What is Website Accessibility
First of all, let’s explain what website accessibility actually means.
Website accessibility means making your website easy to use by everyone, including the folks who may have disabilities or other struggles when navigating the web.
That includes people who may have:
- Visual impairments (blindness, low vision, colour blindness)
- Hearing impairments
- Motor difficulties (trouble using a mouse or keyboard)
- Cognitive or learning disabilities
So in other words, a website is accessible when it allows all users—regardless of their abilities—to easily perceive its content, understand how it works, navigate through it, and interact with it effectively.
Why Website Accessibility Matters
“Why should I care about how accessible my website is?”, I hear you ask.
Well, first of all, some countries and regions have regulations on how accessible a website needs to be (especially in some industries). However, fundamentally, I think all websites should strive to be as accessible as possible so that any user can have a pleasant experience.
It’s like being a good neighbour who considers the needs of others so that they can feel looked after.
How Do You Make Your Website Accessible?
Making your website accessible isn’t something you tick off once and forget about. It’s an ongoing process—one that evolves as your website grows and as you learn more about how people actually use it.
At its core, accessibility is about building a solid foundation first, then improving and refining over time. You don’t need to do everything at once, but you do need to start with the essentials and keep moving forward.
So, where should you begin?
The fundamentals to get right
There are a few key areas that make a big difference straight away:
Content readability
Your content should be clear, simple, and easy to understand. Avoid overly complex language where possible, and structure your content so users can scan it easily.
Colour contrast
Make sure there’s enough contrast between your text and background. If users have to strain to read, they’re likely to leave.
Image alt text
Relevant images should include descriptive alt text so screen readers can interpret them. If an image is purely decorative, it’s better to leave the alt text empty to avoid unnecessary noise.
Meaningful links
Links should describe what they do. Instead of vague phrases like “click here” or “learn more,” use text that clearly explains where the link will take the user.
Other important considerations
Once you’ve covered the basics, there are a few more areas to think about:
Keyboard navigation
Your website should be usable without a mouse. Users should be able to navigate using just a keyboard.
Screen reader support
Ensure your site works well with screen readers, which convert content into speech for visually impaired users.
Captions and transcripts
Any video content should include captions or transcripts so it’s accessible to people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
What can you do right now to improve accessibility?
If you’re wondering where to start, the good news is there are several quick wins you can tackle today—no major redesign required.
1. Review your fonts and text size
Take a close look at your typography. Is your text large enough to read comfortably on all devices? Are your fonts clear, or do they sacrifice readability for style?
A simple tweak to font size or line spacing can instantly improve usability.
2. Check your colour contrast
Go through your key pages and look at your text against its background. If anything feels even slightly hard to read, it’s worth adjusting. There are free tools online that can quickly test contrast levels.
3. Improve your page structure
Look at how your content is organised. Are you using headings properly (H1, H2, H3)? Is your navigation clear and consistent?
A well-structured page doesn’t just help accessibility—it improves SEO and user experience for everyone.
4. Audit your images for alt text
Start with your most important pages—your homepage, service pages, and top traffic pages.
Ask yourself:
- Do the main images have meaningful alt text?
- Are decorative images left blank?
You don’t have to fix everything at once. Start small and build momentum.
5. Test your site without a mouse
Try navigating your website using only your keyboard (Tab, Enter, Shift+Tab).
If you get stuck, lose track of where you are, or can’t access certain elements, that’s a clear sign something needs fixing.
6. Look at your links
Scan through your pages and update any vague link text. Make it obvious where each link goes—this helps both accessibility and user trust.
Final thought
Accessibility isn’t about perfection from day one. It’s about making consistent, thoughtful improvements that make your website usable for more people.
Start with what you can do today, and build from there.