Have you ever tried to access a website only to find that it’s difficult or impossible to navigate? This is a frustrating experience that many people with disabilities face on a daily basis. As a website owner, it’s important to prioritize accessibility in order to create a user-friendly experience for all visitors.
Creating an accessible website is not only the right thing to do, but it’s also good for business. By making your website accessible, you can reach a wider audience, improve user experience, and even boost your search engine rankings. In this article, we’ll discuss the importance of website accessibility and provide tips on how to create a site that’s available to all users.
Why Creating an Accessible Website Should Be Your Main Priority
A website that’s not accessible to everyone, including those with disabilities, means that your site won’t get optimal traffic. You’re also making it difficult for people who have a vision or hearing disabilities to access parts of your website that are important for sales or to convey information about your business.
When a website is designed with accessibility in mind, it means that it can be easily navigated by people with visual or hearing impairments or even cognitive disabilities. This can be achieved through various techniques, such as using alt text for images, providing closed captions for videos, and using clear and concise language.
By making your website accessible, you are opening up your business to a wider audience that may have previously been unable to access your products or services. This can lead to increased sales, customer loyalty, and a positive brand reputation.
Tips on How to Make Your Website Accessible
Now that you have more of an understanding of why creating accessible sites is important, you now need to take steps to ensure your website is available to everyone. In this section, you’ll find valuable tips on how to create an accessible website so you can start seeing a boost in traffic!
Check Your Website’s Accessibility
Are you unsure whether your site is accessible to everyone? One of the best ways to check your site is to conduct online accessibility testing. This type of testing is a process of evaluating a website or application to ensure that it can be accessed and used by people with disabilities.
The testing aims to identify any barriers or obstacles that may prevent these users from using the site and to provide recommendations for improving accessibility.
It involves the use of specialized tools and techniques to evaluate various aspects of a website, such as its layout, navigation, content, and functionality. This may include testing for compliance with accessibility standards such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), as well as conducting user testing with individuals who have disabilities.
Apply Keyboard Navigations to Your Site
Adding keyboard navigation to a website is essential to make it easier for people who can’t use a mouse. By adding keyboard navigation, users can easily move between links, buttons, and other interactive elements on a website using only the arrow keys or the tab key.
In addition to improving accessibility, keyboard navigation can also improve the overall user experience of a website. Users who prefer to navigate using their keyboard may find it faster and more efficient than using a mouse. It can also help users who are unfamiliar with utilizing a mouse or touchpad, such as older visitors or those who are new to using computers.
Add Alt Text To Your Images
Perhaps one of the easiest ways to make your website more accessible is to add alt texts to images you upload onto your website. Image alt text refers to the alternative text description that is added to an image on a website.
This text is used to describe the image in a way that is accessible to people who are visually impaired or who are using screen readers to navigate the website. Use detailed alt text to describe your images so that people using screen readers can get a full understanding of what the message in the picture is all about.
Use High Contrast Colors
Using high-contrast colours ensures that website content is easily readable and distinguishable for individuals with visual impairments or colour blindness.
High-contrast colours provide a clear distinction between the foreground and background, making it easier for users to read the text and navigate the website. For individuals with visual impairments, high-contrast colours can help improve their ability to perceive and comprehend the content on the website, reducing the risk of eye strain or fatigue.
Add Captions and Transcripts to Videos
Adding captions and transcripts to videos is important to make content more accessible to all individuals, including those who have a hearing disability. Transcripts and captions are also for those who have difficulty understanding spoken language and those who prefer to read rather than watch videos.
Final Thoughts
Creating an accessible website is not only important for people with disabilities, but it also benefits businesses by increasing their reach and improving the user experience for all visitors. By following the guidelines for accessibility, businesses can make their websites more inclusive and welcoming to a wider audience.
