5 reasons your losing money because your business is not accessible
If you're not making your business accessible to everyone, you're losing out on many potential customers and revenue. Here are five mistakes that could be costing you dearly:
Lack of an accessible website - If your website is not accessible to persons with disabilities, you're missing out on a vast potential worldwide customer base.
If your website isn't up to WCAG 2.0 standards, your business is missing out on a sizable chunk of the market. People with disabilities have the same needs as everyone else, but if your site isn't optimized for them, it's like you're putting up a sign saying, "this business isn't for you." Your company might not realize how valuable people with disabilities can be as customers, but that means there's more opportunity waiting to be seized. Put yourself at the front of the line and ensure that your website meets all of the necessary accessibility guidelines, so you don't miss out on a great chance to expand your customer base.
Inaccessible products or services
Hey, entrepreneurs! Have you taken the time to really assess whether your products or services are accessible to anyone with a disability? Please take a close look at them and ensure people of all abilities can use them. For instance, if you have a physical product, take note of the design features - is it doable for someone in a wheelchair? Are there any adjustments that need to be made? Can you offer adaptive clothing if you're a clothing designer? Consider partnering up with a company to provide a broader range of inclusive products such as IZ ADAPTIVE CLOTHING or Ariat if you're more of the Yellowstone type and need some new cowboy boots. Do some research into accessibility standards and figure out how you can make said standards, not just work but EXCEL. And if you have packaging for your product, is it easy enough for someone to open with limited dexterity? You won't go wrong if you double-check all this stuff - so get on it ASAP!
Not enough employee training
All your employees should be trained on how to interact with and serve persons with disabilities. This includes everything from using proper etiquette when addressing disabled customers, to knowing how to use any adaptive equipment one may need help with, such as an elevator to a secondary level to an accessible washroom.
Training employees on how to interact with persons with disabilities should not be just an optional extra – it should be the standard for all workplaces. Accessibility experts, such as Accessibility Consultants, can help walk your employees through the process of understanding the complexities surrounding proper etiquette when addressing people with disabilities and using any adaptive equipment. Not to mention that having proper accommodations for individuals with disabilities at all times will open doors for you to attract and retain more customers from diverse backgrounds. So let's get these training wheels spinning now!
Poorly designed physical space
Your business premises should be designed so that it is easy for persons with disabilities to move around and access all the facilities and services you offer. This includes things like having wide doorways, ramps, hearing loops, accessible washrooms and Braille signage throughout the building.
When it comes to designing physical space, businesses should be thinking about how to make the experience accessible for anyone who walks through the door - this means creating premises that are easy to navigate regardless of physical abilities. And while most of us recognize the importance of ramping up accessibility features like wide doorways and Braille signage, many business owners are still reluctant to put any extra dollars towards making their space more inclusive. But here's what I want them all to know: when you invest in accessibility, you're investing in yourself - building connectivity with customers and unlocking more opportunities than ever before.
Exclusionary marketing materials
Make sure your marketing materials are inclusive of persons with disabilities by featuring them prominently in ads, flyers, posters, etcetera. Also, remember your social media marketing. There are several best practices for making social media accessible to people with disabilities:
When creating marketing materials, it's essential to ensure that they include people with disabilities. This means featuring these individuals prominently in ads, flyers, posters and other visuals. Need help with this? Give my friends at Kello Inclusive a call or email. In addition to this, businesses should also be mindful of their social media marketing strategies and work to make them accessible for persons with disabilities. As Gary Vaynerchuk once famously said, "The best marketing strategy ever: Care." This message is especially relevant when it comes to promoting an environment that is welcoming and embracing of persons with disabilities. With simple tips like using a tone of voice that better resonates among disability communities, companies can go a long way towards elevating their profiles as quality brands that take inclusion seriously. Finally, don't forget that your social media content is accessible and optimized for people with disabilities. Not sure where to start? Check out this blog!
The bottom line is that having an inclusive environment isn't optional – it's essential for any business looking to stay competitive these days.
Bottom line
In conclusion, we all have a responsibility to accommodate those with disabilities and ensure their access to services. By following the mentioned steps, you can open up the availability of your business to a broader audience, improving customer experience and increasing your sales. It is becoming increasingly crucial for companies to consider accessibility considerations when developing products or services. From making sure home pages are WCAG 2.0 compliant, testing for product accessibility for all users, offering employee training on how to interact with people with disabilities properly, designing premises which are accessible to all customers, and featuring persons with disabilities in marketing materials – it's no longer feasible for businesses to ignore this growing population of potential customers. To keep up with the competition, it is vital for you to think about your company's inclusivity strategies today!
If you seek help bringing this vision alive, make sure you contact accessibility consultant Zachary Weeks who could provide you with best-in-class guidance and direction around achieving a more accessible brand experience that genuinely elevates customer experience and delivers value in a way that doesn't exclude segments of customers.
