Accessibility and SEO — Why are they related?
Accessibility on the web is not just about making a website useful for people with different functional disabilities. It is also an important factor for better SEO and higher conversions. When we create a website that works for everyone, we also create a better experience for more potential customers.
Easy to read texts and clear navigation make it easier for visitors to find the right one. It reduces the bounce rate and increases the chances of them completing a purchase or desired action. Faster loading times also contribute to a smoother user experience, which both visitors and search engines like Google value highly. By investing in accessibility, you not only improve usability, but you also strengthen your SEO and increase your business opportunities
Do you want to understand what the law means? Then read our previous posts on the subject.
> What do the Accessibility Directive and the WCAG mean?
> The New Accessibility Adaptation Act
SEO and Accessibility — What Technical Factors Affect?
SEO and accessibility have many principles in common, so it's important to focus on both to improve your website's visibility. Here are some key areas to keep in mind:
1. Design
Both accessibility and SEO are important from a design perspective. A website that is easy to use and navigate benefits both areas. A well-designed website where users easily find what they are looking for has a better chance of ranking well on the search engines.
Consider: Design a website with good contrast ratios, easy-to-read fonts and a clear UX.
2. Alt-text for images
Alt texts are important for accessibility. They help screen readers understand images and are also used by search engines to interpret the content.
Consider: Use relevant keywords in the alt texts so that they can appear in image search and increase traffic.
3. Page Titles
Page titles are used by screen readers to provide an overview of the page's content and are also visible in search results.
Consider: Use unique and descriptive titles with relevant keywords.
4. Readability
Easy-to-read texts improve both accessibility and SEO. People with disabilities benefit from clear and concise language, while search engines more easily index easy-to-read content.
Consider: Adapt your language to your target audience and avoid jargon or difficult words.
5. Headlines
Clear headers make it easier for people with disabilities to navigate the page and help search engines understand the structure.
Consider: Use special header levels in your code, where “H1" is the largest header and “H2" is used for subheadings.
6. Subtitles on videos
It is important to include subtitles on videos or print a transcribed version of audio content. This makes the material accessible to people with hearing impairment and also improves SEO.
Consider: Use clear and correctly written subtitles. Automatically generated texts can lead to misunderstandings and impair both accessibility and SEO.
7th. Breadcrumbs
Breadcrumbs show where the user is within the hierarchy of pages and helps search engines understand the structure.
Consider: Breadcrumbs should be clear and reflect the real structure of the website. If they are inconsistent, they can confuse both users and search engines.
8. Anchor Texts
Anchor texts, that is, the clickable text of a link, are important for both accessibility and SEO. Descriptive anchor texts help search engines understand how pages are connected.
Consider: Avoid generic phrases like “Click here” or “Learn more.” Instead, use descriptive texts that clearly show what the link leads to.
Not sure if you did the right thing? Here's how you can test your website.
How accessibility benefits your SEO
Betting on accessibility is not just a matter of inclusion. It is also a smart strategy to improve your website's SEO and user experience. By implementing these techniques, you make your website more accessible to everyone, while increasing your visibility in search engines.
Do you want to optimize your website for both SEO and accessibility? Learn more and order our accessibility review.
