The Ultimate Website Accessibility Checklist (For SEO, Compliance, and Better UX)

Website Accessibility is More Than Just a Legal Checkbox— It’s Good Business

If you’ve ever landed on a website and struggled to read tiny gray text, navigate a cluttered menu, or watch a video without captions, you’ve experienced bad accessibility firsthand. Now imagine dealing with those issues every single day because of a disability.

That’s why website accessibility isn’t just an afterthought— it’s a necessity. It ensures that everyone, including people with disabilities, can fully use, navigate, and engage with your website. And guess what? Making your site accessible doesn’t just help users— it helps you, too:

• Google ranks accessible websites higher, meaning better SEO and more organic traffic.

• Your audience gets a smoother experience, leading to higher engagement and conversions.

• It reduces legal risks, as more businesses are facing lawsuits for failing to meet accessibility standards.

Now, let’s fix the most common accessibility mistakes so your site is easier to use, more SEO-friendly, and legally compliant, using this Website Accessibility Checklist

Text & Content Accessibility: If They Can’t Read It, They’ll Leave

Imagine walking into a store where all the labels are written in microscopic, light gray font on a white background. Would you stick around? Nope.

The same logic applies to your website. If your content is hard to read, unstructured, or missing key descriptions, you’re not just making things difficult for users—you’re actively driving them away.

Headings Are Not Just for Looks— They’re a Roadmap

Headings (H1, H2, H3, etc.) aren’t just for design— they create a logical structure for screen readers and search engines.

• An H1 should be the main page title— there should only be one per page.

• H2s are section headings that help users and Google understand what each part of the page is about.

• H3s (and beyond) are subheadings that break down content even further.

If you’re skipping headings or using them randomly (hello, H4 before H2?), screen readers can’t make sense of your content, and Google doesn’t know how to rank it properly.

Alt Text: Because “IMG_1234.jpg” Tells No One Anything

Every image on your website should have alt text—a short, clear description of what’s in the image.

Alt text is critical for users with visual impairments, as screen readers read it aloud so they can understand what’s on the page. It also helps Google index your images for search rankings.

Instead of:

❌ “Image of a woman”

Try:

✅ “Freelance designer working on a brand strategy in a notebook.”

The goal is to describe the image’s purpose, not just its appearance. If it’s a button, describe what clicking it does (e.g., “Download branding guide”). If it’s purely decorative, skip the alt text so screen readers don’t waste time on it.

Contrast & Readability: Light Gray Text on White is a Crime

If your text blends into the background, it’s unreadable— especially for users with low vision or color blindness.

Here’s how to make sure your text stands out and is easy to read:

• Use dark text on a light background (or vice versa).

• Font size should be at least 16px— no one wants to squint.

• Avoid fancy script fonts for body text or smaller headings that might be harder to read (they look pretty but are a nightmare for readability).

Want to check if your site’s contrast is good enough? Run it through The Color Palette Studio's free color contrast checker.

Navigation & Usability: If Users Can’t Move Around Your Site, What’s the Point?

Your website should be navigable without a mouse. Why? Because many people rely on keyboards, voice commands, or adaptive technology to browse the web.

Keyboard Navigation: The Ultimate Test

Want to see if your site passes the keyboard accessibility test? Try this:

1. Press the Tab key on your keyboard.

2. Try to move through your site without touching your mouse.

If you can’t easily access menus, links, buttons, or forms, then users who rely on keyboard navigation or assistive tech can’t either. That’s a huge accessibility fail.

Make sure every interactive element (buttons, links, forms) is keyboard-accessible— if it requires a mouse, it’s broken for a huge portion of users.

“Skip to Content” Links: Because No One Wants to Tab Through 20 Menu Items

For users who navigate via keyboard or screen readers, getting stuck in endless navigation menus is super frustrating.

A "Skip to Content" link at the top of your site lets your visitors jump straight to the main content without tabbing through every menu item first.

This small little addition makes a huge difference in usability— and Google considers it a ranking factor for accessibility-friendly sites.

Forms & Buttons: Make It Easy to Click, Type, and Submit

Forms and buttons are where conversions happen, but if they’re frustrating to use, you’re losing leads.

Clear Labels & Descriptions (Placeholders Are NOT Labels!)

Every input field in a form needs a clear, visible label— not just placeholder text.

Placeholders disappear when users start typing, which can be a problem for people with cognitive disabilities or memory issues.

Instead of:

❌ A blank field with just “Enter name” as a placeholder.

Use:

✅ A visible label above the field: “Full Name:”

This ensures screen readers can properly announce the field, making it usable for everyone.

Buttons Should Tell People What They’re Doing

If your button just says “Submit”, that’s about as helpful as a GPS saying “Go.”

Instead of:

❌ “Submit”

Try:

✅ “Sign up for the free course”

Descriptive buttons help everyone understand what they’re clicking on, including screen readers, neurodivergent users, and distracted scrollers.

Use This Website Accessibility Checklist to Help Your Compliance

An accessible website isn’t just about avoiding lawsuits or checking a box— it’s about creating a better experience for every single visitor who lands on your website.

When your site is accessible, you:

✔ Improve your SEO rankings (Google favors accessibility)

✔ Attract more visitors who stay longer and engage more

✔ Build trust and credibility with your audience

Use this checklist to audit your website today and start making small improvements that lead to big wins for your website visitors AND your business.

📌 Need help making your website accessible? Check out my Website Maintenance Plans and let’s get your site optimized for everyone— not just a select few!