Why Website Accessibility Matters (And What You Should Know)
When people talk about great web design, it usually starts with the obvious: a site that looks sharp, loads quickly, and is easy to navigate. All of that matters but there’s another side of web design that doesn’t get talked about enough:
Making sure everyone can use your website.
That’s what accessibility is all about. And whether you’re just starting to explore it or already working with us on a new site, this guide will walk you through what it means, why it’s important, and what we do to help you build a site that works for everyone.
So… What Is Website Accessibility?
In short, accessibility means designing your website so that people with disabilities, whether visual, auditory, physical, or cognitive, can browse, navigate, and interact with it just like anyone else.
Think about it:
- Someone using a screen reader
- A person navigating your site using just a keyboard
- A customer who’s colorblind
- A user who’s deaf and relies on captions to watch videos
These are real customers, and if your site isn’t built with accessibility in mind, they may not be able to use it at all.
The Legal Side: What the ADA Says About Your Website
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a civil rights law that bans discrimination against people with disabilities. While it originally applied to physical spaces, since 2018, courts have ruled that websites are considered “places of public accommodation,” too.
That means your website needs to be accessible, or you could be at risk legally.
Now here’s where it gets a little tricky: the ADA doesn’t actually give you a clear checklist for what a compliant website looks like. That’s why the standard most businesses follow is called WCAG 2.1 (short for Web Content Accessibility Guidelines). These guidelines are widely accepted as the go-to framework for designing accessible websites.
What We Include in Every Website We Build
At Rock City Digital, we take accessibility seriously, and we build every site with a solid foundation of best practices. We call these our RCD Built Standards, and they’re included in every project.
Here’s what that includes:
- Good color contrast for better readability
- Support for screen readers
- Keyboard navigation
- Alt text on all images
- Captions for videos
- ARIA support for assistive technology
- Features like skip navigation links, pinch-to-zoom, link underlines, and the ability to disable animations
These features help make your site more accessible to a wide range of users and put you on a strong path forward. That said, because the ADA doesn’t lay out specific technical requirements, no one can guarantee full legal compliance just by using a checklist.
When You Might Need to Go a Step Further
In some cases, your industry, funding requirements, or just peace of mind may call for an added layer of accessibility. For that, we recommend a tool called accessiBe.
What is accessiBe?
accessiBe is an AI-powered accessibility tool that works behind the scenes on your website. It continually scans and adjusts your site content to help you stay in line with WCAG standards even as things change over time.
We’ve partnered with accessiBe because it’s a reliable, budget-friendly solution for businesses that want to take accessibility to the next level.
Here’s what accessWidget (their tool) includes:
- $49/month or $490/year
- Free installation and 30-day free trial
- Monthly compliance audits
- An accessibility statement for your site
- Litigation support, if needed
- Potential eligibility for a tax credit
It’s a lightweight, low-effort way to help keep your site accessible and reduce legal risk without needing constant manual updates.
A Quick Note for Our Clients
If you’ve already signed on with Rock City Digital for a website, you’re in good hands. Our RCD Built Standards are already baked into your build, and we’re committed to making your site as accessible as possible from day one.
However, it’s important to know:
- We follow the best practices that align with WCAG 2.1.
- You are ultimately responsible for maintaining accessibility on your site especially if content changes or updates are made down the road.
- If your business has specific legal or grant requirements, an additional tool like accessiBe may help meet those needs.
We’re always happy to chat about your goals and walk you through your options so you feel confident in what’s being done and why it matters.
Bottom Line: Accessibility is Good for Everyone
Making your website accessible isn’t just about avoiding legal issues. It’s about making sure real people can connect with your business, people who may otherwise be unintentionally excluded.
It’s good for your brand.
It’s good for your users.
And yes, it’s good for business.
Whether you’re just getting started or you’re already in the build process, we’re here to support you every step of the way.
Frequently Asked Questions About Website Accessibility
1. Why is Website Accessibility important for small businesses?
Website Accessibility ensures that everyone, including people with disabilities, can use your site without barriers. For affordable web design for small businesses in Arkansas, accessibility also means reaching a wider audience, improving user experience, and avoiding potential ADA compliance issues that could affect your brand reputation.
2. How does Rock City Digital include accessibility in its web design process?
Our Little Rock web development team builds every site with accessibility in mind using features like alt text, keyboard navigation, and color contrast adjustments. These RCD Built Standards ensure your site meets WCAG 2.1 guidelines and reflects modern best practices in website design, Little Rock AR.
3. Can I make my current website more accessible without starting from scratch?
Yes! Whether you’re working with website companies in Little Rock or managing your own updates, accessibility can be improved with thoughtful adjustments like adding alt text, captions, and better color contrast. For an easy upgrade, we recommend accessiBe, an AI-powered tool that helps maintain website accessibility compliance over time.
4. How does Website Accessibility affect SEO and online performance?
When your site is accessible, it’s easier for both users and search engines to navigate. That can improve your rankings and engagement—especially for competitive industries like web design in Little Rock AR. Accessibility isn’t just about inclusion—it’s also a smart SEO move.
5. Curious About accessiBe?
If you’re interested in accessiBe and want to know what it actually looks like to get started, check out our follow-up post, What to Expect When You Sign Up for accessiBe.
We break down exactly how it works, how we’ll install it for you, and what to expect during the free trial and beyond.
Have questions about Website Accessibility or what’s included in your project? Just reach out to our Little Rock web development team, are happy to walk through it with you.
