7 Ways To Improve Website Usability And Accessibility

Introduction

Website usability and accessibility are essential for providing a seamless experience to all users, including people with disabilities. A well-optimized website ensures better engagement, higher conversions, and compliance with accessibility standards.

This guide covers seven key improvements to enhance usability and ensure your website is accessible to a broader audience.

1. Improve Navigation and Site Structure

Users should be able to find information quickly and easily on your website. A clear navigation structure enhances user experience, SEO, and accessibility.

Best Practices:

• Use a logical menu structure with clear labels
• Include a search function to help users find content
• Keep navigation consistent across all pages
• Use breadcrumb navigation to improve page discoverability

Example: A well-structured navigation bar with clear categories helps users locate content quickly without frustration.

‍2. Use Descriptive and Accessible Links

Screen readers rely on clear, descriptive link text to help users navigate a site. Avoid vague terms like "Click here" or "Read more."

‍Best Practices:

• Use link text that describes the destination (e.g., “Download our accessibility guide” instead of “Click here”)
• Ensure links stand out with visible contrast and underlines
• Avoid linking entire paragraphs—keep links concise

Example: A link labeled “Explore our Web Accessibility Guide” is more informative than “Learn more.”

‍3. Optimize for Mobile Responsiveness

More than 60% of web traffic comes from mobile devices. Ensuring mobile-friendliness improves both usability and SEO rankings.

Best Practices:

• Use a responsive design that adjusts to different screen sizes
• Keep buttons large enough for easy tapping on touchscreens
• Avoid pop-ups or overlays that disrupt the mobile experience
• Optimize images and fonts for better readability on smaller screens

Example: A responsive website adapts to both desktop and mobile without breaking layouts or hiding essential content.

4. Provide Alternative Text for Images

Alternative text (alt text) is essential for users who rely on screen readers and improves SEO by making images search-friendly.

Best Practices:

• Add descriptive alt text for every meaningful image
• Keep alt text concise but informative
• Avoid redundant phrases like “Image of” or “Picture of”

Example: Instead of “Image of a woman using a laptop”, use “A designer using Figma to create a website mockup.”

‍5. Improve Contrast and Readability

Poor contrast makes text difficult to read, especially for users with visual impairments or color blindness. A website should maintain high contrast between text and background for readability.

Best Practices:

• Use a minimum contrast ratio of 4.5:1 for normal text (as per WCAG guidelines)
• Avoid using color as the only means of conveying information
• Use clear, legible fonts and avoid overly decorative typography

Example: Black text on a white background is much easier to read than light gray text on a white background.

‍6. Enable Keyboard Navigation

Not all users navigate with a mouse—some rely on keyboard navigation or assistive devices. A website should be fully functional using only the Tab, Enter, and Arrow keys.

Best Practices:

• Ensure all interactive elements (buttons, menus, forms) are accessible via keyboard
• Use visible focus indicators to show which element is selected
• Avoid trapping users inside pop-ups or modal windows without an easy exit

Example: A user should be able to tab through form fields and submit without requiring a mouse.

7. Provide Captions and Transcripts for Multimedia

Videos and audio content should include closed captions and transcripts to make content accessible for users who are deaf, hard of hearing, or in sound-sensitive environments.

Best Practices:

• Add closed captions to all video content
• Provide text transcripts for podcasts and audio files
• Use high-contrast subtitles for readability

Example: YouTube videos with auto-generated captions improve accessibility but manually edited captions ensure better accuracy.

‍Conclusion

Improving website usability and accessibility is not just about compliance—it’s about creating an inclusive, user-friendly experience for everyone. By optimizing navigation, enhancing readability, enabling keyboard access, and improving multimedia support, businesses can reach a wider audience and boost engagement.

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‍Need help designing an accessible, high-performing website? Contact AIINOV8 today.