According to Forbes, in 2021, ecommerce retailers lost an estimated total of $829 million over the holiday season due to poor web accessibility.
Web accessibility is a growing concern for online businesses—financially, legally, and ethically. From untapped sales to potential lawsuits, a website that isn't ADA Compliant poses hidden costs, some of which you're probably paying without realizing.
1. You're Likely Losing Online Sales.
An estimated 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. lives with a disability, and many of them shop online. Even though browsers often allow for keyboard only access, screen readers, and other features, they don't fully comply with ADA, nor do they provide the best user experience.
Users end up leaving—not because they don't want to shop your product, but because they can't.
It's not just users with disabilities who benefit from an accessible website. Features like clear navigation, proper color contrast, and alt-image descriptions improve the user experience for everyone, including mobile users and even people in bright environments or with slow internet.
2. You Can Get Sued.
What do The Seattle School District and Bed Voyage have in common? They both faced lawsuits because their website lacked support for individuals with visual disabilities. The Seattle School District settled for nearly $200,000.
Thousands of lawsuits have been filed in the last few years alone, targeting businesses of all sizes.
The financial consequences can be devastating. For large companies, a six-figure settlement might be a hit. But for small businesses, that expense could be fatal.
Beyond legal fees and fines, you also risk losing customer trust, facing public backlash, and damaging your brand reputation.
3. You Exclude Real People.
Web accessibility comes down to real customers with real needs. It can be easy to look at online sales and traffic trends as just another metric in Google Analytics. Businesses can forget they're targeting real people, not just numbers.
When your site is accessible, you're telling every visitor: You belong here.
When customers feel seen, they respond with loyalty, repeat business, and positive word-of-mouth. Web accessibility doesn't limit your audience; it expands it. Your customers will thank you — and so will your bottom line.
Avoid the Hidden Costs & Tap Into a Wider Market
The hidden costs of an inaccessible website can feel alarming—but they're completely avoidable. The Accessibe Utility is provides the highest level of ADA Compliance available, and is continuously updated.
The Accessibe Utility is a tool that can adjust your website in real-time to accommodate impaired users. From increasing font size, to enabling a seizure-safe profile, it ensures your site is usable by everyone, without altering its core design or performance.
