The information presented within this guide is aimed at website owners seeking to learn the ropes of web accessibility and to create a more inclusive online environment for people with disabilities. Technical elements are described in layman’s terms, and, as a rule, all topics pertaining to the legalities of web accessibility are presented in as simplified a manner as possible. This blog has no legal bearing, and cannot be relied on in the case of litigation.
Getting your clients to fork over extra cash to add plugins and features to their website can be tough, especially in today’s economy.
The problem is that there are some add ons that are so important, and can have such a transformational impact on their websites that you’d be doing your clients a disservice by not getting them to consider them.
So, what plugins, apps, and solutions will your clients not only show interest in, but potentially thank you for installing on their websites?
We’ve got you covered!
In this blog, we will highlight four add-on and plugin categories that website owners in 2024 and beyond will benefit from the most.
We’ll present you with a list of concrete reasons as to why your clients will need these solutions, and show you what type of clients would benefit most from each plugin and add-on category.
Without further ado, here's the list:
1. Accessibility solutions
Beginning price range: $49 per month
95.9% of the world’s websites are either partially or fully inaccessible to people with disabilities. Chances are, your clients’ websites are part of that statistic.
16% of the world’s population, including 28.7% of adult Americans, live with some form of disability. Your clients will be incapable of servicing this sector (that wields immense spending power), unless you help them solve their accessibility issues.
Luckily, there are a number of powerful solutions that can be easily integrated into just about any type of website, and which will result in your clients becoming accessible.
accessWidget, for example, can be installed on a website after which it will promptly run an automated accessibility scan. Whatever accessibility issues appearing within the website will then be automatically remediated.
A good accessibility tool will also allow visitors to your clients websites to adjust design and UI elements to fit their unique needs.
accessWidget, for example, enables website visitors with certain vision impairments to increase font size, and adjust color contrasts so that they can consume content they otherwise would have been unable to.
Why your clients will thank you for presenting this solution to them:
1. It will help them comply with important laws
If they are a business operating in the United States, there is a good chance your client needs to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Today, many U.S. courts apply the ADA to the online domain, and require websites to be made accessible.
There are other laws that necessitate web accessibility your clients may need to comply with. These include:
- Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, relevant to federally funded bodies and service providers to such organizations
- The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), relevant to many Ontario-registered businesses
2. It will open them up to new business opportunities
When your clients present an accessible website, they indicate to members of the various disability communities that their business or organization is one that sees and welcomes them. This will make it far more likely for people with disabilities to spend money on your clients’ services and offerings.
It is important to note that members of the various disability communities and their family members command an estimated $13 trillion in annual expendable income.
3. Web accessibility will improve their website’s SEO performance
Helping your clients’ websites reach a high level of accessibility brings with it considerable SEO benefits. Core aspects of web accessibility include adding descriptive metadata and alt text to meaningful images, ensuring a high level of readability, and adhering to proper heading structures and hierarchies - all of which are critical for SEO purposes, as well.
What type of client will most likely want to install an accessibility solution?
- SMBs, SMEs, and enterprises who operate in the U.S. and Canada and who need to comply with web accessibility legislation
- Clients looking to appeal to broader audience
- Clients looking to position themselves as socially conscious and appeal to modern consumers
2. AI chatbots
Beginning price range: $29 per month
As your clients' businesses grow, managing a rising volume of customer interactions can become overwhelming. AI chatbots offer a scalable, cost-effective solution that can handle everything from answering general inquiries to managing complaints and qualifying sales leads.
Tools like Tidio.com and Chatbot.com can categorize interactions, ensuring they’re directed to the appropriate team members, all while providing 24/7 support without the need for a full-time staff. This allows your clients to scale their customer service efficiently and effectively.
What type of client will most likely want to install an AI chatbot on their website?
- Website owners looking to scale their businesses but lacking the manpower or resources for continuous manual support
- Clients who want to enhance their customer support strategy by efficiently categorizing and prioritizing interactions, ensuring that the most relevant issues are addressed by the right team members
3. SEO and performance optimization tools
Beginning price range: $6.99 per month
Improving a website's visibility on search engines is crucial for attracting more organic traffic and potential customers. SEO and performance optimization tools are essential in achieving this goal, ensuring that your clients' websites not only rank higher in search results but also offer a smoother, faster user experience.
Tools like Yoast SEO and Rank Math can help optimize both the content and technical aspects of a website, making it more search engine-friendly.
On the performance side, plugins like WP Super Cache or W3 Total Cache significantly enhance site speed, which is not only important for user experience but also for search engine rankings.
What type of client will most likely want to install an SEO and performance optimization tool?
- SMBs and SMEs looking to improve their online visibility
- Clients with content-heavy websites or eCommerce stores
- Clients focused on enhancing user experience and reducing bounce rates
- Clients aiming to increase organic traffic and reduce their reliance on paid advertising
4. Customer review and feedback tools
Beginning price range: $15 per month
Collecting and displaying customer reviews is a powerful way to build trust and credibility for your clients' businesses. Tools like Smash Balloon and Judge.me make it easy to showcase these reviews directly on your clients' websites, integrating seamlessly with their existing platforms.
These tools not only display positive reviews but also provide valuable feedback and insights that can be used to improve products and services. By leveraging customer reviews, businesses can enhance their reputation, increase customer confidence, and ultimately drive more sales.
What type of client will most likely want to install a customer review and feedback tool?
- SMBs and SMEs in customer-centric industries such as retail, hospitality, and services
- Clients looking to build a strong online reputation and attract new customers
- Clients who want to gather actionable feedback to improve their offerings
- Clients aiming to enhance their credibility and trustworthiness through verified customer reviews
Closing thoughts
Your clients won’t want to spend any extra cash on a plugin, add-on, or tool unless they are certain it will benefit them and their business. The case for an accessibility solution is clear: Adherence to important legal requirements, expansion into new lucrative markets, and enhanced brand reputation.
As it turns out, you can promote accessiBe, an accessibility market leader, and also benefit your own web design agency, by joining accessiBe’s Partner Program.
To learn more about the program and whether your agency qualifies for it, press here.