Designing for accessibility is the process of creating products that can be used by everyone, regardless of their physical or cognitive abilities. When designing B2B products, it is important to consider the needs of all users, including those with disabilities.
There are many ways to make B2B products more accessible. Some common methods include:
- Using clear and concise language
- Using high-contrast colors
- Using large fonts
- Providing keyboard navigation
- Using assistive technologies
The best kinds of businesses do well (financially) by doing good (for their customers/community). When you show that you care about each and every person that comes in contact with your brand, you build amazing relationships. Relationships that lead to brand loyalty. Relationships that make people want to tell their friends and their professional network about how inclusive you are.
Here are some specific examples of the above mentioned and how to make B2B products more accessible:
- Use clear and concise language: When writing content for B2B products, it is important to use clear and concise language. Avoid using jargon or technical terms that may not be familiar to all users.
- Use high-contrast colors: When designing interfaces for B2B products, it is important to use high-contrast colors. This will make it easier for users with low vision to see the content.
- Use large fonts: When designing interfaces for B2B products, it is important to use large fonts. This will make it easier for users with low vision to read the content.
- Provide keyboard navigation: When designing interfaces for B2B products, it is important to provide keyboard navigation. This will allow users who cannot use a mouse to interact with the product.
- Use assistive technologies: When designing interfaces for B2B products, it is important to consider the use of assistive technologies. These technologies can help users with disabilities to access the product.
Considerations
When accessibility is considered from the early stages of development, something beautiful happens. Your design becomes simple, elegant, and easy to use for everyone, not just those with disabilities.
Think about the ATM: when it was redesigned, not only did it become accessible for those with disabilities, it also gained features that benefitted everyone. Now you can insert a check into the ATM sans envelope and the ATM will scan it and read the amount. How cool is that?
Good business practice and good for business
Making your product more accessible is not only standard practice it comes with it's own set of valuable benefits for product owners and users.
Increased reach: When you make your products accessible, you increase the reach of your products to a wider audience. This can lead to increased sales and revenue.
Improved brand reputation: When you make your products accessible, you improve your brand reputation. This is because you are seen as a company that is committed to making its products accessible to everyone.
Increased employee satisfaction: When you make your products accessible, you increase the satisfaction of your employees. This is because they are able to use your products without having to worry about accessibility issues.
Accessibility is more than a compliance box to be checked
There is no way to guarantee that every person, with every disability, will find your website and all of its content accessible. Part of the accessibility journey involves taking feedback from people with disabilities and implementing it.
The sooner you start that journey, the better the outcome will be. Take time to audit your website and identify areas where you can improve content accessibility. Run accessibility checks regularly and stay on top of new requirements.
A more accessible product is a good business decision for everyone. It can help you increase your reach, improve your brand reputation, and increase employee satisfaction.
