What is Accessibility and Why Is It Important for Websites?

According to Google, accessibility is defined as “the quality of being easy to approach, reach, enter, use, or understand”.

So how does this link to websites?

When websites were first created, each page was simple but often very text-heavy. Pages were usually plain, using default fonts, black text and white backgrounds. This meant there was little variation in how information was presented. Users who found one website challenging to use were likely to face similar difficulties across many others.

As website design has developed, businesses have taken different approaches. Some have focused more on visuals, some on the amount of written content, and others on accessibility.

Why website accessibility matters

Over 1.3 billion people worldwide live with a disability (WHO, 2025). This shows just how many people could benefit from websites that are easier to read, understand and use.

The digital accessibility market is currently valued at more than $1.4 billion globally (approximately £1 billion) and is expected to more than double by 2034 (Congruence Market Insights, 2025). This suggests that accessibility is becoming increasingly important for both website users and the businesses creating those websites.

These statistics show why accessibility is becoming an increasingly important part of website design, helping more people use websites with ease while creating a better overall experience.

Accessibility can support customer loyalty

From a brand point of view, it is becoming more important to adapt website layouts, text and visuals for different audiences. Research has found that 83% of people limited their shopping to sites they knew were accessible. Creating a more inclusive website can therefore help support customer loyalty and encourage more repeat visits.

Accessible features can improve the experience for everyone

Improved website accessibility doesn't just affect those with known accessibility needs (Level Access, 2025). Many accessible features can make websites easier and more comfortable to use for everyone.

Examples of accessible features

These include:

• Video captions

• Clear colour contrast

• Dyslexia-friendly fonts

  
  

These are just a few examples of features that can benefit a wider range of people and help more users feel included. They can also make information easier to read, understand and interact with in different situations.

The overall aim is simple: to ensure more people can access the same information and have a positive experience doing so.

Accessibility can influence buying decisions

Customers can also be less price sensitive when websites are accessible. Around 75% of people with access needs chose to pay more for a product from an accessible website rather than buy the same product from a less accessible website (Click-Away Pound Survey, 2019). This shows that customers can place additional value on a website's accessibility, even when it means paying more.

This suggests that accessibility can influence how people view a brand, even when another business may be cheaper. It also means customers may change their minds about a product or service simply because one website is easier to use than another.

Positive website experiences can lead to more recommendations

A positive experience on a website can shape how people feel about a brand. If a site is easy to use and leaves a good impression, visitors may be more likely to share that experience with others.

Word of mouth can be just as important as paid advertising, especially when recommendations are shared by friends, family, work colleagues or through social media. These more personal recommendations can help promote a brand from a more authentic perspective, which customers are more likely to take into account (Business News Daily, 2026).

This means that creating a positive website experience can have an effect beyond the individual visitor, influencing how others see the brand and whether they choose to engage with it.

Final thoughts

Website accessibility can make a real difference to how people experience a business online.

By making a website easier to use and understand, businesses can create a more inclusive experience while also supporting customer loyalty, buying decisions and recommendations.

Accessibility is not only about the technical side of a website. At its core, it is about ensuring more people can use it, understand it and have a positive experience with the business.