How to Make a Website Accessible

This article gives practical tips on how to make your website accessible, highlights the benefits of website accessibility from a private or small business perspective and further considerations when it comes to accessibility best practices.

Implementing digital accessibility practices ensures not only accessibility for disabled users, but also enables flexible ways of consuming content to a wide range of people in a variety of circumstances.

For an introduction to website accessibility, read our previous article: What is website accessibility?

1. Enhanced User Experience: Accessibility improvements make navigation simpler and clearer for everyone.
2. Legal Risk Reduction: Complying with accessibility standards reduces the risk of legal action.
3. SEO Benefits: Accessible websites rank better (1).
4. Broadened Audience Reach: Accessibility widens your site’s potential user base.
5. Strengthened Brand Reputation: Accessible websites are seen as fair and inclusive, enhancing brand trust (2)

1. Text and Content: Use readable fonts and provide alternative text (alt text) for images to ensure they can be understood by screen readers. Alt text supports better user experience and accessibility, which are valuable for SEO, making it easier for search engine bots to interpret (3).
2. Navigation: Create keyboard-friendly layouts and consistent menus that enhance usability for all users, including those relying on screen readers.(4)
3. Colour and Contrast: WCAG sets minimum contrast standards for readability, beneficial for users with low vision and for everyone in bright light settings. (5)
4. Video and Audio: Add captions to videos and transcripts to audio to accommodate users with hearing impairments. (6)
5. Forms and Buttons: Label fields clearly, making it easier for all users, including those with disabilities, to navigate forms (7).

To further enhance your website’s accessibility, consider these best practices:

• Evaluate Accessibility Early: Implement accessibility checks during the design phase to address potential issues proactively, saving time from re-editing a website design.
• Follow WCAG Guidelines: Adhere to the most current WCAG standards, currently WCAG 2.2.
• Test with Real Users: Periodic testing with individuals of varied abilities can reveal otherwise unnoticed accessibility challenges.

Leverage free accessibility checker tools to identify and fix common issues, such as:

• WAVE – Free Accessibility Test
• Lighthouse –  An open-source, automated tool for improving the quality of web pages
• AudioEye – Free Website Accessibility Checker

While evaluation tools are helpful, automated tools can’t catch all types of accessibility issues, such as contextual or navigational challenges. Knowledgeable human assessment is necessary to ensure full compliance with accessibility guidelines.

Incorporating accessibility into your website creates an inclusive digital environment, supports legal compliance and strengthens SEO, which is an invaluable strategy in today’s digital landscape.

Implementing even small accessibility changes can make a significant difference for users, enhancing their experience and expanding your audience.

Take the first step with our custom website design packages or SEO packages, crafted to not only elevate accessibility but also to boost your site’s overall visibility and performance. Let’s work together to create a website that’s welcoming and efficient for all.

1. Accessibility and SEO: how does accessibility affect SEO?, Hand Talk
2. The Business Case for Digital Accessibility, W3C
3. Alternative Text for Images, WebAIM
4. The Importance of Keyboard Accessibility, Recite Me
5. Understanding Minimum Contrast Requirements in WCAG, World Wide Web Consortium (W3C)
6. Creating Accessible Forms, WebAIM
7. Designer Tips: Improving Button Accessibility, Level Access