Comments on: New Column at Practical eCommerce: Accessibility and the Law http://www.joedolson.com/articles/2009/06/accessibility-and-the-law/ Tips and Commentary on Web Accessibility, Usability, and Search Marketing best practices. Tue, 07 Feb 2012 10:51:13 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: Jeanne http://www.joedolson.com/articles/2009/06/accessibility-and-the-law/comment-page-1/#comment-32070 Jeanne Thu, 20 Aug 2009 15:38:33 +0000 http://www.joedolson.com/articles/?p=552#comment-32070 Thank you for your detailed response. And for bringing this issue to light for many of us who hadn't considered it. I'll be more aware in future. Thank you for your detailed response. And for bringing this issue to light for many of us who hadn’t considered it. I’ll be more aware in future.

]]> By: Joe Dolson http://www.joedolson.com/articles/2009/06/accessibility-and-the-law/comment-page-1/#comment-32066 Joe Dolson Wed, 19 Aug 2009 23:13:43 +0000 http://www.joedolson.com/articles/?p=552#comment-32066 Not much, to be frank. Especially as long as there's no active law requiring accessibility in commerce within the United States, the primary targets will be large companies. Not because they have deeper pockets, however -- because winning a case against a major online figure sends a stronger message. Even initiating a case against a small player online would send the wrong message, since the bearer of the suit would be perceived as a bully. Taking a case against a major web site is far more likely. Speaking to your direct question - a blogger marketing an affiliate product or two - it's relatively unlikly any issues would be posed at all. The biggest problems online tend to be associated with the sales process, not with product information. As long as you've provided information in text, affiliate marketing passes the bulk of the accessibility burden over to the ultimate seller. Not much, to be frank. Especially as long as there’s no active law requiring accessibility in commerce within the United States, the primary targets will be large companies. Not because they have deeper pockets, however — because winning a case against a major online figure sends a stronger message.

Even initiating a case against a small player online would send the wrong message, since the bearer of the suit would be perceived as a bully. Taking a case against a major web site is far more likely.

Speaking to your direct question - a blogger marketing an affiliate product or two - it’s relatively unlikly any issues would be posed at all. The biggest problems online tend to be associated with the sales process, not with product information. As long as you’ve provided information in text, affiliate marketing passes the bulk of the accessibility burden over to the ultimate seller.

]]> By: Jeanne http://www.joedolson.com/articles/2009/06/accessibility-and-the-law/comment-page-1/#comment-32065 Jeanne Wed, 19 Aug 2009 23:02:38 +0000 http://www.joedolson.com/articles/?p=552#comment-32065 As the owner of several (very) small websites, this article concerns me. First, I wouldn't have a clue how to make my sites accessible, which tells me I'd better look into the resource cited. I wonder, though, if lawsuits would target the small entrepreneur or the companies with perceived deep pockets. What sort of threat do you believe exists for a blogger marketing an affiliate product or two? As the owner of several (very) small websites, this article concerns me. First, I wouldn’t have a clue how to make my sites accessible, which tells me I’d better look into the resource cited. I wonder, though, if lawsuits would target the small entrepreneur or the companies with perceived deep pockets. What sort of threat do you believe exists for a blogger marketing an affiliate product or two?

]]> By: Monica http://www.joedolson.com/articles/2009/06/accessibility-and-the-law/comment-page-1/#comment-31886 Monica Fri, 24 Jul 2009 21:09:28 +0000 http://www.joedolson.com/articles/?p=552#comment-31886 Posts like yours should be mass-distributed so that every single person who's even thinking about starting e-commercing has it right at hand. Congratulations! Posts like yours should be mass-distributed so that every single person who’s even thinking about starting e-commercing has it right at hand. Congratulations!

]]> By: Anne http://www.joedolson.com/articles/2009/06/accessibility-and-the-law/comment-page-1/#comment-31867 Anne Mon, 20 Jul 2009 20:52:50 +0000 http://www.joedolson.com/articles/?p=552#comment-31867 Excellent article! Anyone interested in e-commerce should read this article. Very clear! Excellent article! Anyone interested in e-commerce should read this article. Very clear!

]]> By: Jill http://www.joedolson.com/articles/2009/06/accessibility-and-the-law/comment-page-1/#comment-31849 Jill Thu, 16 Jul 2009 21:05:09 +0000 http://www.joedolson.com/articles/?p=552#comment-31849 I totally agree with Jenny. I'm starting a new online venture and e-commerce is a big part of it. This article has really caught my attention! I totally agree with Jenny. I’m starting a new online venture and e-commerce is a big part of it. This article has really caught my attention!

]]> By: Jenny http://www.joedolson.com/articles/2009/06/accessibility-and-the-law/comment-page-1/#comment-31832 Jenny Mon, 13 Jul 2009 21:50:23 +0000 http://www.joedolson.com/articles/?p=552#comment-31832 Excellent article. Thank's for sharing it with us! The example situation it includes really deserves everybody's attention. Excellent article. Thank’s for sharing it with us! The example situation it includes really deserves everybody’s attention.

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