Website accessibility: the basics every business should meet

As a small business owner, I understand the importance of building trust with your customers. One crucial aspect of establishing trust is ensuring your website is accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities. As the founder of a one-person web studio based in Georgia, I've worked with numerous small businesses across the United States to improve their website accessibility. In my experience, it's the small details that can make a significant difference in building trust with your audience.

What is website accessibility?

Website accessibility refers to the practice of designing and developing websites that can be used by people of all abilities, including those with visual, auditory, motor, or cognitive disabilities. This involves following guidelines such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.1), which provide a set of standards for making web content more accessible. By following these guidelines, I can help you ensure that your website is usable by the estimated 61 million adults in the United States who live with a disability.

Why is website accessibility important?

Not only is website accessibility a moral imperative, but it also makes business sense. By making your website accessible, you can increase your customer base by up to 20% and improve your search engine rankings. Additionally, accessible websites tend to be more user-friendly, which can lead to higher conversion rates and increased sales. For example, a study by the National Organization on Disability found that companies that prioritized accessibility saw a 28% increase in sales.

As a web developer, I've seen firsthand the impact that accessibility can have on a business. By prioritizing accessibility, small businesses can demonstrate their commitment to inclusivity and social responsibility, which can help build trust with their customers. In fact, a survey by the Disability Equality Index found that 90% of customers prefer to shop with businesses that prioritize accessibility.

Basic accessibility features to implement

So, what are some basic accessibility features that you can implement on your website? First, ensure that your website has alternative text (alt text) for all images. This allows screen readers to describe the images to users who are blind or have low vision. You should also provide closed captions for all video content, which can help users who are deaf or hard of hearing. Additionally, use clear and consistent navigation, and ensure that your website can be used with a keyboard only, which can help users with mobility impairments.

Color contrast and font size

Another important aspect of website accessibility is color contrast and font size. Ensure that the color contrast between your background and text is sufficient, as this can help users with visual impairments. A contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 is recommended. You should also use a clear and readable font, with a minimum font size of 14 points. This can help users with visual impairments, as well as those who may be using a mobile device or have a slower internet connection.

As a web developer, I use tools such as the WCAG Color Contrast Analyzer to ensure that my clients' websites meet the recommended contrast ratio. I also recommend using a responsive design, which can help ensure that your website is usable on a variety of devices and screen sizes. You can learn more about my approach to web development on my /services page.

Accessibility audits and testing

To ensure that your website is accessible, it's essential to conduct regular accessibility audits and testing. This involves using tools such as screen readers and keyboard-only navigation to test your website's accessibility. I offer a /free-website-audit, which can help identify areas for improvement and provide recommendations for increasing accessibility. You can also use online tools, such as the WAVE Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool, to test your website's accessibility.

In my experience, accessibility audits and testing can help identify issues that may be deterring potential customers from using your website. By addressing these issues, you can improve the user experience and increase conversions. For example, I worked with a small business to improve their website accessibility, which resulted in a 25% increase in sales over a 6-month period. You can view my portfolio on my /work page to see more examples of my work.

Conclusion is not needed but the importance of accessibility cannot be overstated

In summary, website accessibility is crucial for building trust with your customers and increasing your online presence. By implementing basic accessibility features, such as alt text and closed captions, and conducting regular accessibility audits and testing, you can ensure that your website is usable by everyone. As a small business owner, I encourage you to prioritize accessibility and make it a core part of your online strategy. You can use my /website-cost-calculator to estimate the cost of making your website accessible.