Have you ever wondered how many people leave your website because they cannot use it? The UK Click-Away Pound survey found that 69% of disabled users leave websites that are not accessible. For small and mid-sized businesses, that represents lost trust, lost engagement, and lost revenue.
The good news: digital accessibility is easier than you might think. This guide gives you clear steps to help you make your website and documents usable for everyone.
See How People Use Your Website
A website may feel easy to use for you, but not for everyone. Many visitors rely on tools like:
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Screen readers
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Keyboard-only navigation
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Voice commands
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Assistive software
Watching how real users with disabilities move through your site can reveal issues you may never notice on your own. Invite feedback from people who use these tools. Pay attention to where they pause, where they struggle, and what they cannot access. Often, small improvements can remove big barriers.
Make Your Visual Content Easier to See
Visual accessibility is one of the most common problem areas. Millions of people have some level of vision impairment, and many rely on contrast or magnification tools.
To improve visual clarity:
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Ensure text stands out from the background
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Use a minimum contrast ratio of 4.5:1
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Test your colors with free tools like WebAIM’s Contrast Checker
These small changes help all users—not just those with low vision.
Create Documents Everyone Can Use
Many businesses share important content as PDFs, Word files, or slides. But these files are often inaccessible by default.
To fix this:
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Use tagged PDFs
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Add clear headings and reading order
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Include alt text for images
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Run an accessibility check before you upload or share
These steps make sure screen readers can interpret your content accurately.
Make Reading Easy and Reduce Cognitive Load
Everyone benefits from clear, simple content—especially people with learning differences or cognitive disabilities.
Use these writing tips:
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Keep sentences short
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Avoid jargon when plain language works
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Break text into small sections
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Use descriptive headings
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Choose readable fonts like Arial or Verdana
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Use at least 14-point font for body text
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Avoid long stretches of ALL CAPS or italics
The easier the content is to read, the more people will stay and engage.
Support Users With Hearing or Mobility Needs
Accessibility is more than visual design. Many people have hearing or physical disabilities that affect how they use technology.
For hearing accessibility:
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Add captions to all videos
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Provide transcripts for audio content
Many visitors watch videos on mute, so captions help everyone—not just deaf or hard-of-hearing users.
For mobility accessibility:
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Ensure your entire site can be used with a keyboard only
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Make sure all links and buttons can be accessed with the Tab key
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Avoid features requiring exact mouse movements
If users cannot reach a button or form field without a mouse, they cannot use your site.
Use Data and Feedback to Keep Improving
Accessibility is not a one-time task. It is ongoing. Each time you update your site or publish new content, test it again.
You can also:
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Add an accessibility statement
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Invite feedback from visitors
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Watch analytics for signs of drop-offs
If users are leaving a page or form at the same point each time, it may be due to an accessibility barrier.
Make Accessibility Part of Your Brand
For many SMBs, accessibility feels like “one more thing to do.” But it is a meaningful investment in your brand, your customers, and your reputation.
Accessible websites:
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Reach more people
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Build trust
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Show professionalism
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Reduce legal risk under ADA guidelines
Accessibility and great design can work together. You can have a modern, attractive website that is also inclusive and compliant.
Ready to Make Your Website More Accessible?
Accessibility is not just about rules—it is about people. It ensures every visitor can read your content, fill out your forms, and download your documents. This is good service, and good business.
Each small improvement—checking color contrast, adding alt text, naming headings in a PDF, or testing keyboard navigation—moves you closer to an inclusive and user-friendly site.
If you want expert help making your site accessible, we’re here for you.
Contact us today to build a modern, accessible website that supports every visitor.
Featured Image Credit
This article has been republished with permission from The Technology Press.
