Websites today must accommodate a variety of audiences because so many people use the internet; otherwise, you risk losing potential clients. This holds for persons from all age groups, as well as those who speak different languages or have visual, hearing, or physical impairments.
What does the term “accessibility” mean?
When we discuss accessibility and online design, we typically have persons with disabilities in mind. How is the material on your website accessible to someone with poor vision, restricted movement, or another kind of disability? How simple is it for someone who needs assistive technology—like a sip-and-puff device—to navigate your pages and click on video content? Adults with disabilities are increasingly using the internet. The UK’s usage increased by 11.7% between 2014 and 2018 to reach over 9.5 million.
Evidence suggests that 98% of people aged 16 to 24 have recently accessed the internet.
However, according to Marketing Week, over six million online customers experience accessibility issues. 71% of consumers with disabilities report leaving a website because it was too challenging to use. If a website was easier to use, 82% of users stated they would be more likely to make a purchase.
When you create accessible internet content, everyone can receive your message, allowing us all to participate and receive the same information. It improves society by enabling more people to take part actively and contribute their thoughts and points of view.
Websites and online material that are accessible are more likely to draw in a larger pool of potential users, which can result in more people visiting your website, subscribing to your services, and more.
Removing obstacles: suggestions for being more approachable
Put accessibility at the centre of your company strategy, including how you build your online presence, as the first step you need to take. Every successful website starts by considering how to make the user experience better. If your website isn’t already WCAG 2.1 compliant, there are a few relatively easy steps you should do right away. Some improvements you can make to your website to ensure it functions with a device that uses assistive technology, such as a screen reader, are quick and easy to implement, but can also make a big difference.
1. Making use of alt-tags for photos
Code fragments called “alt-tags” are used to describe images. This is crucial if you use a screen reader due to a visual impairment because the reader will utilise the description before viewing the image. When organising your alt-tags, be sure to provide a thorough description. This can also help enhance your SEO, which is a bonus!
2. Enhancing tables
Tables are one thing that screen readers find challenging. If you don’t use techniques like caption tags when you have them on your site, the translated version may be unclear to users. It is crucial to examine online resources like this one to ensure that they function for everyone.
3. Basic fonts
It’s also crucial to consider something as basic as your font selection. Using local adjustments, like larger, bolder font sizes, can make text easier to read. However, it’s not just those with visual impairments who struggle, those with learning difficulties may find flowery typefaces challenging to read. You can significantly improve the readability of a body of text by dividing it into smaller paragraphs and shorter, more straightforward sentences.
4. Maintain primary navigation.
Maintaining consistent and clear navigation across all pages is crucial, not just for accessibility. If you alter things like icon designs or have drop-down menus on certain pages but not others, it can be challenging for accessibility programs to function.
Our experiences
As a baseline for our websites, we always ensure the website is built this these in mind to ensure the website is accessible for users and even offer more advanced functionality for font sizes, colour contrasts and more depending on the client’s specifications for the user’s needs.
Ready to make your website more accessible? Contact us today to schedule a meeting and we can discuss how we can help.
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