Accessibility can sound technical, but most of it comes down to common sense: text people can read, buttons people can use and pages that make sense to everyone. Getting the basics right helps every visitor, not just some.
Readable text
Body text should be large enough to read comfortably on a phone, with enough space between lines. Avoid long blocks of text in all caps or tiny, thin fonts. Short paragraphs and clear headings make pages easier to scan.
Strong contrast
Light gray text on a white background might look sleek, but many people struggle to read it. Make sure text stands out clearly from its background, including text on buttons and over photos.
Describe your images
People who use screen readers hear a description of each image instead of seeing it. Give important images a short, plain description of what they show. Purely decorative images can be marked so screen readers skip them.
Make everything work with a keyboard
Some visitors navigate with a keyboard instead of a mouse. They should be able to reach every link, button and form field using the Tab key, and see clearly which one is selected.
- Every menu opens with a keyboard
- Every button and link can be reached with Tab
- A visible outline shows what is selected
- Pop ups can be closed without a mouse
Clear links and buttons
Link text like "click here" gives no clue where it goes, especially to someone using a screen reader. Use text that describes the destination, like "see our services" or "request a quote."
Accessible forms
Every form field needs a visible label, not just placeholder text that disappears when you start typing. Error messages should explain what went wrong and how to fix it, in plain words.
Where to start
Try using your website with only your keyboard, then zoom your browser to twice its normal size. If anything breaks or becomes hard to use, that is your starting point. Our website design page explains how accessibility is built into every project.
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Start a projectQuick questions
Is accessibility only for people with disabilities?
No. Accessible sites are easier for everyone, including people on phones in bright sunlight, older visitors and anyone in a hurry.
Can I make my existing site more accessible?
Often, yes. Many basics, like contrast, image descriptions and clear link text, can be fixed without a rebuild.
Is there a standard for website accessibility?
Yes. The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, often called WCAG, are the widely used standard. Covering the basics in this guide is a good start.