing features exclusively for accessibility, such as a "skip to content" button for those who cannot navigate with a mouse.
In addition, it's not where the team's focus is. Writers tailor their words to their industry rather than the broader audience. Designers want to continue to push the boundaries and follow the new and most experimental styles rather than stick to layouts that are simpler and more perceivable. And developers prefer pushing functionality rather than compliance. At each and every step, businesses fail to capture accessibility compliance by straying from their strategy away from accessibility.
They fall into the traps of personal preference, chasing trends, conflicting ideas, AI-generated (artificial intelligence) inspiration, and taking too much from other sites they like without considering how they really work and how the user wants to interact with their content. All these pitfalls take energy away from maximising the reach of the business by considering the user first and following through that journey together with them - even if it takes extra time to account for those with disabilities.
When you design with inclusion from the start, you create better experiences for everyone. Strong website development should consider accessibility, usability, and clarity from the beginning rather than treating them as optional extras later in the process. It's not about perfection; it's about intention.
Putting the user first, especially those often excluded, isn't an optional extra. It's the foundation of meaningful, effective digital work. And because accessibility standards, content, functionality, and user needs can change over time, ongoing website maintenance helps keep the experience inclusive, usable, and effective after launch.