Benefits of Technology Audit When Buying or Selling a Business
An audit of compliance and website analytics is crucial when buying or selling a business for several reasons:
- Risk Mitigation: Non-compliance with ADA standards can lead to costly lawsuits and damage to the business’s reputation. A thorough audit can identify potential compliance issues that need to be addressed, thus minimizing these risks.
- Valuation: A website’s performance, as measured by analytics, can significantly influence a business’s value.
High traffic, strong user engagement, and effective conversion pathways can indicate a healthy online presence and strong customer base, enhancing the business’s overall value. - Future Planning: An understanding of the business’s web analytics can provide insights into customer behavior, market trends, and potential areas for growth or improvement. This data can inform strategic planning and decision-making for the prospective buyer.
- Transparency: A clear picture of the business’s web presence can foster trust in business transactions. The seller can demonstrate due diligence and business health, while the buyer gains a clear understanding of what they are purchasing.
- Business Continuity: In case of an acquisition, having a robust backup plan in place ensures business continuity.
It reduces the risk of data loss during the transition, which can impact operations and customer relations.
Overall, an audit of compliance and website analytics provides a clear picture of the business’s digital assets, aids in accurate valuation, helps mitigate potential legal and operational risks, and informs strategic planning for the future.
A comprehensive technology review/audit could also include several other aspects, in addition to ADA compliance, website analytics, and backup plans/procedures. These are relatively easy to audit and can provide valuable insights for the business:
Cybersecurity Measures
Hardware and Software Inventory
Network Infrastructure
User Access Controls
Data Management Practices
Regulatory Compliance
Remember, the primary goal of a technology review/audit is to identify risks and opportunities in the IT environment and to provide recommendations for improvements.
ADA Compliant Site
Essentially, if a website isn't accessible to people with disabilities, it could be seen as discriminatory and in violation of the ADA. Web accessibility can involve many factors, such as providing text alternatives for non-text content, ensuring content is easy to see and hear, and making all functionality available from a keyboard for those who can't use a mouse.
Not being ADA compliant can lead to legal trouble. Businesses across the country have faced lawsuits alleging their websites are not accessible to the visually impaired or hearing impaired, violating the ADA. These lawsuits can result in financial loss due to legal fees and potential damages, not to mention damage to the company's reputation.
Given the legal and ethical importance of ADA compliance, businesses are advised to audit their websites for accessibility and make necessary adjustments. This might involve consulting with web design professionals who specialize in ADA compliance or using automated tools to identify potential accessibility issues.
Remember, the goal isn't just to avoid lawsuits, but to make sure your website and services are accessible to all, improving your company's reach and reputation.