Accessibility Shouldn’t Be an Afterthought for Your Website
Let’s be real—having an accessible website isn’t just some “nice-to-have” feature anymore. It’s a must. We’re living in a world where everyone is online, and if your website isn’t designed to be used by everyone (including people with disabilities), you’re not only alienating potential customers, but you’re also setting yourself up for legal headaches. Yeah, that’s right—it’s the law.
So, why does accessibility matter so much? And how can making your site more inclusive actually boost your business? Let’s break it down.
What Does Website Accessibility Even Mean?
Accessibility means making sure your website is usable by everyone, including people with disabilities. It’s about creating an online experience that works for everyone, whether they’re using a screen reader, voice navigation, or just need a website that doesn’t make them squint.
We’re not talking about a complete overhaul here (unless you really need it). For most businesses, adding accessibility features is about following some simple, but important, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). Think of it as making your site more friendly to every type of visitor, regardless of how they access your content.
Why Should You Care About Accessibility?
1. Avoid Legal Issues
First things first—if your site isn’t accessible, you could be breaking the law. In Australia, the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) requires websites to be accessible to people with disabilities. Fail to comply, and you might be hit with fines or worse, dragged into a legal battle. Not exactly fun, right?
By making your site accessible, you’re not just ticking a legal box—you’re showing that you care about your customers.
2. It Makes Life Easier for Everyone
Here’s a fun fact: when you improve accessibility, you’re also improving the overall user experience. A site that’s well-organised, easy to navigate, and responsive isn’t just for people with disabilities—it’s for everyone. Whether someone’s browsing from their phone on the bus or using a screen reader at home, you’re giving them a better experience.
3. SEO Loves Accessibility
Guess what? Google ranks accessible websites higher. Yep, making your site more user-friendly also makes it more Google-friendly. By optimising for accessibility, you’re also ticking off a lot of the boxes that help with SEO. So, making your site better for people can also make it rank better—win-win.
How We Approach Accessibility (Without Making It Complicated)
When it comes to making a site accessible, we don’t mess around. We use a combo of automated tools and good old-fashioned manual testing to make sure your site works for everyone. Whether you’re building a new site or upgrading your existing one, here’s how we tackle accessibility:
1. Smart Testing Tools
We start with tools like WAVE and Axe to spot any technical issues. But we don’t stop there. Automated tools are cool, but they can only catch so much. That’s why we manually test your site too—using things like screen readers and voice navigation—to make sure everything works for real users.
2. Real-World Testing
Automated testing is great, but it’s not enough. We test your site manually to see how people with disabilities actually experience it. This helps us make sure your website isn’t just technically compliant, but actually usable. After all, what’s the point of meeting guidelines if the user experience is still a mess?
3. Accessibility Built Into the Design
If you’re starting from scratch, we can design your site with accessibility in mind from day one. That means we factor in things like colour contrast, font size, and mobile responsiveness from the start. Whether your visitors are on desktops or mobile, your site will work for everyone.
Balancing Design and Accessibility
Let’s be honest—sometimes there are trade-offs. You might not need or want your site to hit 100% accessibility compliance, and that’s okay. It’s all about finding the right balance between design and functionality. We work with you to make sure your site looks good while still being accessible to as many users as possible. It doesn’t have to be all or nothing.
Why Accessibility Adds Real Value
Sure, accessibility is the law, but it also brings real business benefits. From reaching a wider audience to improving your SEO, making your site more inclusive isn’t just about avoiding fines—it’s about growing your business. Plus, you’re making the internet a more welcoming place, and that’s something everyone can get behind.
Making your website accessible isn’t just about compliance—it’s about doing the right thing for your users and your business. Whether you need a small accessibility upgrade or a full redesign, we’ve got you covered. It’s time to make your site user-friendly for everyone and take your business to the next level.