Accessibility means making your website usable for people with disabilities. It also makes your site easier for everyone else. For a London small business, an accessible website can reach more customers, improve SEO and reduce the risk of discrimination complaints. The good news is that many accessibility improvements are straightforward.
Why accessibility matters
Over one in five people in the UK have a long-term disability. Many more have temporary impairments, such as a broken arm or poor network connection. Accessible sites work better for screen readers, voice control, keyboard users and people with low vision. Search engines also prefer clear, well-structured pages.
Colour and contrast
Do not rely on colour alone to convey information. Text needs enough contrast against its background. Buttons and links should be easy to see. Our midnight navy, warm cream and burnt sienna palette is designed to meet contrast guidelines while looking distinctive.
Navigation and keyboard use
Every interactive element should be reachable and usable with a keyboard. Test tab order, focus indicators and menu behaviour. Skip links, clear labels and logical headings help screen-reader users understand the page. Forms should have associated labels and clear error messages.
Content and readability
Use plain language, short paragraphs and descriptive headings. Avoid jargon where possible. Provide alt text for images that carry meaning. Do not use images of text unless necessary. These habits help people with cognitive impairments and anyone reading on a small screen.
Testing and tools
Use free tools such as WAVE, axe DevTools and Lighthouse to catch common issues. Manual checks matter too: navigate with a keyboard, zoom to 200 percent and listen to the page with a screen reader. No automated tool can catch every barrier, but they are a great starting point.
Frequently asked questions
Is accessibility a legal requirement?
Yes, public sector websites have strict requirements. Private sector businesses serving the public should also make reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act. Accessibility is good practice and reduces legal risk.
How much extra does accessibility cost?
Many accessibility practices are part of good web design. Significant retrofitting can cost more, but building accessibly from the start usually adds little to a typical small business project.
Do I need a formal accessibility audit?
A full WCAG audit is useful for larger organisations. For most small businesses, using automated tools, keyboard testing and common sense will cover the main barriers.
What is alt text?
Alt text is a short description of an image for screen readers and search engines. It should describe the purpose of the image, not just its appearance.
