How to Make Money on Shopify: A Guide for the Struggling, the Cynical, and the Pessimist
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Picture this: You’ve just launched a sleek new website for your business. The design is stunning, the copy is compelling, and you’re ready to watch the leads roll in. But there’s a catch – many of your potential customers can’t navigate your site. Why? Because you’ve overlooked a crucial element: website accessibility.
Here’s a wake-up call: web accessibility lawsuits have skyrocketed by 320% between 2013 and 2022. That’s not just a trend; it’s a digital earthquake reshaping the online landscape. And if you’re not paying attention, you might find your business on shaky ground.
But here’s where it gets really interesting: website accessibility isn’t just about avoiding lawsuits. It’s about opening doors, expanding your reach, and, yes, even boosting your bottom line. So, buckle up because we’re about to dive deep into the world of website accessibility testing – and trust me, by the end of this, you’ll be looking at your website in a whole new light.
Let’s start with the basics. Website accessibility is about designing and developing websites that everyone can use, regardless of their abilities or disabilities. We’re talking about visual, auditory, physical, speech, cognitive, and neurological disabilities. It’s about creating a digital world that’s inclusive, not exclusive.
You might think, “Surely this only affects a small percentage of users?” Think again. According to the World Health Organization, about 16% of the global population lives with some form of disability. If your website isn’t accessible, you could be alienating over a billion potential customers.
But it’s not just about numbers. In many countries, it’s the law. The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) have become the gold standard for accessibility, and many jurisdictions are incorporating these guidelines into their legal frameworks. In Australia, the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 requires equal access to information and services, including websites.
Here’s where it gets really exciting: making your website accessible isn’t just good ethics or good law – it’s good business. Accessible websites have been shown to have better search engine optimization (SEO), improved user usability, and can help businesses tap into a market worth billions. Now, that’s what I call a win-win-win situation.
Still not convinced? Let’s talk numbers. The average cost of an accessibility lawsuit in the US is between $10,000 to $50,000. And that’s just for the small fries. Big companies have been hit with penalties in the millions. But the real cost? It’s not just about the money you might lose in a lawsuit. It’s about the money you leave on the table daily.
Consider this: the total disposable income for working-age people with disabilities is $1.9 trillion globally. That’s a market bigger than China, bigger than the EU, bigger than your wildest dreams. And if your website isn’t accessible, you’re essentially putting up a “closed” sign for this entire market.
But wait, there’s more. Inaccessible websites don’t just turn away potential customers with disabilities. They frustrate and alienate a much larger group of users who might have temporary or situational limitations. Think about someone trying to watch a video on your site while in a noisy café or a potential customer with a broken arm trying to fill out a form. Accessibility isn’t just about disabilities – it’s about creating a better user experience for everyone.
And let’s not forget about brand reputation. Consumers increasingly support businesses that demonstrate corporate social responsibility in today’s socially conscious world. An inaccessible website clearly conveys that you don’t care about inclusivity. Is that really the brand image you want to project?
Now that we’ve established why accessibility matters, let’s dive into the how. Website accessibility testing isn’t a one-and-done deal. It’s a comprehensive process that involves multiple components:
Remember, accessibility testing isn’t a one-time event. It should be an ongoing process, integrated into your regular development and maintenance routines. Because here’s the kicker: accessibility isn’t just about compliance. It’s about creating a better user experience for everyone. And that’s something worth investing in.
Now, I know what you’re thinking. “This all sounds great, but where do I start?” Well, buckle up because we’re about to explore some of the most common accessibility issues and their solutions. These are your low-hanging fruit—the quick fixes that can make a big difference.
Remember, these are just the tip of the iceberg. Addressing these common issues can dramatically improve your site’s accessibility. And the best part? Many of these solutions don’t just help users with disabilities—they improve the user experience for everyone.
Now, here’s where it gets really interesting. What if I told you that making your site more accessible could also boost your search engine rankings? That’s right – many accessibility best practices align perfectly with SEO best practices. It’s like hitting two birds with one stone, except in this case, both birds are actually golden geese.
Let’s break it down:
But here’s the kicker: Google has explicitly stated that they’re working on using accessibility as a ranking factor. While it’s not a major factor yet, the writing is on the wall. In the future, accessible sites may have a significant advantage in search rankings.
So, if you need another reason to prioritize accessibility, here it is. It’s not just about doing the right thing (although that’s important). It’s not just about avoiding lawsuits (although that’s crucial). It’s also about giving your site the best possible chance to rank well in search results. And in today’s competitive digital landscape, that’s an advantage you must pay attention to.
Alright, so you’re convinced. Accessibility testing is important. But how do you actually implement it in your organization? Don’t worry; I’ve got you covered. Here’s your step-by-step guide to creating and implementing an accessibility testing strategy:
Remember, implementing an accessibility strategy is a journey, not a destination. It requires ongoing commitment and effort, but the rewards—in terms of increased reach, improved user experience, and potential legal protection—are well worth it.
As we wrap up our deep dive into website accessibility testing, let’s take a moment to look ahead. The future of web accessibility is exciting, with emerging technologies promising to make the web even more inclusive.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are set to revolutionize accessibility testing. We’re already seeing AI-powered tools that can automatically generate alt text for images or create real-time captions for videos. As these technologies advance, they’ll make it easier than ever to create and maintain accessible websites.
Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) also present new challenges and opportunities for accessibility. As these technologies become more prevalent, it will be crucial to ensure they’re accessible to all users.
However, perhaps the most exciting trend is the growing recognition of the importance of accessibility. More and more businesses are realizing that accessibility isn’t just a legal requirement or a nice-to-have – it’s a crucial part of creating a truly inclusive digital world.
We’ve covered a lot of ground, from the legal and financial implications of ignoring accessibility to the nuts and bolts of implementing an accessibility testing strategy. But here’s the bottom line: website accessibility testing isn’t just important – it’s imperative.
In a world where digital presence is everything, can you really afford to exclude a significant portion of your potential audience? Can you risk the legal and reputational damage of an inaccessible website? More importantly, don’t you want to contribute to creating a more inclusive digital world?
The good news is, you don’t have to do it alone. At CJ&CO, we’re passionate about creating websites that are beautiful, functional, and accessible to all. We’ve helped businesses of all sizes implement robust accessibility testing strategies, and we’d love to do the same for you.
So, here’s your call to action:
If you need help, reach out to us. When it comes to website accessibility, the question isn’t, “Can you afford to do it?” It’s, “Can you afford not to?”
Remember, an accessible website isn’t just about compliance. It’s about opening your digital doors to everyone, creating a better user experience for all your visitors, and ultimately, growing your business in an ethical, inclusive, and forward-thinking way.
The future of the web is accessible. Are you ready to be part of it?
No, website accessibility is important for businesses and organizations of all sizes. All websites should strive to be accessible to ensure equal access for all users and to comply with legal requirements, regardless of the size of the business.
Many accessibility best practices align with SEO best practices. For example, proper heading structure, descriptive alt text for images, and clear, descriptive link text benefit both accessibility and SEO. Additionally, Google has indicated that accessibility may become a ranking factor in the future.
WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) are internationally recognized standards for web accessibility developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). They provide a set of recommendations for making web content more accessible to people with disabilities. The guidelines are organized under four principles: Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust (POUR).
Up until working with Casey, we had only had poor to mediocre experiences outsourcing work to agencies. Casey & the team at CJ&CO are the exception to the rule.
Communication was beyond great, his understanding of our vision was phenomenal, and instead of needing babysitting like the other agencies we worked with, he was not only completely dependable but also gave us sound suggestions on how to get better results, at the risk of us not needing him for the initial job we requested (absolute gem).
This has truly been the first time we worked with someone outside of our business that quickly grasped our vision, and that I could completely forget about and would still deliver above expectations.
I honestly can't wait to work in many more projects together!
Disclaimer
*The information this blog provides is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as financial or professional advice. The information may not reflect current developments and may be changed or updated without notice. Any opinions expressed on this blog are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the author’s employer or any other organization. You should not act or rely on any information contained in this blog without first seeking the advice of a professional. No representation or warranty, express or implied, is made as to the accuracy or completeness of the information contained in this blog. The author and affiliated parties assume no liability for any errors or omissions.