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The internet is a borderless marketplace that anyone should be able to enter. But unfortunately, for millions of Europeans, online shopping is not as obvious as it seems. Think of people with visual or hearing impairments, or those who have difficulty reading or navigating with a mouse. This creates a crucial opportunity for you as an e-commerce manager of a large webshop: making your online platform accessible.
What is the European Accessibility Act (EAA)?
To make online products and services accessible to all Europeans, the European Accessibility Act (EAA) was drafted. This European Accessibility Act concerns European regulations in the field of digital accessibility. And even though it may seem dull and a ‘must’: it can also be an excellent opportunity for your company to generate more turnover!
The idea behind the EAA is to ensure that everyone, regardless of their situation, can easily use digital products such as websites and apps. Everyone in the European Union should have access to digital products and services in the same way. Research shows that not all webshops comply with this. That’s why many e-commerce managers will have to work on this in the coming year.
Intrinsic motivation
Your company must therefore ensure that you comply with this EEA soon (no later than 28 June 2025). But apart from this legal obligation, you also have the intrinsic motivation to be accessible to everyone, including those with disabilities. And don’t just think about people with poor vision or hearing problems. This includes people with ADHD, a temporary disability (arm in plaster) or people with low literacy levels. And it delivers: Your potential customer base will increase enormously if you start complying with these EEA rules. Here are some numbers: the Netherlands has 4 million people with a disability, for Europe this number is 135 million. And this number will only increase. Consider, for example, the ageing population. So the sooner you get involved, the better it is for your turnover. In addition, it has been proven that people with disabilities are generally very loyal customers. A positive experience on an easily accessible website makes the ease and confidence to return and buy again a lot greater. An accessible website can therefore lead to more site visits and therefore more sales.
Google
An important factor in Google’s algorithm is the user experience. Google is happy with accessible websites. The better Google understands what information is on your website, and what is important, the more user-friendly your website will be. It is precisely because of this that your website will appear higher in the search results.
Concrete
In concrete terms, this means that your company must ensure that everyone can order and use your products and services, regardless of their situation or their (physical) limitations. We are going to help you with that.
All rules about accessibility are included in the WCAG, the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. These guidelines are designed to make websites and digital content more accessible to people with different types of disabilities. They provide requirements (and recommendations) for creating web content that is understandable and usable by everyone.
Demand
For example, the WCAG sets all kinds of (technical) requirements. Think of the contrast on your website, clear alternative texts for images and videos on your website. Other examples include:
- easy-to-read text. This means, among other things, that the content is immediately clear and that an easy-to-read font has been used.
- Clear navigation.
- The ability to use tools such as screen readers to use your site.
- The website structure makes sense.
- The site is fast and scales excellently on different screen sizes.
- The site is easy to find.
The aim is to provide an inclusive online environment so that all people can fully participate in digital life regardless of visual, auditory, motor or cognitive impairments.
Test
In addition, we recommend that you regularly have your website tested for accessibility by experts (people from various target groups). This helps to improve the user experience of your website for everyone. And, last but not least, make sure you have internal awareness: Train your employees in digital accessibility and how to apply the rules of the EAA.
Get Started NOW
We therefore recommend that you start making your website accessible now. Why wait when you can win more loyal and satisfied customers now? Do you want to know how you can make your website more accessible? Please contact us. And keep an eye on our website. We will discuss a number of other issues later on.
Together, we will ensure that your company is accessible to everyone.
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