Why accessibility matters for growing businesses

And how inclusive content design helps you reach more people.

When we think about accessibility, we often picture physical spaces — ramps, lifts, accessible toilets. But in today’s world, digital accessibility is just as essential, especially for growing businesses that rely on online platforms to build trust, connect with customers, and drive growth.

Whether you're creating social media posts, updating your website, or sharing digital products, designing with accessibility in mind isn’t just a nice extra — it’s a smart and inclusive business move.

What is digital accessibility?

Digital accessibility means creating online content and experiences that work for everyone — including people with disabilities or those who interact with content in different ways. That might include:

• People who use screen readers or voice commands

• Users with low vision, colour blindness, or hearing loss

• People with cognitive differences or learning disabilities

• Anyone relying on captions, alt text, or simplified layouts to navigate your content

In simple terms: accessibility is about removing digital barriers, so that everyone can interact with your content clearly and confidently.

Why accessibility matters for small and growing businesses

You might be thinking, “I’m just getting started — do I really need to think about this now?”
The answer is yes. And here’s why:

1. You’ll reach more people

Over 14 million people in the UK live with a disability. That’s a significant part of your potential audience — and if your content isn’t accessible, you could be excluding them without realising it.

2. It builds trust and credibility

People notice the small details — like readable fonts, image descriptions, or captioned videos. Prioritising accessibility shows care, professionalism, and values-driven thinking. It helps your business stand out for the right reasons.

3. Accessible content performs better

Clean, well-structured content doesn’t just help those with access needs — it helps everyone. Think improved readability, clearer messaging, and better engagement on platforms like Instagram and Facebook. Accessible social media is more shareable and user-friendly by default.

4. It future-proofs your business

With regulations like the European Accessibility Act coming into force, building accessible digital spaces now puts you ahead of the curve — rather than playing catch-up later.

What does accessible content actually look like?

You don’t need to do everything at once. Small changes go a long way when building inclusive content design into your workflow. For example:

• Use strong colour contrast so text is easy to read (especially against white backgrounds)

• Add alt text to images so screen readers can describe visuals

• Write clear, structured captions and avoid long blocks of text

• Break up posts using line spacing and sentence case for readability

• Skip emojis at the beginning of sentences — screen readers read them aloud

• Avoid decorative or overly stylised fonts — they look great, but often compromise clarity

If you're creating content in Canva, use the built-in contrast checker and test designs in both dark and light modes. If you’re writing for Instagram, keep emojis to a minimum and avoid adding web links in captions (screen readers can get tripped up on those too).

Digital accessibility isn’t a trend — it’s good design

Accessibility isn’t about rules. It’s about people. When your content is easier to access, it’s easier to enjoy, engage with, and share.

For growing businesses, that means better visibility, stronger connections, and a brand that more people feel comfortable engaging with.

You don’t need a full-time designer or developer to get started — just an openness to learn, and a willingness to shift the way you create.

What’s next?

This is the first in a new blog series focused on accessibility in social media and digital content. Coming up, I’ll share practical tools, quick fixes, and tips you can start using straight away — whether you manage your own socials or create content for clients.

Want to stay in the loop? Sign up to receive my free Accessibility Checklist for Social Media (coming soon btw). Or drop me a message if you’d like help making your content more inclusive.