This week is Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), and it’s the perfect time to ask: Is your website truly accessible to everyone who might visit it?
At Social+, we believe that great marketing starts with inclusion. That’s why digital access is more than a nice-to-have. It’s a core part of how we design websites, write content, and run campaigns. Whether you’re a small business, a community brand, or a growing organisation, making your digital presence more accessible benefits everyone – including your SEO.
Let’s break down why digital access matters, how it affects your Google rankings, and what steps you can take to improve accessibility on your site.
What Is Digital Access?
Digital access means ensuring your online content, services, and platforms can be used by as many people as possible. This includes people with visual, auditory, cognitive, or mobility impairments.
This might involve using proper colour contrast and readable fonts, enabling keyboard-only navigation, or adding alternative text to your images. It’s all about removing barriers so everyone can engage with your brand online.
And when you do it well, the benefits reach far beyond accessibility. It improves user experience, strengthens brand trust, and supports search visibility too.
Why Google Cares About Accessibility
Google is focused on delivering the best possible experience for its users. That means prioritising websites that are fast, easy to navigate, mobile-friendly, and increasingly, accessible.
When your website includes accessibility features like image descriptions, structured headings, and keyboard-friendly design, Google can better understand and rank your content. Many of the same practices that support digital access also support SEO.
Here are a few examples:
- Alt text helps search engines understand your images and can boost visibility in image search results.
- Clear heading structures help Google crawl and interpret your content more effectively.
- Responsive and mobile-friendly layouts reduce bounce rates and keep users on your site longer.
- Descriptive link text gives users and crawlers better context, improving usability and structure.
- Transcripts and captions for videos help Google index rich media content and support all users.
If you’re investing in SEO but ignoring accessibility, you’re missing a key part of what makes websites rank well.
Practical Ways to Improve Digital Access
You don’t need a full website rebuild to make accessibility improvements. Here are some impactful steps you can take to improve digital access right now:
1. Add Text-to-Speech Tools
These allow users to listen to your content instead of reading it. This supports people with dyslexia, vision impairments, or cognitive challenges. There are several browser-friendly tools available that are quick to implement.
2. Offer an Easy Read Version
Create simplified versions of your key pages using plain language and clear sentence structure. Easy Read formats often use short paragraphs, bullet points, and images to explain information clearly and support people with learning disabilities.
3. Write Alt Text for All Images
Every image on your site should have a short but descriptive text alternative. This helps screen reader users understand your content and improves how Google indexes your media.
4. Make Sure Your Site Can Be Used Without a Mouse
Some users rely on keyboard-only navigation. Test your site to ensure every part of it -from menus to forms – can be accessed using just the tab, enter, and arrow keys.
5. Include Captions and Transcripts for Videos
Video is one of the most engaging forms of content online. But without captions, users who are deaf or hard of hearing may be excluded. Captions also improve comprehension for people watching in sound-off environments.
6. Use High Contrast and Clear Fonts
Avoid grey-on-white text or fonts that are overly decorative. Clear text, proper spacing, and strong contrast ratios make reading easier for all users and reduce fatigue.
How Social+ Supports Accessible Digital Marketing
At Social+, we see accessibility as part of good design. Whether we’re building a new website, designing a campaign, or writing content, we think about how that experience will work for everyone – not just the majority.
We believe that digital access isn’t a one-off task. It’s a mindset. When businesses include accessibility in their marketing, they’re creating a better experience for their audience and improving how they show up online.
Ready to Improve Your Digital Access?
If accessibility hasn’t been on your radar before, now is the time to start. Digital access helps users, supports SEO, and reflects your brand values. It doesn’t need to be complicated – and it’s one of the most important things you can do to make your content work harder.
Whether you want an accessibility review, website support, or help with content that reaches more people, we’re here to help. Social+ is proud to support businesses that care about doing digital better.
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