Accessibility doesn’t have to be a technical mystery or an expensive overhaul. This checklist gives small business owners concrete, prioritized steps you can check off now. Each item includes a short explanation and an example of what a developer or designer will do so you can delegate work confidently.
Why prioritize accessibility first?
Accessibility improves usability for everyone, opens your site to more visitors, and reduces legal risk. Start with high-impact fixes that are quick to implement. That approach keeps costs down while making measurable progress.
High-priority checks (quick wins, high impact)
- Clear page titles: Every page needs a concise title that appears in the browser tab and as the first level of the page’s code. What a developer does: set each page’s <title> tag and ensure CMS templates allow custom titles.
- Readable font sizes and color contrast: Body text should be at least 16px and have a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 against the background. What a designer/developer does: adjust CSS font-size and color variables, and test contrast using a contrast tool.
- Keyboard navigation: Visitors must be able to reach links, form fields, and buttons using Tab. What a developer does: test keyboard focus order, add visible focus styles, and fix any components that trap focus.
- Meaningful link text: Links should describe their destination (avoid “click here”). What a content editor does: rewrite link copy; what a developer does: update templates if links are generated automatically.
- Alt text for images: Every informative image needs descriptive alt text; decorative images should have empty alt attributes (alt=””). What a content manager does: add alt text in the CMS; developers adjust media upload workflows if needed.
Medium-priority checks (important to fix next)
- Accessible headings and semantic structure: Use H2, H3, etc., in logical order—don’t skip heading levels. What a content editor does: restructure page copy; what a developer does: check templates output correct heading tags.
- Form labels and validation: Every form field should have a linked label, and error messages should be clear and programmatically associated. What a developer does: add <label for="id"> and aria-describedby for errors; what a designer does: ensure error states are visually distinct.
- Descriptive page landmarks: Use nav, main, header, and footer elements so assistive tech can jump to important areas. What a developer does: update HTML templates with semantic elements and aria roles where appropriate.
- Captioning and transcripts for video/audio: Provide captions for spoken content and transcripts for podcasts. What a producer/editor does: add SRT captions or a text transcript; developers embed captions-ready players.
Lower-priority but essential checks (longer work items)
- ARIA only when needed: ARIA can improve complex widgets but can also cause problems if misused. What a developer does: use native HTML controls first, and add ARIA roles only when a native solution won’t work.
- Colorblind-friendly visuals: Avoid conveying meaning with color alone (e.g., form errors or status labels). What a designer does: add icons or text labels and test with simulation tools.
- Mobile accessibility: Ensure tappable targets are large enough and layouts reflow sensibly. What a developer/designer does: verify touch target size and test on real devices.
- Complex widgets and custom controls: Ensure popups, menus, and carousels are keyboard accessible and announce state changes. What a developer does: implement focus management and use aria-live or role attributes appropriately.
How to test quickly and cheaply
- Use a screen reader briefly: Try VoiceOver (Mac/iOS) or NVDA (Windows) and navigate a few key pages—home, contact, product/service page. If the reading order or labels sound confusing, capture examples for your developer.
- Keyboard-only review: Tab through key pages to confirm you can reach all links and form fields. Note where focus is skipped or trapped.
- Automatic tools for a first pass: Run an automated audit with a11y tools like Lighthouse or an online checker. These highlight obvious issues (contrast, missing alt text), but they don’t replace manual checks.
- Prioritize fixes by impact: Fix site-wide template issues (headers, navigation, contrast variables) before page-specific content tweaks.
How to assign tasks to a developer or designer
When you share requests, be specific and example-driven. Instead of “make the site accessible,” provide targeted items and pages to fix. Sample task descriptions you can paste into a ticket:
- “Update header and footer templates to use <nav>, <main>, <footer> landmarks and ensure the logo link has an accessible name.”
- “Set site body font to 16px minimum and change primary/secondary colors to pass 4.5:1 contrast on body text. I attached contrast tool results for the current colors.”
- “Add aria-label or visible labels to contact form fields and ensure validation messages are connected via aria-describedby.”
Common pitfalls to avoid
- Relying only on automated tools: Automated scans miss keyboard flow and meaningful alt text issues.
- Making visual-only fixes: Hiding focus outlines or relying on color alone creates new barriers.
- Applying ARIA without need: Overuse of ARIA on native elements can make things worse for assistive tech.
Next steps and where to get help
Start by running the high-priority checks on three core pages: home, contact, and a product/service page. Document the issues with screenshots and short notes, then hand that list to a developer or designer. If you need practical help implementing fixes or a prioritized audit, Edwin Quijada offers web development services that include accessibility-focused improvements and hands-on implementation. Learn more at https://edwin-quijada.com/web-development/.
Accessibility work pays off: better user experience for everyone, reduced legal exposure, and a clearer, more professional website. Use this checklist to make steady improvements without a full rebuild.