Website accessibility is about making sure everyone can use your site, including people with vision, hearing, motor or cognitive impairments. For Surrey businesses, it is also a commercial and legal consideration. An inaccessible site can exclude customers, damage your brand and leave you out of step with good practice. This guide covers the fundamentals.
Why accessibility matters
Around one in five people in the UK has some form of disability. If your site is hard to navigate with a keyboard, has low contrast text or relies on video without captions, you are turning people away. Accessibility also overlaps with SEO: clean code, clear headings and alt text help search engines as well as users. For a Coulsdon web designer, accessibility is part of building a quality site.
The basics of web accessibility
Start with semantic HTML. Use the correct heading order, label form fields, add alt text to images and ensure links make sense out of context. Make sure every interactive element can be reached with a keyboard. Provide captions and transcripts for audio and video. These basics resolve the majority of common issues without needing complex solutions.
Colour, contrast and fonts
Use colour contrast that passes WCAG AA standards for normal and large text. Do not rely on colour alone to convey meaning. Choose readable font sizes and allow users to resize text. Avoid fonts that are overly decorative at small sizes. A thoughtful visual identity can be both distinctive and accessible, as we demonstrate in our web design services Coulsdon work.
Testing and compliance
Test your site with keyboard navigation, screen reader simulation and accessibility checkers. Run colour contrast checks and review forms for clear error messages. While full WCAG 2.1 AA compliance may not be a legal requirement for every small business, the principles improve usability for all visitors and reduce the risk of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
Is accessibility a legal requirement?
Public sector bodies have clear accessibility duties. Private businesses are not all covered by the same law, but accessibility supports good customer service and may reduce legal risk.
What is alt text?
Alt text describes the content and purpose of an image for screen readers and search engines. It should be concise and relevant.
How do I test colour contrast?
Use online contrast checkers. Enter your foreground and background colours to see whether they meet WCAG AA standards for text of different sizes.
Does accessibility help SEO?
Yes. Many accessibility practices, such as clear headings, alt text and descriptive links, also improve how search engines understand your site.
