Importance Of Accessibility In Ecommerce Trust

An accessibility statement isn’t just words on a page. Accessibility statements are a commitment to ensuring that everyone can access and use your digital content. When a company publishes an accessibility statement but fails to deliver on its promises, it sends a clear message that inclusion isn’t a priority. It creates frustration for users who expect a better experience and undermines trust in your brand. It’s not enough to simply say, “We value accessibility.” Actions speak louder than statements. Testing your website for accessibility, addressing identified issues, having customer support reps who understand assistive technology, having disabled participants in user research, and continuously improving the user experience are critical steps to backing up an accessibility statement with tangible, impactful results. An accessibility statement is a promise to the public. It’s an opportunity to show that you’re committed to creating an inclusive digital space for all. Make sure your website actins match the words of that statement. If you don't, don't be surprised when you receive a demand letter from a litigator. The first piece of evidence in your trial will be the accessibility statement that your organization did not uphold. Alt: The only thing worse than not having an accessibility statement on your website is having one and not acting on its promises. #Accessibility #Inclusion #DigitalInclusion #UserExperience #WebAccessibility #AccessibilityMatters

One billion people experience disabilities.  As merchants, we talk about serving customers yet design systems that restrict many from even shopping.  This not only hampers sales but fails basic ethical standards. Common obstacles that lock out users:   - Tiny/low contrast text that visual disabilities cannot decipher - Pages without alt text descriptions excluding the visually impaired  - Keyboard limitations hampering those without touch capability The solutions exist through inclusive e-commerce design.  Optimizing for accessibility is proven to increase conversion rates while expanding market reach. Standards like WCAG outline the building blocks:  - Add explanatory alt text for images - Structure logical page layouts   - Ensure color contrast  - Allow keyboard navigation This should be table stakes, not a "nice-to-have."  Equity in commerce will become the next competitive frontier.

We’re pouring billions into AI—while overlooking a $13 trillion opportunity hiding in plain sight: Accessibility. The truth is stark. WebAIM’s 2025 study found that 94.8% of websites fail WCAG 2.1 AA standards. That’s 1.3 billion people effectively shut out of digital commerce. And here’s the paradox: When teams try to fix it, they often make things worse. Sites with ARIA markup average 57 errors. Sites without ARIA? Just 27. Our “solutions” are breaking what they were meant to repair. Meanwhile, the companies who treat accessibility as strategy—not afterthought—are seeing outsized returns. Tesco invested £35K in improvements and unlocked £13M in extra annual revenue (RNIB/W3C). That’s a 37,000% ROI. Extreme? Yes, but not isolated. Case studies regularly show 20–30% lifts in traffic and revenue after accessibility work. Contrast that with the rising legal risks. In 2024, 8,800 ADA Title III lawsuits were filed in the U.S.—a 7% increase from 2023. Settlements often run $5K–$50K+, with legal fees and brand damage stacked on top. A proactive investment—often just $8K–$35K—can prevent that fallout entirely. So let’s be clear: Accessibility is not charity. It’s: → A competitive wedge into a market 97% of teams ignore → Insurance against lawsuits and reputational risk → A proven driver of loyalty, conversion, and growth Because what they’ve been sold as “accessibility” is often just code-level patchwork. Real accessibility isn’t ARIA attributes—it’s semantic HTML, tested with real disabled users, and integrated from the start. It’s also measurable in business terms—not just WCAG checkboxes. That’s the shift more teams need to make. Because when you treat accessibility as a strategic lever instead of an afterthought, the impact is impossible to ignore. 👇 Full breakdown of the data, the paradox, and the playbook in the slides below. Want my 8-step audit framework to catch invisible barriers? Drop “AUDIT” in the comments and I’ll send it to you. What’s the accessibility trap your team still hasn’t solved? #uxdesign #accessibility #webdesign #productstrategy ⸻ 👋🏼 Hi, I’m Dane—your source for UX and career tips. ❤️ Was this helpful? A 👍🏼 would be thuper kewl. 🔄 Share to help others (or for easy access later). ➕ Follow for more like this in your feed every day.