Website Accessibility - Why Inclusive Design is Good for Business (and SEO)
More Than Just Compliance
When people hear “website accessibility,” they often think of legal checklists or complicated technical jargon. But here’s the truth: accessibility isn’t just about ticking boxes — it’s about making sure everyone can use your website.
And here’s the kicker: what’s good for accessibility is also good for SEO, conversions, and your brand reputation. In other words, it’s not just the right thing to do — it’s the smart thing to do.
What Do We Mean by Website Accessibility?
Website accessibility means designing and building your site so people with different abilities can use it. That includes:
- Visual impairments (screen readers, colour blindness, low vision)
- Hearing impairments (captions and transcripts for videos)
- Motor difficulties (keyboard navigation, larger clickable areas)
- Cognitive differences (clear structure, easy-to-understand content)
Think of it like this: if your physical shop had steps but no ramp, you’d be shutting the door on a chunk of your customers. Your website is no different.
Why Accessibility Matters (Beyond Being the Right Thing)
- Legal obligations: In the UK, the Equality Act 2010 requires reasonable adjustments — and websites fall under that.
- Wider audience: Around 1 in 5 people in the UK have a disability. Why would you want to make life harder for 20% of your potential customers?
- SEO benefits: Search engines love accessible practices like descriptive alt text, proper headings, and clean navigation.
- Brand perception: An inclusive website signals you care. And people tend to do business with brands that care.
Common Accessibility Pitfalls We See in Audits
- Missing Alt Text – screen readers can’t describe what’s in your images, so users miss out.
- Poor Colour Contrast – pale grey text on a white background might look trendy, but it’s unreadable for many (and frustrating for all).
- Heading Chaos – skipping H1s or scattering various sized Hs everywhere confuses screen readers and Google.
- Tiny Buttons & Links – if your visitors need the precision of a brain surgeon to tap your call-to-action on mobile, that’s a problem.
- No Keyboard Navigation – some users can’t use a mouse. If your site isn’t tab-friendly, you’re locking them out.
(Confession time: if you’ve ever struggled to click a fiddly link on your phone, you’ve had a taste of poor accessibility yourself.)
How to Check Your Website’s Accessibility
The good news is you don’t need to be a developer to spot issues. Try these:
- Free tools: WAVE or Lighthouse.
- DIY checks:
- Use only your keyboard to navigate your site (Tab, Enter, Shift+Tab).
- Switch your screen to grayscale to test contrast.
- Try filling in your forms without using a mouse.
Quick Wins for WordPress Users
Accessibility can feel overwhelming, but small steps go a long way:
- Always add alt text for images (Yoast will nudge you if you forget).
- Choose high-contrast colour palettes that are readable in all lighting.
- Stick to proper heading structure (one H1, logical H2s and H3s beneath).
- Install plugins like “Accessibility Checker” or “WP Accessibility” to catch easy fixes.
- Make sure buttons and form fields are clearly labelled and big enough to tap.
Accessibility is Good Business (and Good SEO)
Here’s the thing: accessibility isn’t a “nice to have.” It boosts business outcomes:
- Accessible sites tend to load faster.
- Clean headings, descriptive alt text, and structured content = better SEO.
- Happier visitors stick around longer, which means more conversions.
Think of accessibility as rolling out a welcome mat — not just for customers, but for search engines too.
Help With Website Accessibility
Accessibility isn’t about perfection; it’s about progress. Every small step — from adding proper alt text to fixing your colour contrast — makes a huge difference to someone. And in the process, you’ll make your site more user-friendly for everyone.
Not sure how accessible your website really is? At The Last Hurdle , we can run an accessibility health check, highlight what’s holding you back, and show you practical fixes that make your site friendlier for everyone. Call us on 01604 654545 or email hello@thelasthurdle.co.uk
Let’s make your website a place where no visitor feels left out.
