Accessibility basics for business websites

Accessibility means your site can be used by everyone, including people with visual, mobility, or cognitive differences. It’s good design, good UX, and good for SEO.

What accessibility covers

• Text that’s readable and properly structured
  Readable, structured text

  Proper headings and paragraph structure help screen readers and SEO.

  Colour contrast

  Sufficient contrast between text and background. Avoid low-contrast grey on grey.

  Alt text

  Describe meaningful images in plain language. Helps when images fail to load and for screen readers.

  Buttons and links

  Easy to identify and use. Clear focus states for keyboard users.

  Keyboard navigation

  All interactive elements usable with the keyboard alone. Nothing unreachable by tab.

  Screen reader support

  Content and structure that assistive tech can interpret correctly.

  Predictable layouts

  Layouts that behave predictably during load.

When your site is more accessible, search engines can understand it more clearly too.

Key principles

1. Alt text

Describe images in plain language. Helps screen readers and when images fail to load.

2. Contrast

Dark text on light backgrounds, or light on dark, with enough contrast. Avoid low-contrast grey on grey.

3. Keyboard navigation

All interactive elements (links, buttons, forms) should be usable with the keyboard alone. Tab through the page and check that nothing is unreachable.

4. Readable text size

Use legible font sizes. Very small text excludes many users.

5. Form labels

Label form fields clearly. Helps screen readers and improves conversion.

6. Avoid motion overload

Too many animations can cause issues for people with vestibular or sensory sensitivities. Provide reduced-motion options where possible.

Tools for checking

• WAVE – Accessibility evaluation tool
• Lighthouse – Built into Chrome DevTools; includes an accessibility audit
• WebAIM contrast checker – For testing colour contrast

Why it matters

Accessibility helps more people use your site, builds trust, and supports SEO. Search engines favour clear structure and well-labelled content. Small changes often make a big difference.