Web accessibility isn't just about compliance. It's about making your website usable for everyone. The good news is that some of the highest-impact improvements are also the easiest to implement.
1. Fix Color Contrast
This is the single most common accessibility issue on business websites. WCAG 2.1 requires a minimum contrast ratio of 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text.
Common problems:
- Light gray text on white backgrounds
- Colored text on colored backgrounds without sufficient contrast
- Placeholder text that's nearly invisible
The fix: Run your site through a contrast checker and update any failing color combinations. This typically takes an hour and fixes 30-40% of accessibility issues.
2. Add Alt Text to Images
Every meaningful image needs descriptive alt text. Decorative images should have empty alt attributes (alt="").
Good alt text:
- Describes the content and function of the image
- Is concise (under 125 characters)
- Doesn't start with "image of" or "picture of"
The fix: Audit every image on your site. For most business websites, this is 20-50 images and takes a few hours.
3. Ensure Keyboard Navigation
Every interactive element (links, buttons, forms, menus) must be usable with a keyboard alone. This means:
- Visible focus indicators (the outline when you Tab through elements)
- Logical tab order that follows the visual layout
- No keyboard traps (places where Tab gets stuck)
The fix: Tab through your entire site. If you can't reach something or can't see where you are, fix the focus styles and tab order.
4. Label Your Form Fields
Every form input needs a programmatic label, not just placeholder text. Screen readers rely on <label> elements to announce what each field is for.
<!-- Bad: placeholder only -->
<input placeholder="Email address" />
<!-- Good: proper label -->
<label for="email">Email address</label>
<input id="email" type="email" />
The fix: Check every form on your site. If inputs only have placeholders, add proper labels. This is usually a 30-minute fix.
5. Use Semantic HTML
Using the right HTML elements communicates structure to assistive technology:
- Use
<nav>for navigation menus - Use
<main>for primary content - Use heading levels (
h1throughh6) in order, and don't skip levels - Use
<button>for actions,<a>for navigation
The fix: Review your page structure. If everything is <div> and <span>, refactor to use semantic elements. This improves both accessibility and SEO.
The Bigger Picture
These five fixes address the most common WCAG violations and can be implemented in a day or two. For a complete accessibility strategy that includes automated scanning, remediation, and ongoing accommodations, learn about our accessibility solutions.
Need a professional accessibility audit? Schedule a consultation and we'll identify exactly where your site stands.