A Practical Guide to Website Accessibility for Small Businesses

Accessibility is part of good service. Clear structure, readable text, descriptive links, and usable forms help people with disabilities and make the website easier for everyone. Small businesses can make meaningful progress without waiting for a complete redesign.

Use readable contrast and type

Choose text and background colours with enough contrast, keep body text comfortably sized, and avoid placing essential copy over busy images. Brand colour can remain distinctive while supporting readable interfaces.

Give every image a purpose

Write alternative text that explains useful information in an image. Treat decorative images differently, and do not make a graphic the only place where an important instruction appears.

Make the structure understandable

Use headings in a logical order, descriptive link labels, visible focus states, and consistent navigation. A clear page outline helps screen-reader users and people scanning quickly.

Test the form without a mouse

Move through navigation and forms using only a keyboard. Check labels, error messages, focus order, and whether a visitor can understand what to correct. Good form feedback prevents avoidable abandonment.