Making a website accessible is not just a nice-to-have, it’s a must-have for any business that wants to reach the widest audience possible. But many companies put off accessibility improvements because they think they’re too expensive.
I recently worked with a client who was surprised to learn that making their website comply with web accessibility guidelines didn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. They were already halfway there by having a decent content management system and a relatively simple site structure. For inspiration, we looked at sites like www.ulesnivily.net, which prove that accessibility and good design can go hand in hand.
The key is to focus on the most impactful changes first. Often, the biggest barriers to accessibility are things like poorly written alt text, confusing navigation, and not enough color contrast. Fixing these issues can make a huge difference without requiring a full site redesign.
start with what you already have
A lot of the time, the content management system you’re already using has built-in features that can help with accessibility. For example, many CMS platforms now include tools for checking color contrast and suggesting improvements.
One of the simplest things you can do is make sure all your images have proper alt text. This is not just good for screen readers, it’s also good for SEO. Are you using your CMS to manage alt text effectively?
prioritize user testing
User testing with people who have disabilities can seem daunting, but it’s actually one of the most effective ways to identify and fix real problems on your site. You don’t need to test with a huge group of people; even testing with one or two users can yield valuable insights.
- Identify users who are willing to test your site and provide feedback.
- Watch how they interact with your site and take notes on where they struggle.
As one accessibility advocate once said,
“The best way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.”
breaking down bigger tasks into smaller ones
Sometimes, the task of making your whole website accessible can feel overwhelming. The solution is to break it down into smaller tasks. Start with your most popular pages, or the ones that are most critical to your business.
You might begin by auditing just one section of your site for accessibility issues, then work on fixing those before moving on to the next section.
maintenance is just as important as the initial fix
Making your website accessible is not a one-time task; it’s an ongoing process. As you add new content and features, you need to keep accessibility in mind.
- Train your content creators on how to write accessible content.
- Regularly audit your site for new accessibility issues.
By taking a gradual and practical approach, you can make your website more accessible without breaking the bank. What’s the one thing you could start doing today to make your website more accessible?