Website Accessibility: Best Practices to Improve UX & SEO

Introduction

Ensuring website accessibility is no longer an option—it’s a necessity. An ADA-compliant website improves usability for all users, boosts SEO rankings, and helps businesses avoid legal risks. Many websites fail to meet WCAG guidelines, leading to poor website usability and lost potential customers. At Ramikar, we specialize in inclusive web design, helping businesses create accessible websites that improve user experience while enhancing their search engine performance. This guide covers the best practices for improving website accessibility to make your site ADA-compliant and search-friendly.

Why Website Accessibility Matters for UX & SEO

A well-structured ADA-compliant website benefits both users and businesses in multiple ways:

1. Enhanced User Experience (UX)

• Inclusive web design ensures all users, including those with disabilities, can navigate your website easily.
• Improves website usability, reducing bounce rates and increasing engagement.

2. Higher SEO Rankings

• Google prioritizes accessible websites with optimized alt text, clear structure, and fast-loading pages.
• Better accessibility means improved website usability, leading to increased organic traffic.

3. Legal Compliance & Business Growth

• Many countries enforce WCAG guidelines, making accessibility mandatory for businesses.
• Non-compliance can lead to lawsuits, damaging brand reputation and financial stability.

The Financial Impact of Website Accessibility: Monetizing Inclusion and Compliance

Investing in website accessibility is not just about compliance—it’s a business decision that drives revenue. Below are key financial statistics demonstrating the profitability of ADA-compliant websites:

Metric	Statistic
Annual spending power of people with disabilities in the UK (Purple Pound)	£274 billion
Increase in total number of digital accessibility lawsuits in the US (2023)	20%
Average settlement amount for accessibility lawsuits in the US	$30,000
Percentage of organizations considering digital accessibility a competitive advantage	85%
Percentage of disabled consumers loyal to brands offering accessible options	76%

By making ADA-compliant websites, companies can tap into a growing market, enhance brand loyalty, and protect themselves from costly lawsuits. Investing in inclusive web design ensures profitability and long-term success.

Success Story: Vancouver International Children’s Festival Enhances Engagement Through Website Accessibility

The Vancouver International Children’s Festival (VICF), a renowned Canadian event, recognized the need to modernize its online presence to better serve individuals with disabilities.

The Challenge

• Outdated Design: The site was not mobile-friendly and lacked modern aesthetics.
• Accessibility Barriers: Users with disabilities faced navigation issues, indicating non-compliance with WCAG guidelines.
• Limited Usability: Complex navigation and poor content structure reduced engagement.

The Solution

VICF partnered with Out-Smarts to:

• Implement inclusive web design to ensure a mobile-friendly experience.
• Align with WCAG guidelines by adding alt text, color contrast, and keyboard navigation.
• Improve website usability with simplified navigation and clear content structure.

The Results

• Increased Engagement: A broader audience could access event information seamlessly.
• Positive Feedback: Visitors praised the improved accessibility.
• Stronger Community Presence: VICF reinforced its commitment to inclusivity.

Common Mistakes in Website Design That Hurt Accessibility

Ignoring website accessibility creates barriers that reduce usability. Here are key mistakes to avoid:

• Missing alt text, making visuals inaccessible to screen readers.
• Low color contrast, reducing readability for visually impaired users.
• Non-keyboard-friendly navigation, limiting access for those who cannot use a mouse.
• Lack of video captions, excluding hearing-impaired users.
• Complex layouts, making websites hard to navigate.

Fixing these improves website usability, ensuring an inclusive experience.

Best Practices for Website Accessibility

• Use Descriptive Alt Text – Helps screen readers and enhances SEO.
• Ensure High Color Contrast – Improves readability, following WCAG guidelines.
• Enable Keyboard Navigation – Essential for full website usability.
• Provide Captions & Transcripts – Makes multimedia content accessible.
• Structure Content with Headings – Enhances readability and SEO.
• Optimize Forms – Clear labels and error messages improve accessibility.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Your Website Accessible

Step 1 – Conduct an Accessibility Audit

• Use tools like Google Lighthouse and WAVE to check compliance with WCAG guidelines.

Step 2 – Optimize Images & Multimedia

• Add alt text for images and closed captions for videos to improve website usability.

Step 3 – Improve Website Navigation

• Ensure menus, forms, and interactive elements are fully keyboard-accessible.

Step 4 – Test & Maintain Accessibility

• Perform routine checks and gather feedback from disabled users to refine inclusive web design.

Ready to Make Your Website ADA-Compliant? Take Action Today!

A fully ADA-compliant website enhances website usability, boosts SEO rankings, and protects businesses from legal risks. At Ramikar, we specialize in inclusive web design to help businesses meet WCAG guidelines while optimizing SEO. Our services include:

• Website Accessibility Audits – Identify and fix accessibility barriers.
• ADA & WCAG Compliance Consulting – Ensure full legal compliance.
• UX/UI Enhancements – Improve usability for all visitors.
• SEO Optimization – Increase rankings while making your site more accessible.

Book a FREE accessibility consultation with our specialists today! Have questions? Email us at [your email] for expert guidance on accessibility solutions! By implementing these best practices for website accessibility, your business can improve engagement, enhance SEO performance, and create an inclusive user experience.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Website Accessibility

1. What is website accessibility, and why is it important?

Website accessibility ensures users, including those with disabilities, can navigate content, improving website usability, SEO, and legal compliance.

2. How does website accessibility impact SEO rankings?

ADA-compliant websites improve user experience, reducing bounce rates and increasing engagement, leading to better rankings in search results.

3. What are common mistakes in website design that affect accessibility?

Common mistakes in website design include missing alt text, poor contrast, and non-keyboard-friendly navigation, all of which hurt website usability.

4. How can I make my website more accessible?

Follow WCAG guidelines by improving color contrast, enabling keyboard navigation, and adding alt text for an inclusive web design.

5. How can Ramikar help optimize website accessibility?

Ramikar provides ADA-compliant website solutions, including audits, UX/UI improvements, and compliance consulting to improve website usability and SEO.