Design & Content
Here are 20 high-impact fixes you can implement today. They improve usability for everyone and support the quality signals search engines reward. Pair them with Adjustable, our on-page accessibility toolbar, to give visitors personal controls (contrast, text size, motion) that boost engagement and conversions.
How to use this list
Prioritise top landing pages and key journeys (home, pricing, product, contact/checkout).
Aim for AA outcomes and keep a simple tracking sheet: Issue → Page → Owner → Done.
After each batch, re-scan and do a 5-minute keyboard test.
The 20 Quick Wins
1) Give every page one descriptive H1
Make the H1 match the page’s primary intent. Keep a logical H2/H3 outline underneath.
2) Fix page titles
Ensure <title> is unique, descriptive, and updates on state change (e.g., “Thank you – Contact”).
3) Add a visible “Skip to content” link
Place it as the first focusable element; show it on focus and jump to #main.
4) Use real landmarks
Wrap content with semantic regions: <header>, <nav>, <main id="main">, <aside>, <footer>.
5) Make link text meaningful
Replace “click here” with action/context (“View pricing”, “Download brochure”).
6) Write helpful alt text (and omit where decorative)
Describe purpose, not pixels. Use alt="" for decorative images and CSS backgrounds for pure decoration.
7) Ensure text and controls meet contrast
Use a contrast checker. Fix tokens for body text, buttons, links, and focus outlines.
8) Make focus visible everywhere
Provide a clear, high-contrast focus indicator for links, buttons, inputs, and custom controls.
9) Verify keyboard access
Tab through: can you reach all interactive elements? Use Enter/Space/Arrows appropriately.
10) Tidy headings and reading order
Match visual order. Avoid skipping levels (don’t jump H2 → H4). Remove decorative heading styles from body text.
11) Label every form input
Add programmatic labels (<label for="…">). Group radios/checkboxes with <fieldset><legend>.
12) Write specific, polite error messages
Explain what went wrong and how to fix it. Announce changes with a polite live region if errors appear dynamically.
13) Enable autocomplete on common fields
Use autocomplete="name email address-line1 postal-code tel" to speed completion and reduce errors.
14) Don’t rely on colour alone
Add text/icon/state changes for required fields, errors, and active items.
15) Give interactive elements real buttons/links
Use <button> for actions and <a href="…"> for navigation. Add ARIA only when truly needed.
16) Fix modal/dialog behaviour
Trap focus inside the dialog, restore focus to the trigger on close, and label the dialog for screen readers.
17) Pause auto-rotating carousels
Provide play/pause controls. Avoid fast auto-advance; ensure keyboard and SR operation.
18) Respect motion preferences
Reduce or disable non-essential animations if prefers-reduced-motion is set.
19) Stabilise layout to avoid shifts
Set image dimensions, reserve space for embeds, and be careful with late-loading fonts to improve CLS.
20) Make targets comfortable on mobile
Increase tap sizes and spacing. Allow pinch-zoom; ensure content reflows at 320px without sideways scrolling.
Copy-paste mini checklist (Markdown)
Quick testing routine (15 minutes)
Keyboard sweep (5 min): Tab/Shift+Tab, open/close menus & modals, operate forms, confirm visible focus.
Screen reader skim (3–5 min): Title, headings, labels, error announcements.
Automated checks (2–3 min): Run your scanner on the page template and triage real issues.
Mobile spot check (3–5 min): Targets, zoom, reflow, motion comfort.
How Adjustable helps
Fix the structural issues above, then add Adjustable to boost user comfort and retention:
Built-in contrast and text size controls improve readability for more visitors.
Reading aids and motion settings reduce friction in key funnels.
Simple install, immediate UX uplift—ideal for Marketing Managers and Website Owners who need results.
FAQs
Are these wins enough for AA compliance?
They cover common failures and improve real-world usability. For full AA, adopt ongoing checks and address component-specific issues.
Where should we start?
Fix titles, headings, links, alt text, contrast, and focus on your top landing and conversion pages.
Do toolbars replace accessibility work?
No. Toolbars like Adjustable enhance comfort and control but don’t repair incorrect structure. Use both.
Next steps
Ship 5–7 wins on your top pages today.
Run a quick scan and a keyboard walk-through after each deploy.
Add Adjustable to support diverse needs while you continue improvements.
Read next: WCAG 2.2 AA Checklist.
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