How to Build Accessible Websites for All Users

Why Website Accessibility Matters

Creating a website that everyone can use is more than a compliance requirement, it’s about making the web inclusive for all. An estimated 1 billion people worldwide live with some form of disability. Ensuring your website is accessible helps all users engage with your content, regardless of ability.

Accessibility also comes with strategic benefits. It improves search engine visibility, lowers legal risk, and expands your potential audience. More importantly, it reflects a commitment to digital equality, an essential component of responsible UX design.

Core Principles of Accessible Web Design

Improving accessibility starts with a few key design principles that ensure your website works well for everyone:

• Perceivable Content
  Use alt text for images, captions for videos, and appropriate ARIA labels for dynamic elements to help assistive technologies interpret your content.
  
  
• Operable Interface
  Make sure users can navigate your site using only a keyboard. Visible focus states and consistent navigation structures help make this possible.
  
  
• Understandable Structure
  Use clear headings, readable fonts, and a logical content hierarchy. Consistent layout and responsive design help users find what they need faster on any device.
  
  
• Robust Compatibility
  Support common assistive technologies like screen readers (e.g., VoiceOver, NVDA, or JAWS) by writing clean code and testing across tools.
  
  

Understanding WCAG Compliance

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.1/2.2) offer a clear structure for building accessible websites. These standards are divided into three levels of compliance:

• Level A (Basic): Includes foundational elements such as text alternatives and keyboard functionality.
  
  
• Level AA (Standard): Covers more user-focused enhancements like sufficient color contrast (minimum 4.5:1) and clearly labeled form fields.
  
  
• Level AAA (Advanced): Targets the most accessible experience, such as providing sign language interpretation and improved content readability.
  
  

If you’re unsure where to start, aligning with Level AA is generally considered the industry baseline.

Looking to implement WCAG standards across your site? Explore our web accessibility solutions for tailored support.

5 Practical Steps to Make Your Website More Accessible

1. Use Semantic HTML

Using proper HTML tags like heading levels (<h1> to <h6>) and landmark roles makes your content more navigable and enhances SEO.

2. Check Color Contrast

Ensure text stands out from its background by following WCAG’s color contrast guidelines. Tools like WebAIM’s Contrast Checker can help you stay compliant.

3. Support Keyboard Navigation

Test your site using only the keyboard. Add skip links and ensure interactive elements (like menus and forms) are easily accessible via the Tab key.

4. Make Media Content Accessible

Provide closed captions for videos and transcripts for audio content. These not only aid users with hearing impairments but also improve overall content clarity.

5. Run Accessibility Audits

Use automated tools like WAVE, Axe, or Google Lighthouse to identify issues. Combine automated checks with manual testing for best results.

How Accessibility Enhances SEO

Accessibility improvements often overlap with SEO best practices, providing dual benefits:

• Lower bounce rates – Clear structure and ease of use keep visitors engaged.
  
  
• Faster load times – Cleaner code and lightweight design improve page speed and Core Web Vitals.
  
  
• Greater reach – An inclusive design appeals to a broader audience, improving visibility and conversions.
  
  

Accessibility also reinforces mobile usability, another ranking factor in Google’s mobile-first indexing.

Design That Works for Everyone

Making your website accessible is a long-term investment in better user experience, broader audience reach, and stronger digital performance.

Following WCAG guidelines and integrating accessibility into your development process, you create a site that serves all users, regardless of ability or device.

Need guidance on implementing accessibility best practices? Get in touch with our team to schedule an accessibility review or learn more about our inclusive design services.