It’s 2024, so making your website accessible to everyone isn’t just about ticking a box for inclusivity. It is a fundamental necessity! But are you ready for a cool twist? Focusing on web accessibility can also give your site’s SEO a serious advantage, especially for those rocking a WordPress site!
So what is it all about? Ensure your website is accessible to all and, at the same time, scores some SEO brownie points. Let’s explore the relationship between web accessibility and SEO and why an accessibility plugin for WordPress isn’t just convenient but could significantly revamp your online presence.
Better User Experience
Did you think that web accessibility was just about making your site usable? Guess again. Web accessibility is about making your site usable for everyone, including people with disabilities.
When your site is easy to navigate and understand, it not only helps people with disabilities but also improves the overall user experience. Plus, it ensures you’re ADA-compliant! Search engines love sites that provide a great user experience, and they show this love by bumping such sites higher in search results.
Enhanced Content Accessibility
What does web accessibility mean when it comes to content? That your content is organized in a way so that all users can access it?. This includes using clear headings and descriptive link text and ensuring your site is both desktop- and mobile-friendly. These practices not only help users with disabilities but also make your content more digestible for search engines, improving your SEO.
Increased Site Engagement
An accessible website invites more visitors to engage with your content. Features like keyboard navigation and alt text for images make your site more understandable and easier to navigate. The more time people spend on your site, the more search engines see your site as valuable, which can lead to better rankings.
Avoiding Duplicate Content Issues
Sometimes, to make sites accessible, web admins create separate versions of the same site – one for general users and one for users with disabilities. What this can do though is lead to duplicate content issues, which search engines do not like. By integrating accessibility directly into your main WordPress site, you can avoid this pitfall.
Social Sharing and Visibility
Accessible content is more likely to be shared, increasing your site’s visibility and backlink profile. This is SEO gold, as search engines consider backlinks as a critical ranking factor. So, making your site accessible can indirectly boost your SEO through increased social sharing.
Compliance and Reputation
Did you know that web accessibility isn’t just about best practices — it’s also the law! By ensuring your WordPress site meets accessibility standards, you avoid legal issues and build a reputation as an inclusive brand. And what’s the result of that? It builds trust, which can translate into better rankings, as search engines increasingly value trustworthiness and authority.
Unlocking SEO Success
Web accessibility is a win-win: it’s good for users, good for SEO, and good for your brand. In the WordPress universe, leveraging an accessibility plugin can make implementing these practices smoother and more efficient.
By focusing on accessibility, you’re not only opening your digital doors to a broader audience but also giving your SEO a significant boost. Remember, a website that’s accessible to all is a website that’s ready to climb the SEO ladder.