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How a Web Designer Can Make Your Website More Accessible

profile picture Mike Oct 16, 2025

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1. What Is Web Accessibility?

Web accessibility means creating websites that everyone can use, no matter their abilities or limitations. That includes people who are blind or visually impaired, have limited mobility, rely on screen readers, or use voice navigation tools.

An accessible website ensures that every visitor—not just some—can easily navigate, read, and interact with your content.

2. Why Accessibility Requires a Web Designer

While website builders and templates make it easy to launch a site, true accessibility requires knowledge, testing, and design expertise.

A professional web designer understands how to:

  • Structure layouts that are easy to navigate with screen readers.
  • Choose colors with proper contrast ratios.
  • Label buttons and images correctly for assistive technology.
  • Ensure every interactive element works from a keyboard, not just a mouse.
  • Make forms and menus usable on any device or browser.

Without this kind of detail, your site could unknowingly exclude a portion of your audience—or even fail legal accessibility standards.

3. Accessibility Isn’t Just Ethical—It’s Strategic

Hiring a web designer who prioritizes accessibility helps your business in several ways:

  • Legal Protection: Accessibility laws like the ADA and WCAG guidelines apply to many public-facing websites. A designer helps ensure your site meets compliance standards.
  • Wider Audience Reach: Accessible websites work for everyone, including aging users and people using assistive tech.
  • Better SEO: Search engines reward clean structure, proper headings, and alt text—all part of accessible design.
  • Improved User Experience: When accessibility is built in, your site becomes easier to read, navigate, and use—for all visitors.
  • Professional Credibility: A well-built accessible site shows that your business cares about inclusion and attention to detail.

4. Common Mistakes DIY Sites Make

Websites built with drag-and-drop tools or generic templates often miss key accessibility features. Common issues include:

  • Poor color contrast or unreadable text.
  • Missing alt text on images.
  • Buttons or menus that don’t work via keyboard.
  • Videos without captions.
  • Incorrect heading order, confusing assistive tools.

A professional designer knows how to spot and fix these hidden barriers before they impact your users or brand reputation.

5. What a Web Designer Does Differently

When you work with a skilled web designer, accessibility becomes part of the process—not an afterthought.

They’ll:

  • Audit your existing site for accessibility gaps.
  • Design layouts that adapt naturally to different devices and assistive technologies.
  • Use semantic HTML and ARIA labels where needed.
  • Test your site using accessibility tools and screen readers.
  • Balance clean design with compliance and usability.

Final Thoughts

Web accessibility isn’t optional anymore—it’s essential. And while anyone can build a website, not everyone can build one that everyone can use.

Hiring a professional web designer ensures your site not only looks great but also meets accessibility standards, ranks better on search engines, and provides a smoother experience for every visitor.

Because accessibility isn’t just about code—it’s about caring for your audience.