Tips for Making Your Website More Accessible
We use technology every day, so website accessibility is now more important than ever. A study by WebAIM found that 96.3% of 1,000,000 websites failed to meet Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2). In the UK, over 14.1 million people have disabilities, and 46% of them are pension-age adults. This makes accessible websites crucial.
Families with at least one disabled member have a spending power of £274 billion yearly. Much of this goes toward technology that helps them use computers. So, how can you make your website more accessible? This guide will give you simple tips to improve your site for users with different needs.
What is Website Accessibility?
Website accessibility means designing and developing websites so people with disabilities can use them easily. These disabilities include:
- Auditory (hearing issues)
- Cognitive (thinking or learning challenges)
- Neurological (brain-related conditions)
- Physical (movement difficulties)
- Speech (talking challenges)
- Visual (sight problems)
You might think making your site accessible requires big changes. But even small steps can make a big difference. Let’s explore how.
Why is Website Accessibility Important?
Making your website accessible helps everyone use it. Here are some key benefits:
1. It Makes Your Site Inclusive
An accessible website lets everyone, including people with disabilities, use your content. This promotes equality and prevents discrimination.
2. It Expands Your Audience
By making your site accessible, you reach more people. This can lead to more sales. Accessibility also helps people in temporary situations, like those with migraines or using screens in bright sunlight.
3. It Can Improve Your SEO
Search engines like Google reward good user experiences. Accessible sites often have clear navigation, readable fonts, and responsive designs, which can boost your SEO rankings.
4. It’s the Right Thing to Do
Making your site accessible supports inclusivity and improves your brand’s reputation.
How Can I Check My Website’s Accessibility?
Your site might seem accessible to you, but not to others. To check, use tools like:
- Accessibility Checker (free and WCAG-compliant)
- Silktide
- Total Validator
- IBM Equal Access karma-accessibility-checker
These tools scan your site and highlight areas for improvement.
Ways to Make Your Website Accessible
Here are simple steps to make your site more accessible today:
1. Add Alt Text
Alt text describes images for screen readers. If an image doesn’t load, the alt text explains what it should show. This helps visually impaired users understand your content.
2. Increase Font Size
Offer larger font options for better readability. Use thick fonts and black text on white backgrounds for clarity. This helps visually impaired users who don’t use screen readers.
3. Improve Keyboard and Voice Navigation
Let users navigate your site with a keyboard or voice commands. This helps people who can’t use a mouse due to physical disabilities or chronic pain.
4. Avoid Using Tables
Screen readers struggle with tables and columns. Reduce their use to make your site easier to navigate for users with speech software.
5. Update as You Go
Make accessibility part of your routine. Add alt text to new images or transcribe new videos. Small changes over time make a big difference.
6. Adjust Colors and Contrast
Use muted colors and high contrast to reduce risks for users with neurological or cognitive issues. Add a monochrome option for color-blind users.
7. Use Headings Properly
Use headings (H1-H6) to structure your content. This helps screen readers and improves SEO.
8. Transcribe Media
Provide accurate captions for videos and transcripts for audio. Let users adjust playback speed so they can read along easily.
Start Improving Your Website Today
Making your website accessible helps everyone. Start with small changes and keep improving. For more tips, visit our blog. If you’re building a new accessible website, check out Progressive Robot’s web hosting and domain name products.
Let’s make the web a better place for everyone!
