If Your Indian ECommerce Website Doesn’t Prioritize Website Accessibility, You May Be Losing 50% More Sales

Importance of Website Accessibility for Indian E-Commerce Firms

In the digitally driven landscape of India, every e-commerce website aims to offer the best shopping experience to its customers. However, not all websites provide equal opportunities to all users, ignoring the crucial aspect of accessibility. As the country progresses with building an inclusive digital infrastructure, the significance of e-commerce website accessibility becomes more apparent. It not only helps build a loyal customer base but also empowers businesses by reaching a broader audience. According to West Virginia University, nearly 2.3 billion people worldwide have a disability, resulting in a massive untapped market. Ignoring accessibility in your Indian e-commerce website might cost you a significant percentage of potential sales and brand reputation.

The Shift towards Accessible Web Design in India

Increasing awareness about online accessibility in India has led e-commerce businesses and web designers to take note of this vital aspect. As a result, we're witnessing a considerable shift towards accessible web design, gradually displacing traditional design practices. This digital revolution has paved the way for an inclusive shopping experience, ushering a new era for e-commerce in India. However, e-commerce firms still have a lot to catch up on, considering a considerable portion of businesses remain unaware of the significance of Website accessibility. Web accessibility is about creating a website that everyone can use, without any barriers, low vision, dyslexia, colour blindness, allergies and even those who experience physical disabilities and speech impairment. Ignoring this could impair businesses in regaining lost sales as the demand for accessible websites intensifies in the digital landscape.

What Makes an E-commerce Website Accessible?

Understanding the fundamental components of accessible web design is essential to structuring your Indian e-commerce website. The dimensions of accessible design can be understood as follows:

• Perceivable Design: This refers to user-friendly websites where information is available and understandable by everyone, including the visually impaired users. For instance, adding alternative text to visuals, proper color contrast, and captions for media help users interpret the content better.
• Operable Design: E-commerce websites must have navigation systems and features that can be used by everyone, including those with physical impairments. Examples of such features include the use of headings and subheadings for easy navigation, providing form labels, designing scroll-free experience and adequate zooming options, simplifying navigational structure, and ensuring large enough clickable elements.
• Understandable Design: It refers to the design and user interface that allows users to comprehend your website easily. Achieve this by following coding standards, using clear and concise content, including error explanations, keeping forms consistent, avoiding jargon, facilitating interaction, and providing error alerts.
• Robust Design: This aspect of accessibility ensures that your e-commerce website remains usable even with extended technological advancements. This includes catering to the changing needs of browser software and major screen reader compatibility.

The Impact on Sales and Customer Experience

Ignoring the aspect of website accessibility could result in significant losses in sales and customer engagement for your Indian e-commerce firm. According to The National Federation of the Blind, nearly $6.9 billion that is spent online in the US alone is lost due to inaccessible websites. As the number of Indian citizens accessing the internet through their devices is rising, failing to provide an inclusive shopping experience as per accessibility standards could result in leaving behind the substantial user base with disabilities and those who depend on accessibility features. Nevertheless, it cannot be overstated that catering to this aspect is mutually beneficial as not only does it reduce your website's bounce rate, it creates a positive impact on your customers by making them feel valued and included.

Welcome to the Future of E-commerce in India: Embracing Accessibility

As India progresses with creating an inclusive digital landscape, The Indian government has inculcated policies supporting transparency and accountability in providing equal opportunities to people with disabilities. The promotion of online accessibility in Indian e-commerce seems to be a step forward, investing in digital infrastructure for your business could significantly contribute to fostering an inclusive economy. Indian e-commerce firms can no longer afford to overlook web accessibility. However, with innovative accessible web design, the country has the potential to become a front-runner in digital accessibility, empowering businesses to showcase and maximize their online presence to a much larger audience. By integrating accessible design elements, businesses in India can not only cater to a larger audience, resulting in a significant increase in sales and a competitive edge but also contribute to the Indian government's mission of building a barrier-free digital economy.

Get on Board with Accessible Web Design

Despite a gradual shift in mindset towards accessible web design in the Indian e-commerce landscape, many firms still lack understanding in implementing accessible web design elements. At Cpluz, we specialize in providing web accessibility services in India that enhance user experience by focusing on design solutions for accessible web design. Our team of web designers and developers promotes inclusive design throughout the design process to prioritize accessibility. By investing in a consultation with our experts, Indian e-commerce firms can establish a fully accessible website instilling an impression of a forward-thinking and customer-centric brand in the eyes of one's customers. Additionally, not only does it help build a strong customer base, it also empowers Indian businesses to grow in the competitive market with ease.