How to Make Your Website More Accessible: A Simple Guide

As a small business owner, you want your website to make a great first impression. It should be beautiful, professional, and easy to use. But here’s the thing—if your site isn’t accessible, you might be turning away potential clients without even realizing it.

Website accessibility isn’t just a tech buzzword. It’s about making sure everyone—including people with disabilities—can use and benefit from your website. In this guide, we’ll break it down in plain language. You’ll learn what accessibility really means, why it matters for your business, and what simple steps you can take today to improve it.

Let’s get into it.

What Does Website Accessibility Mean?

Website accessibility means designing and developing your site so that people with a wide range of abilities can easily navigate and interact with it. This includes:

• People with visual impairments (e.g., blindness, low vision, or color blindness)

• People with hearing impairments

• People with mobility or physical limitations (e.g., needing to navigate with a keyboard instead of a mouse)

• People with cognitive or learning disabilities

Accessibility also supports people using assistive technologies like screen readers, screen magnifiers, and speech recognition tools.

In short: an accessible website works for everyone—not just those who experience it the same way you do.

Why Accessibility Matters for Your Business

For Natalie, a successful healthcare consultant juggling parenting, client meetings, and strategic growth, this boils down to three things: professionalism, reach, and protection.

1. Professionalism & Credibility

An accessible website shows that you care about your audience. It communicates attention to detail, inclusivity, and professionalism—values your clients notice.

2. Reach More People

Roughly 1 in 4 adults in the U.S. lives with a disability. That’s a huge group of potential clients. Making your website accessible expands your audience and ensures no one gets left behind.

3. Avoid Legal Risk

More lawsuits are being filed each year against businesses whose websites are not accessible. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) applies to digital spaces too. Even if you’re a small business, it’s better to be proactive.

How to Make Your Website More Accessible

Let’s walk through some simple, actionable ways to improve accessibility on your site. These don’t require you to be a developer—you just need to know what to look for and what to ask your designer or team (or us!) to implement.

1. Add Descriptive Alt Text to Images

Alt text is the written description of an image that screen readers read aloud to visually impaired users. If you’re uploading product shots, team photos, or service graphics, describe what’s shown in the image.

Example: Instead of: alt="team photo"

Use: alt="Natalie and her team of healthcare consultants in a meeting room"

Bonus: Alt text also improves your SEO.

2. Use Clear, Logical Headings

Headings (H1, H2, H3…) should follow a logical order. This helps screen readers—and your users—understand the structure of your content.

Tip: Never skip from an H1 to an H3. Think of it like outlining a paper.

H1: Page Title H2: Section Title H3: Sub-section or detail

Bonus: Search engines love well-structured headings.

3. Ensure Color Contrast Is Strong Enough

If your text and background don’t have enough contrast, people with visual impairments or color blindness might struggle to read it.

Use a contrast checker tool to make sure your text stands out. A general rule: dark text on a light background (or vice versa) is best.

Bad example: Light gray text on a white background.

Good example: Dark navy text on a white background.

4. Make Sure It’s Usable with a Keyboard

Some people navigate using only a keyboard—no mouse. Your site should allow users to move between sections, links, and buttons using the Tab key.

Ask your developer or test it yourself by tabbing through the homepage. If you can’t reach something—or you get lost—it’s time for a fix.

5. Label Form Fields Clearly

Your contact or consultation forms should include proper labels for every field.

Instead of this:

Just a box with no description

Do this:“Full Name: [_______]”

This helps users with screen readers know what they’re supposed to enter.

6. Use Descriptive Link Text

Avoid vague links like “Click here” or “Read more.” These aren’t helpful for people using screen readers because the tool will read the link out of context.

Better option:

“Learn more about our website audit services”

7. Add Captions and Transcripts to Videos

If you have videos on your site—client testimonials, welcome videos, or educational content—make sure they include captions.

Even better? Provide a written transcript below the video so users can read the content if they prefer.

8. Avoid Auto-Play Media

Auto-playing music or videos can be disorienting and inaccessible for many users. Always let your visitors choose whether they want to watch or listen to something.

9. Use Simple, Clear Language

Accessibility isn’t just about tech. It’s also about content.

Avoid jargon or overly complex language—especially on key pages like your homepage, services, and contact info. Natalie, you’re a smart professional—but so are your clients. Everyone appreciates clarity.

Accessibility Checklist (Quick Recap)

Here’s a simple checklist to help you evaluate your site today:

• Descriptive alt text on images

• Logical heading structure (H1 → H2 → H3)

• High contrast between text and background

• Site works with only a keyboard

• All forms are clearly labeled

• Links describe what they lead to

• Videos have captions or transcripts

• No auto-play media

• Clear, plain language used throughout

How The Wright UX Can Help

If all of this feels a little overwhelming, don’t worry—we’ve got you. At The Wright UX, we specialize in helping small business owners like you create professional, accessible websites that reflect your brand and make a real impact.

We don’t just design pretty websites—we design experiences that work for everyone.

👉 Contact us today for a consultation

or

👉 Sign up for a free website audit

We’ll review your site, identify accessibility issues, and walk you through simple, actionable steps—whether you’re ready to DIY or want our help.

Because making your website more accessible isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s smart business.

Need help now? Let’s make sure your site reflects the level of care and professionalism your business is known for. Let’s talk →