A successful digital presence can open the gateway to long-term business growth. Online presence highly relies on brand reputation and an effective search engine optimization (SEO) strategy. However, the most significant factor that web developers and businesses should consider before investing in SEO and brand reputation is working on their brand’s web accessibility. Web accessibility, as part of custom website development services, can provide visitors and customers with the ability to benefit from your brand’s products and services. Let’s review how embedding web accessibility can significantly impact your brand’s reputation and SEO strategy.

The Importance of Web Accessibility

All successful brands have one thing in common. They invest in making their brand accessible to everyone without discrimination. One way brands are making their services accessible is through investment in their digital assets, including websites.

Experienced and specialist web developers follow the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), which include a comprehensive set of recommendations for making web content more accessible. The target audience for improving web accessibility includes older users, users with temporary disabilities, and users with situational limitations and permanent disabilities; following WCAG guidelines will allow your brand to achieve these:

• Perceivability – Making UI components and information presentable to users.
• Operability – Ensuring UI, navigation, and information are easy to operate.
• Understandability – Enabling UI interface to be easy to understand.
• Robustness – Making content robust enough using assistive technologies.

Impact of Web Accessibility On SEO

Search engine optimization (SEO) strategies are part of custom website development services. These strategies include various components, such as content, on-page, off-page, and technical SEO. SEO aims to boost a brand’s credibility, drive high-quality traffic, and build a brand reputation. Web accessibility is another area that can increase a brand’s SEO performance.

Some standard practices used in web accessibility that can benefit SEO performance include:

• Using alternative text for images (alt text) provides textual descriptions of images so that users with visual impairment can use screen reads to read information. This is for users who are visually impaired and rely on screen readers. While this helps search engines index images, it also contributes to page reviews and keyword targeting.
• Embedding Proper Heading Structure (H1-H6) within web content can provide a clear hierarchical structure, making it easier for users with cognitive disabilities to understand the structure. Incorporating relevant keywords in headings can improve search rankings as well.
• Including descriptive link text is another practice that provides context on where the link will take the user. Adding relevant keywords in anchor text can improve search rankings for the linked page.
• WCAG guidelines require websites to be accessible via keyboards, which requires a robust, easy-to-navigate UI/UX. A well-structured UI/UX can help index web pages faster.
• Including Semantic HTML elements can make it easier for assistive technologies to understand text while search engines index and rank the content.

Enhancing Brand Reputation with Web Accessibility

Brands must also show responsibility and compassion toward their customers as they grow. Adhering to web accessibility guidelines and making digital content easy to understand can help enhance brand reputation and credibility.

• The application of web accessibility strengthens the brand image and demonstrates a commitment to inclusivity.
• According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), businesses must make mobile apps and digital content more accessible to customers. This will reduce their risk of potential lawsuits, legal risks, and negative publicity.
• Making websites more accessible increases market reach unlocks business opportunities, and provides more ways to increase revenue.

Conclusion: Accessibility is a Win-Win for Your Business

Web accessibility is no longer an option but a brand necessity. As a leading custom website development company, Avancera Solution adheres to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) to ensure digital content can be accessed using communications technologies (ICT). Our comprehensive web accessibility services can help your brand achieve a higher SEO ranking and reputation. Contact us today for an accessibility audit to identify ways our expert developers can build your websites from the ground up or refine existing digital content to improve your SEO ranking and brand reputation.

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