How Web Accessibility Testing Improves Website Performance

What is Web Accessibility Testing?

Web accessibility testing checks whether a website is usable by individuals with disabilities, including those with visual, auditory, motor, and cognitive impairments. It ensures that:

• Websites are compatible with screen readers and assistive technologies.
• Users can navigate without a mouse using keyboard-only functionality.
• Content is readable and understandable, even for people with cognitive disabilities.
• Videos and images include captions, alt text, and transcripts.

Did you know? According to the WHO, over 1 billion people worldwide have some form of disability. Ensuring accessibility expands your audience and prevents usability barriers.

How Web Accessibility Testing Improves Website Performance

Many businesses assume accessibility only benefits users with disabilities. However, the truth is improving accessibility also improves website speed, usability, and overall performance.

Faster Loading Times & Better Site Speed

Web accessibility testing often involves optimizing image sizes, fonts, and multimedia content, leading to faster page loads. Common fixes include:

• Optimizing images with proper compression and alt text.
• Reducing unnecessary scripts that slow down website interactions.
• Avoiding auto-playing videos that increase load time.

Fact: Google ranks faster websites higher in search results, and pages that load within 2 seconds have a lower bounce rate.

💡 A well-optimized, accessible site loads quickly and keeps visitors engaged.

Improves SEO Rankings & Organic Traffic

Web accessibility on website performance directly impacts SEO. Google prioritizes sites that:

• Have structured content with proper headings (H1, H2, H3).
• Include alt text for images to help visually impaired users and search engines.
• Provide text transcripts for videos, making them searchable.

Example: A recent study found that websites following Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) saw an increase in organic traffic by 12% within six months.

Increases User Engagement & Reduces Bounce Rate

When users struggle to navigate a website, they leave—resulting in high bounce rates. Web accessibility testing improves:

• Keyboard navigation, allowing users to interact without a mouse.
• Readable fonts and color contrasts, preventing eye strain.
• Clear call-to-action (CTA) buttons, making interactions smoother.

💡 Fact: Studies show that accessible websites have 35% higher engagement rates than those that don’t prioritize accessibility.

💡 Better accessibility = More time spent on your website.

Expands Customer Reach & Boosts Conversions

Making your website accessible opens doors to a larger audience. Businesses that fail to meet accessibility standards lose potential customers.

• People with disabilities have a combined spending power of over $1.2 trillion worldwide.
• Accessible websites improve user experience for older individuals who face vision or mobility issues.
• Accessibility improves overall usability, benefiting everyone—including mobile users.

Example: An e-commerce brand improved its checkout accessibility and saw a 20% increase in completed transactions.

💡 More accessible = More revenue!

Helps Businesses Avoid Legal Risks & Penalties

Many countries have strict accessibility laws, and non-compliance can result in lawsuits. Businesses must follow:

Security Testing for APIs involves:

• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) – US law requiring web accessibility.
• Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) – International standard for accessibility.
• Section 508 Compliance – Required for US government websites.

Fact: Over 2,300 website accessibility lawsuits were filed in the US in 2023 alone.

💡 Avoid legal trouble by testing accessibility before issues arise!

How Automated Accessibility Testing Can Help

Automated accessibility testing speeds up the detection of issues and ensures compliance with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).

Benefits of Automated Accessibility Testing:

• Faster results – Scans entire websites in minutes.
• Identifies common accessibility violations.
• Integrates with CI/CD pipelines for continuous testing.
• Reduces manual testing workload.

Example: A SaaS company used automated accessibility testing and reduced accessibility-related bugs by 50% before launch.

🚀 Want to automate accessibility testing? Get a consultation today.