Why Making Your Website Accessible Makes Good Business Sense

Have you ever thought about who might be left out when they visit your website? Digital accessibility isn't just about doing the right thing—it's a smart business move that can grow your customer base, strengthen your brand, and keep you out of legal trouble.

A professional-looking person using assistive technology while working on a laptop in a modern office environment.

How Accessible Websites Change Lives

When websites work for everyone, they create opportunities for people who might otherwise be excluded. Think about:

A person with vision problems who uses technology that reads web pages aloud—an accessible website means they can shop or find information on their own.

Someone who can't use a mouse because of hand tremors—simple keyboard shortcuts can make your website usable for them.

Older adults who might struggle with small text or complicated navigation—accessibility features make it possible for them to stay connected.

According to the Canadian Survey on Disability about one in five Canadians has some form of disability. That's over 6 million potential customers who might struggle with poorly designed websites. Every time someone can't use your site, you're not just losing business—you're sending a message about whether inclusion matters to your company.

Good for Business, Good for Growth

Reach More Customers

Accessible websites simply reach more people. Beyond those with permanent disabilities, your improvements will help:

People with temporary limitations (like having their arm in a cast)
Anyone in challenging situations (trying to read a screen in bright sunlight)
Older customers whose vision or dexterity is changing
People with slow internet or older devices

All these groups represent new customers your competitors might be missing.

Build a Better Brand

Today's consumers care about the values behind the businesses they support. Having an accessible website shows that your company values inclusion and fairness—messages that resonate with modern customers.

Companies that genuinely commit to accessibility often see improved customer loyalty and positive word-of-mouth, and research shows that accessible design improves user satisfaction. When people see that you care about inclusion, they're more likely to choose your business and recommend it to others.

Create a Better Experience for Everyone

A diverse group of people sitting around a table, each engaged with their laptops. The setting is indoors with a wall in the background, and various pieces of furniture are visible.

The changes that make websites accessible actually improve the experience for all visitors. Think about it:

Clear, easy-to-follow navigation
Text that's easy to read
Simple forms with helpful error messages
Logical organization of information

These improvements help everyone have a better experience on your site, which means more people staying longer and taking action.

Get Found More Easily Online

Many accessibility improvements also help your website rank better in Google searches. For example:

Adding text descriptions to images helps both visually impaired users and search engines
Using proper headings makes your content easier to navigate for everyone
Making your site mobile-friendly is both an accessibility win and a search ranking factor

These changes help search engines better understand your content, bringing more visitors to your site.

Staying on the Right Side of the Law

The legal landscape around website accessibility is getting stricter. In Ontario, the AODA requires businesses to have accessible websites. Across Canada, the Accessible Canada Act is creating similar requirements nationwide.

Companies with inaccessible websites increasingly face legal challenges, negative publicity, and potential fines. It's almost always cheaper to build accessibility from the start than to fix problems after a complaint or lawsuit.

Simple Steps to Get Started

Look at your current website to find the biggest barriers for users with disabilities
Create a simple plan for improving accessibility over time
Train your website team on the basics of creating accessible content
Test your website with actual users who have disabilities
Make accessibility part of your process for all future updates

The Bottom Line

Making your website accessible helps you welcome more customers, build a stronger brand, create a better user experience, improve your search rankings, and avoid legal problems.

In Toronto's competitive business environment, accessibility has become one of the things that sets forward-thinking companies apart. By embracing accessibility now, you position your business for growth while creating a more inclusive online experience for everyone.