Being ADA Compliant: What You Need to Know

Jul 21, 2022

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a civil rights law that protects people with disabilities from discrimination. While websites and other digital content online are still not explicitly mentioned in the ADA, regulations and court orders show that the ADA does apply to web content.

Simply put, being ADA compliant means you have made your website accessible for everyone, regardless of their ability. Not complying means individuals with a disability such as a visual impairment can’t access your website as it’s intended – and leaves you vulnerable to potential lawsuits. With the right tools, the steps required to get compliant are easy whereas the consequences of being inaccessible are harsh.

If you own a website in the United States, there are some crucial reasons why you should get compliant as soon as possible.

The most important reason is that it’s the right thing to do. Many people throughout the world have a disability, visual or neuromotor, which may make them unable to use your website without the accommodation of it being built for a screen reader. Modern life is centered around the internet. If you can’t access the internet then studying, applying for a job, opening a bank account, or visiting a doctor may be impossible for someone with a disability.

Here are the facts when it comes to disability:

1 in 5 Americans have a disability.
80 million Europeans have a disability.
Globally, more people are disabled than the number of the people who live in China.

Digital accessibility is a potential lifeline for disabled people all around the globe. It’s not morally right, and it’s not good business to have an inaccessible website especially when you consider that:

71% of customers with digital accessibility issues will leave a website if it isn’t accessible for them.
82% of customers will pay more money, even for the exact same item, on a competitor’s website if that website is more accessible.
In 2021, it was estimated that e-commerce retailers lost $828m because they were not compliant with the ADA.
Having an accessible website also has the potential to improve your website’s Search Engine Optimization (SEO) ranking.

Being ADA compliant means doing the right thing, while also improving your business through better clickthrough and more engagement on your site.

Not being ADA compliant is also a financial risk in the legal sense. Under US law, inaccessible website owners can be sued. If you’re sued and lose the case, you may be forced to pay potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars in damages and legal fees.

The volume of ADA prosecutions has risen massively since 2010. In 2018, 2,200 lawsuits were filed in federal courts. By 2020, there were almost ten website-related ADA lawsuits filed per day.
77.6% of all accessibility lawsuits were online retailers in 2020.
21% of lawsuits are against companies who received web accessibility lawsuits in the past.

It’s not just small businesses who are at risk either. Huge corporations and household names like Domino’s Pizza, Edx, American Express, and Carnival’s Cruise have been sued and forced to pay hefty settlements. In 2020, US companies spent $6.625 billion on ADA settlements. Companies such as McDonald’s and Kmart have also settled cases outside of court.

Luckily, the steps you need to take to get compliant are easy. UserWay’s Accessibility Solution takes all the hard work out of getting ADA compliant. GoBeRewarded is proud to include UserWay's on all our new websites. If you are concerned about your website being ADA compliant, reach out to us today.

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Why Local SEO is a Game Changer for San Diego Small Businesses

08 May, 2024

In San Diego's bustling markets, small businesses face the constant challenge of standing out in a crowded digital landscape. Local SEO (Search Engine Optimization) has emerged as a critical strategy for these businesses, transforming how they attract local customers and compete effectively in their regional market. This blog post explores why local SEO is indispensable for San Diego small businesses and how it can dramatically improve their online visibility and foot traffic. The Importance of Local SEO Local SEO enhances a business's visibility in localized search results on Google and other search engines. For small businesses in San Diego, this means appearing in front of potential customers actively searching for products or services they offer in the area. Consider these compelling reasons why local SEO is essential: Targeted Geographic Campaigns: Local SEO allows businesses to target campaigns specifically in the San Diego area, ensuring marketing efforts are focused directly on the most relevant audience. This geographical targeting is more cost-effective and yields higher returns on investment. Increased Web Traffic: Small businesses can dramatically increase their web traffic by optimizing for local search terms and utilizing local business listings. This increased exposure leads to more website visits and potentially, more conversions. Enhanced Online Presence: Businesses can strengthen their online presence through tools like Google My Business, Yelp, and other local directories. Complete and optimized listings improve search rankings and give potential customers easy access to business information, such as hours, location, and services. Competitive Advantage: Many small businesses in San Diego may not yet have fully optimized for local SEO. Adopting these strategies can give your business a significant edge over less digitally savvy competitors. How Local SEO Benefits San Diego Small Businesses Implementing local SEO strategies can reap numerous benefits for a small business. Here’s how it works: Optimizing Google My Business (GMB): One of the most powerful tools for local SEO, GMB allows businesses to manage their online information across Google, including Search and Maps. You enhance your local search rankings and visibility by keeping your GMB information up-to-date and encouraging customers to leave reviews. Using Local Keywords: Incorporating local keywords such as "San Diego bakery" or "IT support in San Diego" into your website’s content helps Google understand where your business is located and what you offer, making it more likely to show your site to users in that area. Building Local Backlinks: Getting links from well-regarded local websites (like local newspapers or business associations) can boost your SEO rankings by proving to search engines that your business is relevant and respected in the local community. Creating Location-Specific Content: Tailoring content to reflect local events, news, or activities can attract local traffic to your website. For example, a blog post about participating in a San Diego community event can resonate well with local audiences. Mobile Optimization: With the increase in mobile searches, having a mobile-optimized website is crucial. Many local searches occur on mobile devices as people look for businesses while on the go in San Diego. Start Leveraging Local SEO Today For San Diego small businesses looking to grow and thrive, local SEO is not just a marketing strategy; it's a necessary investment. By improving your local SEO, you're enhancing your visibility, connecting with your community, and building a stronger local presence. Begin by assessing your current local SEO performance and identifying areas for improvement. If you need help optimizing your efforts, consider engaging a local SEO expert . With the right strategies in place, you’ll soon see an increase in local traffic—both online and offline—which can lead to greater sales and a solidified place in the San Diego market.