Making Your Website Accessible: Why It Matters and How to Do It

In today's digital world, having an accessible website isn't just a nice-to-have—it's essential. Web accessibility ensures that people with disabilities can perceive, understand, navigate, and interact with your website. And while it might seem like a niche concern, the reality is that approximately 15% of the global population lives with some form of disability.

At WebScore360, accessibility is a key component of your overall website score because it directly impacts your site's usability and reach. Let's explore why accessibility matters and how you can improve it on your website.

Why Accessibility Matters

Web accessibility isn't just about doing the right thing (though that's important too). Here are compelling reasons to prioritize it:

• Larger Audience: An accessible website can reach more people, including the 1+ billion individuals worldwide with disabilities.
• Legal Compliance: Many countries have laws requiring digital accessibility (like the ADA in the US or the Equality Act in the UK).
• Better User Experience: Accessibility improvements often make a website better for everyone, not just users with disabilities.
• SEO Benefits: Many accessibility best practices align with SEO best practices, potentially improving your search rankings.

Common Accessibility Issues (and How to Fix Them)

Here are some frequent accessibility problems and practical solutions:

1. Poor Color Contrast

The Problem: Text that doesn't stand out clearly from its background is difficult to read for many users, especially those with visual impairments or color blindness.

The Fix: Ensure sufficient contrast between text and background colors. The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) recommend a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text. Use tools like the WebAIM Contrast Checker to verify your color choices.

WebScore360 Angle: Color contrast issues are directly flagged in our accessibility analysis, making them easy to identify and fix.

2. Missing Alt Text for Images

The Problem: Screen readers can't interpret images without alternative text, meaning users with visual impairments miss important content.

The Fix: Add descriptive alt text to all meaningful images on your site. The alt text should convey the purpose or content of the image. For decorative images that don't add content value, use an empty alt attribute (alt="") to let screen readers know they can skip it.

WebScore360 Angle: Our analysis scans for missing alt text across your site, helping you identify images that need attention.

3. Keyboard Navigation Issues

The Problem: Many users can't use a mouse and rely on keyboard navigation instead. If your site isn't properly coded for keyboard use, these visitors can't access all your content.

The Fix: Ensure all interactive elements (links, buttons, form controls) can be accessed and operated using only the keyboard. The tab order should be logical, and the current focus should be visibly indicated. Test your site by navigating through it using only the Tab key.

WebScore360 Angle: Keyboard accessibility is an important factor in your overall accessibility score, reflecting how inclusive your site is to all users.

4. Non-Descriptive Link Text

The Problem: Links that say "click here" or "read more" don't provide context when read in isolation (as they often are by screen readers).

The Fix: Use descriptive link text that makes sense out of context. Instead of "click here," use text that describes where the link goes or what action it performs, like "View our pricing plans" or "Read full accessibility guidelines."

WebScore360 Angle: Our analysis checks for common non-descriptive link patterns, helping you identify opportunities to improve navigation for all users.

How WebScore360 Helps

Identifying and fixing accessibility issues can be challenging, but WebScore360 simplifies the process:

• Accessibility Score: We analyze your website against key accessibility standards and provide a clear score (0-100).
• Issue Detection: Our report identifies specific accessibility problems on your site, from missing alt text to color contrast issues.
• Prioritized Recommendations: We help you focus on the most impactful fixes first, making the process manageable even for non-technical users.

Ready to Make Your Website More Accessible?

An accessible website isn't just the right thing to do—it's good for business. It expands your audience, reduces legal risk, improves user experience, and can even boost your SEO.

Get your free WebScore360 report today and see how your website scores on accessibility. Your journey to a more inclusive online presence starts with understanding where you stand!