An estimated 1.3 billion people globally live with some form of disability, around 16% of the world’s population. Now you might be thinking, why does this matter to me? If you’re a business owner, it means an awful lot.

Website accessibility is an extremely important necessity. Your site should be designed and built in a way that makes it usable and accessible to everyone, regardless of any potential impairments and disabilities.

Providing a service that considers and accommodates every user will not only reflect your brand’s reputation but also maximise your reachable audience.

What Is Website Accessibility?

Website accessibility means that websites, tools and technologies are designed and developed so that everyone, including people with disabilities, can understand, navigate and interact with the site effectively.

This includes users with:

• Visual impairments – such as blindness, low vision or colour blindness
• Hearing impairments – such as partial or total hearing loss
• Mobility or motor disabilities – affecting use of a mouse or touchscreen
• Cognitive or neurological disabilities – affecting memory, learning or focus

However, accessibility benefits go far beyond disability. Clearer content, better structure and mobile-friendly design make websites easier to use for everyone, including older adults and people browsing on mobile devices in bright sunlight.

Why does website accessibility matter?

Making sure that everyone can access our information is the right thing to do. An accessible website makes life easier for many people, and you should be involved with that.

When your website is accessible, you’re contributing to a more inclusive digital world.

It’s a Legal Requirement

In the UK, website accessibility is not optional. The Equality Act 2010 requires businesses and public bodies to make “reasonable adjustments” to ensure their digital services are accessible to people with disabilities.

Public sector websites are also bound by the accessibility regulations, which require compliance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).

Failing to meet these standards can result in complaints, reputational damage and even legal action.

It’s good for business

By improving website accessibility, businesses can open their doors to a wider audience, improve customer satisfaction and build trust. On the flip side, inaccessible websites risk losing customers, and revenue, to more accessible competitors.

An accessible website is easier to index and ranks high in search results. This results in increased traffic and greater digital authority for your business. Improving accessibility often leads to better rankings, higher traffic and more conversions.

Each positive experience builds trusts, turning potential customers into loyal advocates.

The Four Principles of Accessibility (WCAG)

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are the international gold standard for web accessibility. They’re built around four key principles, known by the acronym POUR:

Perceivable: Information and interface components must be presented in ways users can perceive. For example: Use sufficient colour contrast and provide text alternatives for images.

Operable: Users must be able to navigate and interact with your site. For example: Ensure full keyboard navigation and avoid time limits users can’t control.

Understandable: Content and interfaces should be easy to understand. For example: Use plain English, predictable navigation and clear form labels.

Robust: Content must work reliably with assistive technologies. For example: Ensure compatibility with screen readers and modern browsers.

Meeting WCAG 2.1 Level AA is generally considered the benchmark for accessibility compliance in the UK and across Europe.

Some practical steps to improving website accessibility

You don’t have to rebuild your entire site overnight to make a difference. Many accessibility improvements can be achieved incrementally. Here’s a few good places to start:

Use alt text for images: Every meaningful image should have alternative (alt) text describing its content. This helps screen reader users understand visuals and helps with SEO efforts.

Avoid phrases like “image of” and simply describe what the image conveys. For example, you could swap “image of a laptop” with “designer editing a WordPress website on a laptop”

Check that keyboard navigation works: Users should be able to navigate your website using only the keyboard (via the Tab and Enter keys). Test this by trying to move through your site without a mouse. You should be able to reach menus, buttons, and forms easily.

Write in plain, simple language: Accessible websites use clear, concise language. Short sentences and everyday vocabulary make content easier for everyone, including users with cognitive disabilities and those reading in a second language.

Keeping accessible is an ongoing process

Accessibility isn’t a one-off task. Websites evolve with the business and organisation they represent. With new content, software and updates, the website’s accessibility must evolve with them. Conduct regular audits and user testing to ensure your site continues to meet standards.

You might start with small, achievable changes such as improving contrast or adding alt text and work up to a full accessibility review. Each improvement makes your website more inclusive and professional.

In conclusion…

An accessible website is one that truly serves all its users and potential customers. By following WCAG principles and integrating accessibility best practices into your website design and content, you can create a digital experience that’s open, usable and welcoming to everyone. Not to mention, accessibility can be a competitive advantage.

If you’re unsure how accessible your current website is, consider arranging a professional accessibility audit. As part of our WordPress services, we can help you identify barriers, make practical improvements and ensure your website meets accessibility standards so that everyone can enjoy what you have to offer.