First steps to making your small business digitally accessible

By?Be. Lab?and?Access Advisors

In this post-Covid world, being online is a must-have for any small business. But 1 in 4 Kiwis with a disability or access need may not be able to use your website if it’s not accessible. That’s 24% of your potential customers, who may take their business elsewhere.

?Many small businesses don't know where to start when it comes to digital accessibility. Be. Lab has partnered with experts?Access Advisors?to help support you on your digital accessibility journey.

Before we get into the how, here's a little on the why…

Business benefits of digital accessibility?

?Close to 1 in 4 New Zealanders has an access need or disability; that's 24% of the population and more than a million people.?

??Digital accessibility is not just about reaching this untapped market, but there are many other flow-on benefits. Being digitally inclusive is good for your bottom line, brand and is part of welcoming customer service.?

?For more on this, read our blog “Embrace digital accessibility and watch your small business grow”.

?So, now for the how…

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Don't have a website yet? Incorporate accessibility from the get-go

If your business doesn't have a website yet or you need to create a new one, incorporating digital accessibility from the get-go is the way to go.?

?If you're concerned about your budget blowing out, when it comes to an entire website build, ensuring your website is accessible will be very small portion of your budget.

?Here are some important considerations:

• Ensure your web developer understands how to apply the?Web Content Accessibility Guidelines?(WCAG) – the internationally recognised standard for making a website accessible.
• Build your website so people who rely on assistive technology can easily use screen reading and magnification software.
• WordPress and Wix Accessible have accessible website templates available (however, take care when changing anything in these templates, as this may make them inaccessible).
• Shopify, Squarespace, and Rocketspark (NZ) have detailed instructions on how to add accessible features.

Finally, Access Advisors can work with you throughout your website build if you need a guiding hand.?For example, they can check your early designs and review the finished code.

Already have a website? Book an expert review?

If your business is already online, a great place to start is an expert review of your website.

There are free checks available, but they can be limited. We, therefore, recommend a complete review from Access Advisors. Plus, if you mention this blog when booking your review, you will receive a 10% discount until the end of May 2023!

Simple technical changes to improve accessibility?

Your review will cover a range of recommendations to improve accessibility. Many will be simple technical changes, such as:?

1. Ensure there is a strong colour contrast between the text and background throughout the site.?

2. Provide alt text for images with clear descriptions.?

3. Use an easy-to-read font, ie: Sans Serif because it’s not curved and cursive.

4. Use plain English so the copy is easy-to-understand.

5. Ensure your website has an uncluttered and simple layout - the Be. Lab and Access Advisors' websites are great examples.

6. If your website uses CAPTCHA, ideally use Version 3 or make sure you have options for different needs, not just image-clicking.

7. Use a clear and hierarchical heading structure that signposts the content on the page.

8. Use clear link names that help people know where they are going next.

Provide proper online support

Not only do technical changes contribute to digital accessibility, but providing proper online support to the access community is equally important, such as:

• Provide contact details on your home page with multiple contact options so customers can get in touch if they're having accessibility issues.
• Ensure online support staff are trained to confidently deal with different access needs.
• Include an easy-to-find accessibility statement that explains your commitment to accessibility and outlines the accessible facilities of your business.

Start your digital accessibility journey today?

Embracing digital accessibility makes good business sense.?

By incorporating accessibility from the get-go into your new website build, you will avoid an expensive re-work later on. And if you already have a website, some simple technical changes and providing proper online support will make a big difference.?

So, why not start your journey today? Here are some steps your small business can take right now:

• Book?an expert review of your website with Access Advisors – mention this blog and receive a 10% discount till the end of 2022!
• Read all of Be. Lab’s Free Accessibility Resources for Business
• Read Access Advisor’s Top 10 Tips Blog