When small businesses think about web design, the focus is usually on aesthetics. Things like colors, layouts, images, and branding. But there’s one crucial piece that often gets overlooked: accessibility.
An accessible website isn’t just about compliance. It’s about making sure that everyone – regardless of ability – can engage with your brand.
For client-focused businesses, accessibility is more than a nice-to-have. It’s a way to embody your values, show inclusivity, and reach a wider audience. And here’s the bonus: accessibility also boosts SEO, helping your site rank higher in search results.
So, what does web accessibility actually mean?
Understanding Web Accessibility
Web accessibility ensures that people with disabilities can navigate, understand, and interact with your site. This includes visitors who may:
- Rely on screen readers because they are visually impaired.
- Navigate by keyboard instead of a mouse due to mobility challenges.
- Need captions or transcripts for audio and video content.
- Struggle with low-contrast text or colorblind-unfriendly palettes.
If your website doesn’t account for these needs, you may be unintentionally excluding potential customers.
Why This Should Matter (a Lot) to Small Businesses
There are all kinds of reasons to care about creating an accessible website:
It’s the Right Thing to Do
Creating an inclusive experience aligns your business with values of respect and care – values that resonate deeply with today’s consumers.
It Expands Your Market
Roughly one in four U.S. adults lives with a disability. That’s a large portion of the population you don’t want to leave behind.
It Boosts SEO
As we touched on above, Google rewards accessible sites. Features like descriptive alt text, proper heading structures, and fast page loads all make sites more accessible, and all improve your search rankings.
It Reduces Legal Risk
Accessibility lawsuits against businesses (both large and small) are on the rise. Proactively addressing accessibility protects you from potential liability.
How Can You Make Sure Your Site Is Accessible?
Here’s a literal checklist you can use to start making your website more inclusive:
- Add Alt Text. Every image should have a clear, descriptive alt tag so screen readers can convey meaning.
- Check Color Contrast. Use accessible color combinations to ensure text is legible for people with visual impairments.
- Enable Keyboard Navigation. Make sure all menus, buttons, and forms can be accessed without a mouse.
- Provide Captions and Transcripts. Videos and podcasts should be paired with text alternatives for users with hearing impairments.
- Use Proper Headings. Organize content with H1, H2, and H3 tags so both users and search engines can follow your structure.
- Test with Real Tools. Free tools like WAVE or Axe can quickly identify accessibility issues on your site.
The ultimate point here is that inclusive design isn’t just a design trend or a compliance issue – it’s a business strategy. By making your site accessible, you demonstrate care for every client, strengthen your SEO, and future-proof your online presence. For small businesses built on relationships and trust, this matters more than ever.
If you’re ready to transform your website into a truly inclusive space, our team can guide you through an accessibility audit and practical improvements. This is something we have done for a number of clients. Alternatively, if you’re looking to create a new site, you can rest assured that we always follow inclusive design principles when building from scratch.
Ready to get started? Book a free consultation and let’s get started.
