The Top 10 Website Accessibility Rules

In today’s digital age, your website is often the first point of contact between your business and potential customers. But if your site isn’t accessible, you may be unintentionally excluding people with disabilities — and missing out on a wider audience.

Website accessibility ensures that all users, including those with visual, auditory, motor, or cognitive impairments, can use and navigate your site effectively. Beyond being a moral and legal obligation, it’s also smart business practice.

Here are the top 10 website accessibility rules you should follow to make your site inclusive, compliant, and user-friendly for everyone.

1. Provide Text Alternatives for Non-Text Content (Alt Text)

Images, icons, and buttons should always have descriptive alt text. Screen readers rely on this text to describe visual content to users who are blind or have low vision.

Good example:✅ “Woman using laptop in an office setting”

Bad example:❌ “IMG_00123.jpg”

💡 Tip: Avoid keyword stuffing in your alt text — focus on clear, concise descriptions that convey the purpose of the image.

2. Ensure Proper Color Contrast

Users with low vision or color blindness must be able to read your content easily. The WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) require a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text.

Use online tools like Contrast Checker or WAVE to test your website colors.

💡 Tip: Avoid using color alone to convey meaning (e.g., red for “error” or green for “success”) — add icons or text labels too.

3. Use Clear, Descriptive Headings and Labels

Properly structured headings (H1, H2, H3) help screen readers and users navigate your content easily.Each page should have one H1 heading, followed by logical subheadings.

Example:

• H1: Top 10 Website Accessibility Rules

• H2: Provide Text Alternatives

• H3: Why Alt Text Matters

💡 Tip: Think of headings as an outline — if someone skimmed only your headings, they should understand your page’s content.

4. Make All Functionality Accessible via Keyboard

Some users cannot use a mouse and rely solely on the keyboard for navigation.Your site should allow users to:

• Move through links and buttons using the Tab key

• Activate items with Enter or Space

• Access dropdowns and forms without a mouse

💡 Test it yourself: Try using your website with only the keyboard. If you get stuck anywhere, that element needs attention.

5. Provide Captions and Transcripts for Multimedia

Videos, webinars, or podcasts should include captions (for hearing-impaired users) and transcripts (for screen readers).

Platforms like YouTube offer auto-captioning, but it’s best to review and correct captions for accuracy.

💡 Tip: For accessibility and SEO, embed transcripts on your video pages — Google indexes this text, improving visibility.

6. Use Accessible Forms

Forms are a key part of user interaction — whether it’s contact, signup, or payment forms.Each field should have:

• A visible label (not placeholder-only)

• Error messages that are clear and specific

• Keyboard focus visible at all times

💡 Example: Instead of “Error,” say “Please enter a valid email address.”

7. Avoid Automatic Media and Pop-Ups

Auto-playing videos, sounds, or intrusive pop-ups can overwhelm or disorient users with cognitive or sensory sensitivities.

Always allow users to pause, stop, or mute content, and ensure pop-ups can be closed easily using the keyboard.

💡 Tip: If you use motion or animation, provide a “reduce motion” option for users with vestibular disorders.

8. Use ARIA Landmarks for Better Screen Reader Navigation

ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) attributes help assistive technologies understand the purpose of dynamic elements on your page (like navigation, menus, or modals).

Examples:

• role="navigation" for menus

• role="main" for primary content

• aria-label="Close popup" for buttons

💡 Note: Use ARIA only when native HTML elements can’t achieve the same result — too much ARIA can create confusion.

9. Ensure Responsive and Scalable Design

Accessibility also means your site should work well on all devices and screen sizes — from desktops to mobile phones.

Use responsive layouts, flexible text sizing, and scalable elements.Avoid locking text sizes with pixels; instead, use relative units (like em or rem) so users can adjust them as needed.

💡 Tip: Check zoom functionality — users should be able to zoom up to 200% without losing content or functionality.

10. Test and Audit Your Website Regularly

Even well-designed websites can develop accessibility issues over time.Schedule regular accessibility audits to ensure your content, plugins, and updates stay compliant with WCAG standards.

Tools to use:

• WAVE (Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool)

• axe DevTools

• Lighthouse (built into Chrome DevTools)

💡 Pro Tip: Combine automated testing with manual audits for the most accurate results — real users with disabilities can spot issues machines can’t.

Why Website Accessibility Matters for Your Business

Following accessibility best practices isn’t just about compliance — it’s about inclusivity and growth.

• Legal protection: Many countries (including Australia) have accessibility laws under frameworks like the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA).

• SEO benefits: Accessible sites tend to rank higher because they’re easier for search engines to crawl.

• Better UX: Clear, structured, and easy-to-navigate websites improve the experience for everyone — not just people with disabilities.

Final Thoughts

Building an accessible website isn’t a one-time task — it’s an ongoing commitment to inclusivity, usability, and professionalism.

At TechDefined, we help businesses ensure their websites meet WCAG standards, offering Accessibility Audits, Audit Reports, and Implementation Services to make compliance simple and effective.

Ready to Make Your Website Accessible to All?

Let’s ensure your digital presence is inclusive, compliant, and future-ready.👉 Book a Website Accessibility Audit with TechDefined