Web Accessibility (WCAG): Why an inclusive site benefits everyone

Home » Web Accessibility (WCAG): Why an inclusive site benefits everyone

What you will discover in this article:

• What is web accessibility and WCAG guidelines
• Why an accessible site sells more
• 3 quick interventions to improve accessibility today
• The positive impact on SEO and ranking

Designing a website today doesn't just mean making it "beautiful". It means making it work for everyone, regardless of the user's physical or technological abilities. An accessible site is a site that excludes no one.

What is web accessibility?

Web accessibility refers to the practice of removing barriers that prevent interaction with or access to websites by people with disabilities (visual, auditory, motor, or cognitive). WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) are the international standard that defines how to do it correctly.

Why an accessible site sells more

1. Market expansion: About 15% of the global population lives with a form of disability. Excluding them means losing potential customers.
2. Better UX for everyone: A site with readable texts and clear navigation also helps the elderly user or someone browsing in the sun with a smartphone.
3. Legality: In many sectors and countries, accessibility is becoming a regulatory obligation (European Accessibility Act).

3 quick interventions to improve your site

• Color contrast: Make sure the text is easily readable against the background (avoid light gray on white).
• Alternative Texts (Alt Text): Describe important images in the code so screen readers can read them to the blind.
• Keyboard navigation: Verify that your site is navigable using only the "Tab" key, without a mouse.

The positive impact on SEO

Google loves accessible sites. Many accessibility practices (such as the correct hierarchy of H1, H2 titles or Alt Texts) are the same ones that help search engines better understand your site's content. An accessible site is, almost always, a technically perfect site for SEO.

At MKDA we design digital experiences that put the user at the center, breaking down every barrier between your brand and your customer.

Author: Matteo Kiramarios

Founder of MKDA. Designer and developer committed to creating a more human and accessible web.