As the number of users looking for products or services online grows day by day, the owners of different online businesses should pay special attention to ensure that their websites are equally convenient for the entire target audience, regardless of limited abilities.
One of the key steps in achieving this is to implement a website accessibility audit. This process involves evaluating the design, structure, and content of a web resource to identify areas that may reduce or hinder the accessibility of your platform.
By doing this, you will be able to identify areas that need improvement and take appropriate action.
What is a Website Accessibility Audit?
An accessibility audit, also known as the WCAG audit or AODA and ADA website compliance audits (in Canada and the United States respectively), is a comprehensive assessment of website accessibility.
A website accessibility audit is a thorough analysis and assessment of various aspects of the website to identify potential obstacles or problems that may prevent people with disabilities from accessing and using the site.
Why is a Web Accessibility Audit Important?
- By performing an accessibility audit, you ensure compliance with legal requirements such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). Timely implementation of such analysis helps to avoid potential legal problems and penalties.
- The audit improves user experience for all categories of users, including people with disabilities. And this, in turn, improves the reputation of your brand.
- Investments in accessibility audit attract more new users. Expanding your customer base will increase conversions and, as a result, contribute to sales growth.
Components of a Comprehensive Website Accessibility Audit
The main accessibility page audit components include:
- Structure and navigation of the web resource;
- Font size and readability of text;
- Keyboard availability;
- Color contrast;
- Interactive elements, etc.
The accessibility audit report consists of 2 sections:
1. Automatic scan audit
As a part of this stage, you will have a list of elements, problems, and descriptive explanations of what is actually not compliant with accessibility standards.
2. Manual check with a screen reader
The scope of this stage usually includes one screen reader and 2 browsers (VoiceOver + Safari, VoiceOver + Chrome), but it can be expanded on demand. As a result of this stage, you will get a list of accessibility issues we found with explanations and generic examples of how to resolve these problems. Provided examples will contain a piece of generic code or a link to the resource with examples of how to resolve the issue.
The cost of a website accessibility audit may vary depending on factors such as the size and complexity of the website, as well as the required level of accessibility.
Choosing the Right Web Accessibility Consultant
Such specialized testing should be performed by experienced wcag compliance and ada/aoda compliance auditors who have a deep knowledge of accessibility principles as well as technical aspects related to this issue.
A competent accessibility consultant should:
- Have relevant experience in the sphere;
- Understand the different forms of disabilities and know how to improve the site according to their features.
- Be technically competent;
- Know ada/aoda requirements.
If you are looking for a provider of website accessibility audit services, we recommend you contact Zwebra. They know how to perform such an analysis and eliminate all availability gaps on your website.
Benefits of Ordering a Website Accessibility Audit from Zwebra
By contacting Zwebra, you can count on:
- Compliance with AODA and ADA rules and requirements;
- Vast experience, allowing us to find all those areas that require improvements. We are ready to eliminate even the slightest malfunctions!
- Wide range of Internet access services: accessible web development, design, testing, etc.
Choose Zwebra and your site will become accessible and popular with all potential customers!
