Website Accessibility for Small Businesses

Accessibility isn’t just a legal checkbox—it’s about welcoming every customer. Lawsuits are hitting small businesses hard for inaccessible websites. Could yours be next? Let’s break it down.

ADA compliance means your website works for everyone, including people with disabilities like blindness, deafness, or trouble using a mouse. Think screen reader support (so text is read aloud), keyboard-only navigation (no mouse needed), image descriptions, clear colors, and video captions. It’s about fairness—and avoiding legal trouble.

If your business serves the public—like a store, restaurant, or service provider—then yes. The ADA calls these “public accommodations,” and it includes your website. Even small businesses aren’t safe: thousands get sued yearly for skipping this.

Absolutely. Lawsuits are skyrocketing:
  • 4,500+ lawsuits hit businesses in 2023.
  • 85% target small and medium businesses like yours.
  • One case can cost $10,000–$75,000 in fines or settlements.
Ignoring this risks your bank account—and your reputation.

You could face:
  • $75,000 fine for a first ADA violation (up to $150,000 for repeats).
  • $10,000–$50,000 in lawsuit settlements—plus lawyer fees.
  • Bad PR that drives customers away.
Fixing it after a lawsuit costs way more than doing it now.

WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) is the rulebook for making websites accessible. WCAG 2.1 and 2.2 are the latest versions—think of them as the gold standard. Aim for Level AA (the middle tier) to meet ADA expectations. It covers things like text size, contrast, and navigation—stuff that keeps you lawsuit-free.

Section 508 is a federal law requiring accessibility for government websites and contractors. If you don’t work with the government, it doesn’t directly apply—but it’s a good benchmark. It aligns with WCAG 2.1 Level AA, so following it keeps you safe anyway.

It depends on your site:
  • $500–$3,000 for a small site with quick fixes (like plugins).
  • $5,000–$50,000+ for big or custom sites needing a total overhaul.
Compare that to lawsuit costs—it’s a no-brainer to fix it now.

Overlays (like pop-up accessibility tools) promise a cheap fix, but beware:
  • They often miss big issues—like broken navigation.
  • Some lawsuits target sites using overlays for not being “fully compliant.”
They’re a Band-Aid, not a cure. Get a real audit for peace of mind. Need help figuring this out? Visit our Help Center—we’ve got your back!

Take these steps:
  • Audit your site with a pro or a tool (e.g., WAVE, Axe).
  • Fix key issues—start with WCAG 2.1 Level AA.
  • Add an accessibility statement on your site (shows good faith).
  • Consider cyber insurance with ADA coverage—just in case.
Proactive beats reactive every time. Want help getting started? Check out our Help Center for support!

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