Creating a website that works for everyone is no longer optional – it’s essential. Accessibility by design ensures your site is usable for people with disabilities, while also improving usability, engagement, and search engine visibility.
This guide covers key design principles, practical tips, and ways to audit your website’s design to ensure inclusivity.
Accessible design removes barriers for users with disabilities, including:
Accessible website design also benefits all users: better readability, intuitive navigation, faster load times, and mobile-friendliness. Plus, as we discussed in our SEO & Accessibility blog, accessible websites naturally perform better in search engines.
Users must be able to perceive the content.
Example: A flower shop website uses high-contrast text over product images and includes alt text describing the flowers.
Users should be able to interact with all site elements.
Example: A local power tool supplier ensures their e-commerce checkout can be completed entirely via keyboard, helping both accessibility and mobile users.
Content and interface should be easy to read and comprehend.
Example: A wine and spirits merchant presents product categories in a simple, predictable layout and labels buttons clearly (“Add to Basket” rather than “Submit”).
Content must work across devices and assistive technologies.
Example: A water garden plant supplier ensures their site layout scales for mobile users, keeping menus and forms fully accessible.
Here’s a quick checklist to make your website more accessible:
| Area | Tip |
|---|---|
| Images | Always add descriptive alt text |
| Text | Use readable fonts, sizes, and contrast |
| Navigation | Ensure menus are keyboard-navigable |
| Forms | Label all input fields clearly |
| Multimedia | Provide captions and transcripts |
| Layout | Use consistent headings and logical flow |
| Links | Use descriptive link text instead of “click here” |
| Mobile | Ensure touch targets are large enough and responsive |
| Testing | Audit using tools like WAVE, Lighthouse, AXE |
Accessible design isn’t just ethical, it can also boost local SEO and engagement for small businesses. Here’s how some types of Herefordshire businesses can apply it:
Each of these design choices makes the site more inclusive while also helping search engines understand content, linking directly to SEO benefits.
Regular testing ensures your website remains accessible. Recommended tools include:
Regular testing helps fix issues early, prevents accessibility pitfalls, and aligns design with SEO goals.
Accessible design is good for users, business, and search engines. By following WCAG principles, using proper contrast, readable fonts, clear navigation, and semantic code, your website becomes inclusive and easier to rank.
Accessible design is a win-win: it increases engagement, reduces bounce rates, and opens your site to a broader audience – all while supporting SEO.
If You’d Like Help…
Need help making your website accessible while boosting SEO? Contact us for a tailored design and optimisation review for your business.