An accessible website helps people with different abilities use your content, contact your business, and complete tasks. Accessibility also improves clarity and usability for many visitors, including people on mobile devices or in distracting environments. This practical website accessibility checklist highlights common improvements small business owners can review, while complex needs may require a professional audit.
Check keyboard access and focus
Some visitors navigate without a mouse. Move through the site with Tab, Shift+Tab, Enter, and arrow keys. Focus should appear clearly, follow a logical order, and never become trapped in a menu or dialog. Interactive controls should work from a keyboard and remain visible as you move.
- Test navigation, forms, buttons, and popups using only a keyboard.
- Make focus outlines easy to see.
- Provide a skip link to the main content when appropriate.
Use readable contrast and text
Text should be large enough to read and stand out from its background. Avoid placing text over busy imagery without a strong overlay. Do not use color alone to communicate error states, status, or meaning. Give users room to zoom without cutting off essential content.
- Check text and button contrast.
- Use descriptive link text rather than repeated “click here.”
- Keep paragraphs short and headings informative.
Structure content and images clearly
Semantic headings help people scan pages and use assistive technology. Use headings in a logical hierarchy, label lists and tables, and add concise alternative text to informative images. Decorative images can be ignored by assistive technology; avoid stuffing alt text with keywords.
- Use one clear page title and nested section headings.
- Write alt text that describes an image’s purpose.
- Provide captions or transcripts for meaningful audio and video.
Make forms understandable
Forms should identify every field, required information, and expected format. When an error occurs, explain the issue in text and point to the field that needs attention. Do not rely only on placeholder text, which disappears while someone types. Ensure confirmation and error messages can be found by assistive technology.
- Pair every input with a visible label.
- Describe required fields and accepted formats.
- Offer clear instructions and error recovery.
Review mobile behavior and third-party tools
Check pages at narrow widths and enlarged text settings. Menus, cookie notices, chat widgets, maps, and embedded forms can introduce barriers even when the main page is clear. Review updates after theme or plugin changes because accessibility can regress when components are replaced.
- Test common pages on phones and tablets.
- Audit booking, payment, and contact tools.
- Recheck critical flows after site updates.
Take the next step
Start with the pages customers rely on most: homepage, service pages, contact form, booking flow, and checkout. Fix barriers you can identify, then consider an accessibility specialist for a deeper assessment. Accessibility is an ongoing quality practice, and customer feedback can help reveal problems automated scanners miss.
