Building a website isn’t just about making it look good or function smoothly—it’s about making sure everyone, no matter their abilities, can use and enjoy it. Prioritizing accessibility not only helps you reach more people but also boosts your website’s SEO. Search engines favor user-friendly sites, and accessibility features improve your overall performance. Here are three key areas to focus on when designing an accessible website.
1. Make Text Easy to Read
Text is one of the main ways people interact with your website, so it’s important to make it as clear and accessible as possible. This means paying attention to clarity, contrast, and making sure assistive technologies can work with it.
### a. Use High Contrast Colors
Make sure the contrast between your text and background is strong enough to meet WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) standards. For most text, aim for a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1. There are tools like WebAIM’s Contrast Checker that can help you test your colors. High contrast also enhances readability, keeping users engaged longer and reducing bounce rates—a key SEO factor.
### b. Allow Text to Be Scaled
Your text should be easy to resize without messing up the layout of your site. Use relative units like ems or percentages instead of fixed units like pixels, and check how your site looks when zoomed in. Scalable text ensures your content is accessible to users with visual impairments and improves the overall user experience, which search engines reward.
2. Design for Keyboard Navigation
Not everyone uses a mouse to get around a website. Some rely on a keyboard, whether it’s due to motor disabilities or because they’re using a screen reader. Make sure your site is easy to navigate with just a keyboard.
### a. Create a Logical Tab Order
Make sure users can navigate through your site in a way that makes sense when they press the Tab key. The order should follow the visual layout, so it’s easy to find menus, links, and forms. Logical navigation structures also improve crawlability for search engines.
### b. Highlight Focused Elements
When someone tabs through your site, they should be able to see where they are. Interactive elements like buttons, links, and forms should have clear focus indicators, like an outline or highlight, when selected. This not only helps users but also signals to search engines that your site prioritizes functionality.
3. Visual & Audio Content Accessible
Not everyone experiences your content the same way. Some might rely on visual aids, while others need alternatives to audio content. Providing options ensures everyone can engage with your site.
### a. Add Alt Text for Images
Alt text helps screen readers describe images to visually impaired users. Keep it concise but make sure it explains the purpose of the image in the context of the page. Including descriptive alt text also improves your site’s SEO, as search engines use this information to understand your images.
### b. Include Captions and Transcripts
For videos, provide captions and transcripts. These help users who are deaf or hard of hearing, as well as those who might prefer reading over listening. Plus, they’re great for anyone in a quiet environment or looking for quick information. Transcripts also make your content searchable by search engines, giving you an extra SEO boost.
Designing for accessibility isn’t just about following rules—it’s about creating a better experience for everyone. By focusing on readable text, keyboard navigation, and accessible multimedia, you’ll make your website more inclusive and user-friendly. As a bonus, you’ll improve your SEO, attract more visitors, and keep them engaged longer. Small changes can make a big difference, so start implementing these tips today!
