Inclusivity is no longer just a buzzword—it’s a crucial part of building a website that works for everyone. From users with disabilities to those in underserved communities, website inclusivity ensures that your site is welcoming, accessible, and functional for every visitor, no matter their abilities or circumstances. Plus, an inclusive website isn’t just the right thing to do; it can also help you reach a larger audience, improve SEO, and protect your business from legal risks.
In this article, we’ll cover the best practices for creating an inclusive website and the tools you can use to help you get there. Whether you’re starting from scratch or looking to improve an existing site, these tips will help you create a digital space that everyone can enjoy.
Why Website Inclusivity Matters
Creating an inclusive website means designing with everyone in mind. This includes users with disabilities, those with limited access to technology, or people in different regions of the world who may have slower internet speeds or older devices. When your website is inclusive, it becomes easier to use for a wide range of people, helping you reach a broader audience.
Inclusivity also plays a significant role in SEO. Search engines favor websites that are user-friendly and accessible. When your site is easy to navigate and optimized for everyone, you’ll likely see improvements in search rankings, user engagement, and overall performance.
Finally, there’s the legal aspect to consider. In many countries, businesses are required to make their websites accessible under laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Failing to meet these standards can result in lawsuits and fines, making it essential to build inclusivity into your website from the start.
Best Practices for Boosting Website Inclusivity
Achieving website inclusivity may seem like a tall order, but by following a few best practices, you can make your site more welcoming to all users. Here are some key areas to focus on.
1. Design for Accessibility
Accessibility should be a top priority when aiming for an inclusive website. Make sure your site is easy to use for people with disabilities, including those who rely on screen readers, keyboard navigation, or alternative input devices. Follow WCAG guidelines to ensure your website meets basic accessibility standards, including:
- Providing alt text for images so screen readers can describe them.
- Ensuring proper color contrast between text and background for readability.
- Making sure all interactive elements are accessible via keyboard.
2. Simplify Navigation
An inclusive website should be easy to navigate for all users. Keep your menus simple and logical, and make sure that navigation elements, like buttons and links, are large enough to be easily clicked. Consider including a skip-to-content link for users relying on keyboard navigation, allowing them to jump straight to the main content without getting stuck in menus.
Clear and intuitive navigation improves the experience for everyone, including users with disabilities, older individuals, and those using mobile devices or with slow internet connections.
3. Provide Text Alternatives
For any non-text elements like images, audio, or video, always provide a text alternative. Alt text for images is crucial for users who rely on screen readers, while captions and transcripts make audio and video content accessible to people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
These alternatives also have the added benefit of improving your SEO. Search engines use alt text and transcripts to understand the content of images and media, so providing clear descriptions can boost your rankings.
4. Optimize for Mobile
A significant portion of web traffic now comes from mobile devices, so ensuring your site is mobile-friendly is essential for inclusivity. Make sure your website is responsive, meaning it adjusts to different screen sizes and devices, and that buttons and links are large enough to be tapped easily.
A mobile-optimized website improves accessibility for users who rely on touchscreens or have limited dexterity, and it ensures a better experience for users on the go.
5. Consider Language and Localization
Inclusivity goes beyond accessibility—language and cultural differences also play a role. If you have a global audience, consider offering multiple language options on your site. Make sure your content is written clearly and avoid jargon that might confuse non-native speakers. Also, consider cultural nuances that may impact how users interact with your site.
6. Use Website Accessibility Checkers
Website Accessibility Checkers are essential tools that automatically evaluate your website’s accessibility, identifying potential barriers for users with disabilities. These tools analyze key aspects of your site, such as keyboard navigation, alt text for images, and color contrast, and generate reports on issues that need fixing.
Some popular accessibility checkers include:
- WAVE: A free tool that highlights accessibility issues and provides visual feedback on what needs improvement.
- Google Lighthouse: Offers an in-browser audit that evaluates your website’s performance, SEO, and accessibility, giving you actionable steps to improve your site.
- axe: A powerful tool used by developers to catch and resolve accessibility issues during development.
This level of inclusivity can make your site more welcoming to international visitors, improving your global reach and enhancing the user experience for diverse audiences.
Step-by-Step Guide to Boosting Website Inclusivity
Ready to get started? Here’s a simple guide to help you make your website more inclusive:
- Audit Your Site’s Accessibility: Start by running an audit using tools like WAVE or Google Lighthouse. These tools will highlight areas where your website falls short, such as missing alt text or poor keyboard navigation.
- Fix Accessibility Issues: Prioritize fixing the most critical issues first—like adding alt text, improving color contrast, and ensuring that forms and buttons are keyboard-friendly.
- Install an Accessibility Plugin: Use a plugin like UserWay or AccessiBe to add immediate accessibility features like text resizing, color contrast adjustments, and screen readers.
- Test Mobile Responsiveness: Check that your site works well on mobile devices. Ensure that all content is easily accessible and that interactive elements are large enough to tap.
- Add Language Options: If your audience is global, consider offering multilingual support with plugins like Weglot. This will make your site more inclusive to non-native speakers.
- Get Feedback: Finally, ask real users—especially those with disabilities—to test your site. Their feedback can provide valuable insights that automated tools might miss, helping you fine-tune your site for maximum inclusivity.
Conclusion
Boosting website inclusivity isn’t just about meeting legal requirements—it’s about creating a welcoming, user-friendly experience for everyone. By following best practices like optimizing for accessibility, simplifying navigation, and providing text alternatives, you’ll make your website more inclusive for all users, regardless of their abilities or backgrounds.
With the help of tools like WAVE, Google Lighthouse, and UserWay, you can quickly identify and fix any gaps in your website’s inclusivity. Remember, creating an inclusive site benefits everyone—not just users with disabilities—so it’s worth investing the time and resources to get it right.
