Site Tip · Speed, phones & usability

A site everyone can use

About one in four adults in the U.S. has a disability. That means some of your customers may have trouble seeing small text, tapping tiny buttons or using a screen reader. The good news is that the basics are simple, and they make your site better for everyone.

What accessibility means

Accessibility means designing your website so that people with a wide range of abilities can use it. That includes people with low vision, color blindness, hearing loss, limited hand movement or other needs.

It also helps anyone in a tough situation, like someone reading in bright sunlight or holding a phone in one hand.

Four basics you can check today

You do not need special software to spot the biggest problems. Look at your site with fresh eyes.

• Readable text: use a comfortable size, and avoid long blocks of tiny gray type.
• Strong contrast: text should stand out clearly from its background. Pale gray on white is hard for many people.
• Easy-to-tap buttons: make buttons and links big enough for a finger, with space between them.
• Alt text on images: short descriptions that a screen reader can read aloud.

What alt text is and how to write it

Alt text is a short written description attached to an image. A screen reader is a tool that reads web pages aloud for people who cannot see them. Without alt text, your photos are silent.

Write it the way you would describe the photo over the phone. "Plumber replacing a kitchen faucet" is far more useful than "IMG_2043" or "photo." If an image is purely decoration, your web person can mark it so screen readers skip it.

Alt text also helps search engines understand your pages, which is a nice bonus. Aim for one clear sentence, and skip phrases like "image of" because screen readers already announce that it is an image.

Where to go from here

Try a quick test. Zoom your browser in, look at your site on a phone outdoors, and try moving through your pages using only the Tab key on your keyboard. Notice anything you cannot reach or read, and write it down so you can hand your web person a clear list.

Accessibility also touches on legal rules. This is not legal advice, so check with a qualified professional about what applies to your business.

Modestius builds and fixes websites for small businesses, and clearer, easier sites are part of that work.

Questions owners ask

Is accessibility only for people with disabilities?

No. Larger text, clear contrast and big buttons help almost everyone, including older customers and people on small screens.

Does alt text help with Google?

It can help search engines understand your images and pages, though it should be written for people first.

Is my business required to have an accessible site?

That depends on your situation and the law. This is not legal advice, so ask a qualified professional.