Have you ever thought that your site could be more accessible? If the answer is no, you’re missing out on an opportunity! Not only are you ignoring a fundamental aspect for your audience, but you also risk not being ready for the new legal regulations that are coming.
What an accessible site is and why it’s crucial
An accessible site is a site that can be used by everyone, including people with disabilities. We are not just talking about people with vision problems, but also those with motor, hearing, or cognitive difficulties. If you think that people with disabilities are an insignificant part of your target, you are wrong: over 15% of the world’s population has difficulty navigating, and if you do not make your site usable for everyone, you are cutting off a significant portion of potential customers.
But accessibility is not just about people with disabilities. A well-structured site with clear content and intuitive navigation improves the experience for all users, increasing dwell time and reducing bounce rate.
SEO and accessibility: a winning combination
Did you know that many of the improvements that make a site accessible are also super SEO-friendly? Some key principles of accessibility, such as a correct heading hierarchy (H1, H2…), alternative text for images, and clear navigation, not only help those who use screen readers but also favor positioning on search engines. In other words, by doing a favor to users, you also do a favor to your Google ranking. Win-win!
Digital accessibility: what does the legislation say?
The European Union is strengthening the regulatory framework for digital accessibility. Here are the most important deadlines to know:
- 2025 – The European Accessibility Act (EAA) comes into force.
This directive requires companies offering digital goods and services to comply with accessibility standards (based on WCAG 2.1) by June 28, 2025. The obligation concerns e-commerce, apps, banking services, e-learning platforms, and many other sectors. - Obligations already in force for the public sector. In Italy, the Stanca Law (Law 4/2004), updated in 2018, already mandates accessibility for websites and apps of the Public Administration and companies with public concessions. Since 2022, these entities must annually publish an Accessibility Statement to attest to compliance.
- Fines and sanctions. Companies that do not comply by 2025 risk financial penalties, as well as a loss of reputation and online visibility. Better to act in advance!
Is your company ready for the new 2025 regulations?
June 28th. The date by which all Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) offering digital products and services on the market must comply with the regulation: European Accessibility Act (EAA). Micro-enterprises are currently exempt.
Tick-tock, tick-tock! Act now so you don’t get left behind. There’s no time to waste! Improving your site now means doing yourself and your users a favor. Not only do you comply with regulations, but you also make navigation more user-friendly and accessible to a wider audience. And remember: every step you take towards accessibility also contributes to a better ranking on Google!
Here’s the winning formula! Investing in accessibility is a strategic choice. It’s not just a legal obligation, but a business opportunity and social responsibility.
But all this is just a taste!
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