An accessible website is easier for more people to use, including customers who browse with a keyboard, screen reader, captions, magnification or voice input. Accessibility is not only a compliance concern: confusing forms, low-contrast text and unlabeled buttons can prevent any customer from finding information or completing a purchase.
Start with the customer journey
Choose a few important tasks—finding opening hours, comparing services, booking an appointment or submitting an enquiry—and try them on a phone and computer. Can you complete each task using only a keyboard? Is it clear which field needs attention when a form reports an error? Can you zoom text without losing content or controls? Ask a person with relevant accessibility needs to test real tasks when possible; automated scans cannot replace user feedback.
Make content easier to perceive
Use sufficient contrast between text and background, and do not use color alone to communicate status. Add concise alternative text to informative images; mark decorative images so assistive technology can skip them. Give videos captions and provide a transcript for important audio. Use headings in a logical order so readers can scan and screen-reader users can navigate by section.
Make controls understandable
Use descriptive link and button labels rather than “click here.” Pair every form field with a visible label, explain required formats, and show errors in text near the relevant field. Make keyboard focus visible and ensure menus, dialogs and cookie notices can be opened, understood and closed without a mouse. Controls should have enough space to tap comfortably on a small screen.
Choose a manageable testing routine
Run an accessibility checker on key pages to catch common issues such as missing labels or low contrast, then manually test with keyboard navigation and browser zoom. Check the home page, service or product pages, contact forms, checkout and any embedded booking tool. Re-test after redesigns or when adding a new widget, because third-party content can introduce barriers too.
For a small team, assign an owner and keep a short issue list with page, problem, impact and next step. Fix barriers that block core tasks first. When selecting a web agency or platform, ask how it supports semantic headings, keyboard focus, captions, alt text and accessible form errors. Request evidence in the delivered site rather than relying on a vague “accessible” label.
Set expectations clearly
Accessibility requirements differ by country, organization type and service. This checklist is a practical starting point, not legal advice or a certification. If your business is subject to specific rules, consult the applicable standard and qualified adviser, and document your review and remediation process.
Bottom line: focus on the tasks customers need to complete, test with real assistive methods, and make accessibility part of routine website maintenance. Small, consistent improvements can widen access while reducing everyday usability friction for everyone.
