RE: statistics - for differences between accessible and non-accessible sites?

Dear All,
Although numbers may help to make a good business case, I would hope that the legislative efforts of all governments were enough to make anyone think twice about building an inaccessible website. However, perhaps it is enough to think that approximately 15% of the UK population is, in some way or another, disabled. Not only that, let us also factor in the almost 50% of the population that does not own a PC of its own (or similar device in which to access the Internet) and therefore has to rely on slow connections at public libraries, etc. Then take the spending power of this group (currently estimated at £40 billion in the UK alone)...

Moreover, making a website accessible to all will surely bring in more revenue than not doing so. There is a famous quote by Vic Reeves (yes, the comedian) who said that 88% of all statistics are made up on the spot. Let us not consider statistics, but consider that accessibility should be one of the first things considered when building a website, and in many cases is breaking the law to not do so in many countries around the world.

In turn, there are many other more valid business cases than: How many extra visitors will we get?

So, to answer the original question: 20% of £1 (or $) is still 20% more revenue, and receiving 11 hits when you only had ten is 10% more than you had previously. As you might now see, statistics of this kind can cause more problems than fix.

If you need more help with putting forward good business cases, please check out the WAI's own URL on this matter: http://www.w3.org/WAI/EO/Drafts/bcase/bc

Although this might seem like a flame, please do not take it as so. I have spent a long time putting forward accessiblity to many clients, only for them to ask for stats that back up my claims. Making a site accessible, in fact building a site, will only be as successful as the original business plan that created the start-up. If a client is not happy to make a site accessible, do it as standard and they will probably never even know the difference...

Regards
Simon White


-----Original Message-----
From: Ken Reader [mailto:kreader@attaininc.org]
Sent: Friday, January 11, 2002 14:00
To: Pat Byrne; w3c-wai-ig@w3.org
Subject: RE: statistics - for differences between accessible and
non-accessible sites?


Good Point!  I would like to see numbers like that as well.  

Ken Reader
IT Coordinator
ATTAIN, Inc.
2346 S. Lynhurst Drive
STE 507
Indianapolis, IN 46241
Telephone (317) 486-8808 or (800)528-8246
Fax (317) 486-8809
Relay Indiana (800)743-3333
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Thanks


-----Original Message-----
From: Pat Byrne [mailto:pat@glasgowwestend.co.uk]
Sent: Friday, January 11, 2002 8:53 AM
To: w3c-wai-ig@w3.org
Subject: statistics - for differences between accessible and
non-accessible sites?


Hi,

Does anyone have any statistics that give a clear indication of the
benefits
of making a Website accessible? e.g. an accessible site will have 10%
more
visitors, or is 20% easier to us, or will generate 10% more revenue.

Is there anything of that nature - that would help make a direct appeal
to
business clients?

Thanks,
Pat

Glasgow West End: Pat's Guide: http://www.glasgowwestend.co.uk

Guide to all that's best in Glasgow's West End: What's On, Eating Out,
Shopping, Flat Hunting, Local Characters, Classified Ads., Community
Pinboard, Art for Sale and Free Photographs to download.

ScotConnect: http://www.scotconnect.com

A smooth transition to providing accessible information on the Internet.
Quick to load, accessible Web sites - built with the minimum of fuss.

Jim and Pat Byrne
Tel: +44(0)141 334 1650



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Received on Friday, 11 January 2002 09:27:35 UTC