An illustration of a storefront with the universal accessibility symbol and a circle with code placed in front of it.

Accessibility for Small Business Websites

Posted by: Jeff Mills on April 28, 2023

I have been with ADAudit for a while now as a Website Analyst and have a background in WordPress development and web hosting.

Before I took on this role, I felt that accessibility was critical for government and large corporate websites, but perhaps only a ‘nice to have’ feature for small business websites that generally have lower budgets and a smaller audience.

Yes, sometimes we must stand back and look at how wrong we can be!

One of the great things about the team at AbleDocs is the passion they have for web accessibility, and this has encouraged me to do better when it comes to the work I produce. It turns out accessibility for small business sites doesn’t have to be difficult.

Small business sites tend to be less complicated and less rigid than sites for large projects. Looking at accessibility from the start helps you build a strong foundation for your online presence.

Large corporate sites are often more restrictive with colours as they must match their branding; however, a small business can easily tweak these and achieve Web Content Accessibility Guidelines Level AAA compliance for colour contrast. Sites with fewer pages often require simple menu functions that allow for easier navigation, and even building in eye candy, such as hero sliders, can be not only effective but accessible as well.

WordPress is a popular Content Management System that powers almost 40% of websites on the internet and has many accessible features built into it. There is also a theme repository where you can download accessible themes that have to meet a minimum standard. Caring about accessibility when you build a website isn’t just the right thing to do; it is sensible as you remove barriers for potential clients and customers.

Back to Top

You may also be interested in:

  • The Americans with Disabilities Act and Digital Accessibility: What You Need to Know

    Posted in Digital Accessibility on October 26, 2023

    In an age where digital platforms shape our everyday lives – from shopping to banking, learning to socializing – ensuring these platforms are accessible to all, regardless of physical or…

    Read PostAn illustration of the American flag with the universal symbol for accessibility next to it.
  • What’s in a font?

    Posted in Digital Accessibility on July 31, 2023

    For many web developers, choosing fonts for their sites comes down to aesthetics. However, for people with dyslexia, the choice of font can determine whether text on a page can…

    Read PostThe letters A, B and C are in a bubble in the middle of the illustration. Lines leave the bubble from the top and bottom.
  • The Accessible Canada Act and Digital Accessibility: Everything You Need to Know

    Posted in Digital Accessibility on October 26, 2023

    In an era where digital spaces dominate various aspects of our daily lives, ensuring accessibility for all is not just a legal obligation but also an ethical and moral imperative.…

    Read PostAn illustration of an open laptop with the long piece of paper coming from it with a maple leaf on it. Next to it is the universal symbol for accessibility.