Not Just for Some: Why Accessibility Is a Must for Your Website

A guy walks into a bar, but the ramp is missing, the menu isn’t readable, and the lights are too dim for anyone to find their way. Sounds like a setup for a joke, right? Unfortunately, for many, this is real life.

Accessibility isn’t just about physical spaces. The same challenges exist online, where countless websites fail to consider users with disabilities. Studies find that over 96% of the world’s top one million websites aren’t accessible.

Making your website accessible is more than fixing inconveniences; it’s about opening the door to inclusivity and better business results. So, let’s dive into why accessibility should be your priority and how to implement it effectively on your site.

Why Accessibility Matters for Everyone

Web accessibility means designing your site so everyone can use it: navigating with a screen reader, using a keyboard instead of a mouse, or relying on captions to understand a video. 

In short, it’s about creating an inclusive space that welcomes all users, regardless of ability.

Eliminate Barriers for All Users

Imagine trying to fill out a form, only to realize you can’t navigate it with your keyboard, or watching a video without captions in a quiet library.

These are everyday barriers for millions of people. Web accessibility removes these hurdles, offering equal access to information, products, and services.

SEO and Legal Benefits of Accessibility

Besides being the right thing to do, web accessibility is a smart business practice. Features like alt text for images or clear site structures help search engines better understand your content, improving your search engine optimization (SEO). 

Plus, compliance with accessibility laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) isn’t optional. Lawsuits and penalties for inaccessible websites are rising, and ignoring this can cost more than just your reputation.

The Bigger Picture: Why Web Accessibility Equals Business Growth

Web accessibility is more than doing the right thing. It’s a strategic move that drives business success.

• Improved User Experience (UX): Accessible websites create smoother navigation and better user usability, reducing bounce rates and keeping visitors engaged longer.
• Wider Audience Reach: By prioritizing web accessibility, you make your site usable for millions of people who need additional navigation features, opening your business to a broader audience.
• Stronger SEO: Accessibility features like alt text, transcripts, and semantic HTML align perfectly with SEO best practices, helping search engines better understand and rank your site.
• Legal Protection: Ensuring web accessibility helps your site comply with ADA standards, reducing the risk of costly lawsuits and reputational damage.

The POUR Principles: The Core of Web Accessibility

Creating an accessible website might sound a bit techy, but it involves one simple framework: POUR. It stands for Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust, or the four pillars of web accessibility. 

Let’s examine these pillars.

Perceivable: Making Content Detectable

All users should be able to perceive your content. For instance, images need alt text so screen readers can describe them, and videos need captions for those who can’t hear.

Think of it as ensuring everyone can see or hear your message, no matter their ability.

Operable: Ensuring Usability

Your site needs to be functional for everyone. Can users navigate using only a keyboard? Are buttons big enough to click easily?

Removing barriers like overly complex menus makes your site operable for all.

Understandable: Keeping Things Clear

Your content and navigation should be simple to understand. Use plain language, predictable layouts, and clear instructions. Without that, web accessibility cannot achieve its purpose.

If visitors get confused or overwhelmed, they will leave, which applies to all users, not just those with disabilities.

Robust: Built for All Technologies

Your website should work across various browsers, devices, and assistive tools.

Your content should be accessible and functional, whether someone uses a screen reader, voice command, or smartphone.

How to Make Your Website Accessible

Making your website accessible doesn’t require a full overhaul. It’s about addressing key areas step by step. Here’s how you can get started:

• Start with an Accessibility Audit: Use tools like WAVE or Axe to identify barriers on your site. These tools highlight issues like missing alt text, contrast errors, or keyboard navigation problems.
• Provide Alternative Text for Images: Add descriptive alt text to all images. This helps screen readers convey image content to visually impaired users and improves web accessibility and SEO.
• Use Clear and Consistent Navigation: Ensure menus and links are easy to follow. Avoid complex layouts that confuse users or screen readers.
• Enable Keyboard Accessibility: Design your site so users can navigate it using only a keyboard. Test functionality, such as tabbing through forms or dropdown menus.
• Include Captions for Multimedia: Add captions or transcripts to videos and audio content to make it accessible to users with hearing impairments.
• Improve Color Contrast: Check that your text contrasts nicely with its background. Tools like Contrast Checker can help you meet web accessibility requirements.
• Choose Accessible Themes and Plugins: If using a CMS like WordPress, select themes and plugins specifically designed for web accessibility.
• Use ARIA Labels and Roles: Add ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) attributes to enhance navigation for assistive technologies. For example, clearly label buttons or forms.
• Test with Real Users: Involve people with disabilities in usability testing. Their feedback ensures your site meets actual needs.
• Update and Audit regularly: Accessibility isn’t a one-and-done task. Periodically check for new issues, especially after site updates or redesigns.

These steps ensure your site not only meets web accessibility standards but also creates a welcoming experience for all users.

Let’s Make Your Website Friendly for Everyone

Web accessibility isn’t just a technical upgrade but a necessity for creating a fair, inclusive, and effective website. When your site is accessible, it works better for everyone, not just users with disabilities. From enhancing user experience to boosting rankings and keeping your business legally compliant, accessibility touches every corner of your online presence.

Did you know that web accessibility plays a big role in technical SEO? If you need help adding it to your SEO strategy, let’s do it together.

At Zlurad, our technical SEO experts specialize in creating tailored plans for every client wanting to make their site rank well. We can identify and fix your accessibility and other issues, ensuring your site meets the needs of all visitors while maximizing its SEO potential.

Do you want a test drive? Get the free technical SEO report, and let us know what needs to be fixed.