In today’s world, almost every business has a website. It helps people find information, buy products, and connect with companies. But what if your website is actually hurting your business instead of helping it? This can happen if your website is not ADA compliant.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) makes sure that people with disabilities can use public places, and that includes websites. If your website isn’t designed for everyone, you could be breaking the law. This can lead to big problems like lawsuits, fines, and even losing customers.
Many businesses don’t even realize their website is not ADA compliant. In fact, 98% of websites fail to meet ADA compliance rules. That means most businesses are at risk. A lawsuit can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, which can be devastating, especially for small businesses.
In this article, we’ll explain why having a non-ADA compliant website can be worse than not having one at all and what you can do to fix it.
What Does ADA Compliance Mean for Websites?
ADA compliance means making sure your website can be used by everyone, including people with disabilities. Some people might have trouble seeing, hearing, or using a mouse and keyboard. A compliant website makes it easier for these people to navigate and understand the content.
Here are some key features of an ADA-compliant website:
- Text that is easy to read (with the right colors and sizes)
- Images with descriptions (so blind users can understand them)
- Captions on videos (for people who are deaf or hard of hearing)
- Keyboard-friendly navigation (for users who cannot use a mouse)
- No flashing images (which can cause seizures)
If a website doesn’t have these features, it could be breaking ADA rules.
Why a Non-ADA Compliant Website Can Hurt Your Business
1. You Could Get Sued
If your website is not ADA compliant, you are at risk of a lawsuit. Thousands of businesses have been sued because their websites did not follow ADA rules. Some companies had to pay large fines, while others had to shut down completely because they couldn’t afford the legal costs.
For example:
- A small business was sued and had to pay $50,000 to settle the case.
- A big company was forced to rebuild their website from scratch, costing hundreds of thousands of dollars.
- Many companies have had their reputations damaged because of these lawsuits.
2. You Lose Customers
If your website is not accessible, millions of people may not be able to use it. About 1 in 4 adults in the U.S. has a disability. That means a huge number of potential customers might leave your site because they can’t use it properly.
Imagine a customer wants to buy a motorcycle part from your website. If they can’t read the text or navigate the site easily, they’ll leave and buy from a competitor instead. That’s lost business.
3. Your Website Might Not Show Up on Google
Google ranks websites based on many factors, including accessibility. If your site isn’t ADA compliant, Google might rank it lower in search results. This means fewer people will find your business online.
If your website is slow, hard to read, or missing important features, Google won’t show it to as many people. This can hurt your business because fewer visitors mean fewer customers.
4. Your Reputation Suffers
People want to support businesses that care about everyone. If customers find out that your website is not accessible, they might think your business doesn’t care about people with disabilities. This can lead to negative reviews and a bad reputation.
Many companies have been called out on social media for not being ADA compliant. This kind of bad publicity can be damaging and hard to recover from.
Is No Website Better Than a Bad One?
You might be wondering: Would it be better to not have a website at all?
In some ways, yes. If you don’t have a website, you won’t get sued for ADA violations. However, you also miss out on online customers and business growth.
The real solution is to fix your website instead of ignoring the problem. A well-designed, ADA-compliant website will help you:
- Reach more customers
- Avoid lawsuits
- Improve your Google ranking
- Build a positive reputation
If your website is not compliant, the best choice is to fix it as soon as possible.
How to Make Your Website ADA Compliant
Fixing your website doesn’t have to be hard. Here are some simple steps to start:
1. Check Your Website for Problems
Use tools like:
- WAVE (Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool)
- Google Lighthouse
- axe DevTools
These tools will scan your website and tell you what needs to be fixed.
2. Improve Text and Colors
- Make sure text is large enough to read.
- Use high contrast colors (black text on a white background is best).
- Avoid using light gray text on a white background.
3. Add Image Descriptions
- Every image should have alt text, which describes the image for blind users.
- Example: Instead of just saying "bike," say "red motorcycle with chrome details."
4. Make Your Site Work with a Keyboard
- Users should be able to navigate without a mouse.
- Test your site by using the Tab key to move between links and buttons.
5. Provide Captions for Videos
- If you have videos, make sure they have captions.
- Captions help people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
6. Avoid Flashing or Blinking Content
- Flashing lights can cause seizures in some people.
- If you must use movement, make sure users can turn it off.
7. Hire an Expert
If you’re not sure how to fix your website, hiring a web expert is the best option. Many web developers specialize in ADA compliance and can help make your site accessible.
Conclusion: Take Action Now
Having a website is important, but having a non-ADA compliant website is risky. It can lead to lawsuits, lost customers, bad rankings on Google, and a damaged reputation.
The good news is that you can fix your website and make it ADA compliant. By taking the right steps, you can:
- Protect your business from legal trouble
- Reach more customers
- Improve your Google ranking
- Show that you care about inclusivity
If you need help making your website ADA compliant, now is the time to act. Don’t wait until a lawsuit happens—protect your business today!
