In this blog, we’re breaking down why accessibility in your Orlando web design has always been important, but now more than ever.   

I think we can all agree on one thing – that this year has brought a lot of unprecedented changes into our personal and professional lives. “Stay-at-home” orders, working from home, virtual learning, FaceTime happy hours with friends and family, ordering basically everything online instead of going to the store, and more. What do all of these activities have in common? 

An increased reliance on the Internet – which isn’t a problem for a lot of tech-savvy people, but for certain populations, this can present its own set of challenges. And interestingly enough, the people who may have different needs when it comes to Internet use are also the people who need it most during this time. Our more “at risk” populations like senior citizens and those with underlying disabilities are a couple of examples to name a few. This is why it’s so important that we talk openly about accessibility in Orlando web design. 

What Is Web Accessibility?

Simply put, “web accessibility” means making sure that your website is easily accessible to everyone on the web. And there are certain elements of your Orlando web design that may need a second look to ensure it’s accessible.

• Font – Make sure your font is large enough to read and that the type of font you select is highly legible.
• Colors – A high level of contrast between text colors and background colors is ideal in the case that a color blind user is trying to engage with your site.
• Graphics/animations – Avoid content that could be distracting or visually overwhelming, and it’s also best practice to include captions on any videos.
• Content organization – The easier your website is to navigate, the more accessible it is. This includes consistency on the front end, so the user navigation is more predictable, and some hidden things on the backend – like adding title tags and using default HTML tags.

Is This A New Concept?

Definitely not. Web accessibility has been a topic of conversation in the world of web design since the 90s. It continues to become an increased focus for companies when building or updating their websites, especially in the current times, but also as we look ahead to the future. 

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So, What Do I Do Next?

We hoped you might ask that question. It’s important to take a look at your website in reference to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and consider making any necessary changes. One tool that we highly recommend to help in this process is accessiBe. Now, more than ever, it’s important to be inclusive towards all different needs that people have when browsing online, including those people with disabilities. 

We’ve recently partnered with accessiBe to bring accessibility to websites by adding their program to websites without coding needs. Not only does it actively scan the website for areas of improvement, but it also helps the website to be easily navigational all while being affordable for small businesses.

We may be halfway through the year already (isn’t that crazy?!), but we believe it’s never too late to make new goals to positively impact the future and success of your business. Check out this free downloadable as a guide, and we’ll even get you started with your first goal – make your Orlando web design more accessible to all users. 

After all, every user is a potential new customer! Want to learn more about other ways to grow your business and keep up with marketing best practices? Contact us today to schedule a free 30-minute consultation.