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Beyond accessibility: How inclusive website design benefits your business

When people think about inclusive website design, accessibility is often the first thing that comes to mind.

Ensuring your site is usable for people of all abilities is essential. End of!

But true inclusivity goes beyond accessibility. An inclusive website doesn’t just meet legal standards; it creates a better experience for all users, improves engagement, and ultimately benefits your business.

If your website isn’t designed with inclusivity in mind, you could be missing out on a wider audience, stronger customer relationships, and even higher revenue. Let’s explore what inclusive web design really means and how it can drive business success.

What is inclusive website design?

Inclusive web design is about creating a digital space that works for everyone, regardless of their abilities, age, cultural background, or technical skill level. It involves:

  • Accessibility – Ensuring users with disabilities can navigate and interact with your website.
  • Usability – Making the site intuitive and easy to use for all visitors.
  • Diversity of experience – Recognising that users come from different backgrounds and have different needs.

When businesses approach web design with inclusivity at the core, they remove barriers that could prevent potential customers from engaging with their content or completing a purchase.

How inclusive web design benefits your business

1. Expands your audience and customer base

Around 16 million people in the UK live with a disability, and globally, more than 1 billion people experience some form of disability. If your website is difficult to use for even a fraction of these potential customers, you’re missing out on revenue.

But inclusivity goes beyond disability. It also considers factors like:

  • People with low digital literacy who need a straightforward, intuitive site.
  • Users in non-English speaking communities who may struggle with complex language.
  • Older audiences who may require larger fonts or simpler navigation.

An inclusive website broadens your audience reach by ensuring no one is excluded.

2. Improves SEO and search rankings

Google prioritises websites that offer a good user experience using their “page experience” metrics. Inclusive design plays a huge role in creating a positive page experience for people visiting your website. Search engines consider elements like:

  • Clear site structure and navigation
  • Mobile-friendly design
  • Fast page load times
  • Accessible alt text and captions for images and videos

By making your website more inclusive, you’re also boosting your SEO and improving your chances of ranking higher in search results.

3. Enhances brand reputation and trust

Consumers are increasingly choosing businesses that align with their values. Demonstrating a commitment to inclusivity shows that your brand is:

  • Ethical and socially responsible.
  • Focused on customer experience over just sales.
  • Proactive in serving diverse communities.

Making your website is welcoming and accessible to all, creates a positive brand image that builds trust and strengthens customer loyalty.

4. Increases engagement and conversions

A website that’s difficult to navigate or inaccessible can frustrate users and drive them away. 79% of users will leave a site and never return if they experience accessibility barriers.

By implementing inclusive design features, you can increase engagement and conversion rates by:

  • Making it easier for users to find what they need.
  • Removing frustration and barriers to completing actions (e.g., purchasing a product, signing up for a service).
  • Ensuring users feel welcome and valued, leading to higher brand loyalty.

5. Futureproofs your website and meets legal standards

UK businesses must comply with The Equality Act 2010, which includes website accessibility under its scope. While legal compliance is essential, futureproofing your website is just as important.

Technology doesn’t stop moving, and neither do the needs of your customers. By embedding inclusivity into your website strategy now, you reduce the risk of costly redesigns later and ensure your site remains relevant and effective in the long run.

How to make your website more inclusive

Inclusive web design doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are some practical ways to make your website work for everyone:

  • Ensure colour contrast is strong – Helps visually impaired users read text easily.
  • Use clear, simple language – Avoid jargon to ensure readability.
  • Make navigation intuitive – Clear menus, logical structure, and easy-to-find content.
  • Offer text alternatives for images and videos – Use alt text, captions, and transcripts.
  • Ensure keyboard navigation works – Not everyone uses a mouse.
  • Optimise for mobile users – A significant percentage of users browse via mobile devices.

How Davison & Brain Digital can help

Inclusive website design is much much more than compliance. Truly inclusive design is about creating a better user experience for all while strengthening your business. At Davison & Brain Digital, we help businesses design and optimise beautiful, inclusive websites that are not only accessible but also engaging, user-friendly, and effective.

Accessible AND profitable

If you’re ready to make your website truly inclusive and high-performing, get in touch today. Let’s create a digital experience that welcomes everyone.

Book a call

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