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  • WCAG Tips Every Content Creator Should Know

    When you’re creating content for the web, accessibility might not always be the first thing on your mind. You’re busy crafting engaging stories, writing catchy headlines, or finding the perfect image. But here’s the deal: ignoring accessibility can limit your audience and potentially land you in legal trouble. That’s where Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) comes in—and yes, it’s easier than you think.

    Let’s break down what WCAG is, why it matters for content creators, and how you can make your content shine for everyone.

    What is WCAG, and Why Should You Care?

    WCAG stands for Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, but don’t let the formal name intimidate you. These guidelines are essentially a roadmap for making websites, apps, and digital content usable for everyone—whether someone has a disability or not. Developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), WCAG focuses on four key principles: making content perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust (POUR). Think of it as a checklist to ensure your site is accessible to as many people as possible.

    It’s all about ensuring that everyone, regardless of their abilities, can engage with your website. Sounds important, right? It is.

    And it’s not just for developers! WCAG applies to everyone involved in building a website, including content creators. Accessible content expands your reach, enhances the user experience, boosts your site’s SEO, and helps you avoid potential legal pitfalls. In short, accessibility isn’t a chore—it’s a win-win.

    The Benefits of Accessible Content

    Expand Your Audience Reach

    Did you know that 28.7% of adults in the U.S.—that’s over 61 million people—live with a disability? Globally, this number jumps to over 1 billion people, or 16% of the world’s population. Aligning your content with WCAG opens the door to a massive audience that often faces barriers online. Accessible content ensures these users can interact with your brand just as easily as anyone else.

    Boost SEO

    Accessible content improves your website’s visibility. For example, alternative text for images helps search engines understand your visuals, while properly structured headings and clear navigation improve crawlability. Research shows that websites meeting accessibility standards often rank higher in search engine results, giving you an edge over competitors who overlook these guidelines.

    Enhance User Experience

    Accessibility benefits everyone—not just those with disabilities. A study by Forrester Research found that improving user experience can increase conversion rates by up to 200%. Features like video captions, clear navigation, and legible fonts make it easier for users of all abilities to engage with your content.

    Avoid Legal Risks

    Lawsuits related to digital accessibility are on the rise. In the U.S., 4,605 web accessibility lawsuits were filed under the ADA in 2023—a nearly 13% increase from the previous year. Following WCAG not only protects your brand from potential litigation but also demonstrates your commitment to inclusivity.

    Practical WCAG Tips for Content Creators

    Making your content accessible doesn’t require a complete overhaul. Small, thoughtful changes can make a huge difference. Let’s dive into some practical tips for content creators, with expanded advice to make each step actionable.

    Use Proper Headings

    Headings aren’t just for organizing your thoughts—they’re essential for accessibility. Structured headings (H1, H2, H3, etc.) create a clear hierarchy that helps all users, including those using screen readers, navigate your content easily.

    • Start with a single H1 as the main title of your page.
    • Use H2 for main sections and H3 for subsections. Avoid skipping levels (e.g., going from H1 directly to H3).
    • Write headings that are concise but descriptive. For example, “Tips for Accessible Content” is better than “Tips.”

    Properly structured headings also improve SEO by signaling the importance of your content to search engines.

    Add Alternative Text for Images

    Alternative text (alt text) describes the content of an image for users who can’t see it. This helps screen reader users and also boosts SEO by making your images searchable.

    • Be specific and relevant. Instead of “Picture of a cake,” use “A three-tiered chocolate cake with white icing and red roses.”
    • Avoid saying “Image of” or “Picture of”—screen readers already indicate it’s an image.
    • If an image is decorative and doesn’t convey critical information, use a null alt attribute (alt=" ") so screen readers can skip it.

    Alt text should fit naturally into your content, adding context without overloading users with unnecessary details.

    Color Contrast

    Color contrast is vital for users with visual impairments, such as color blindness or low vision. Text that blends into the background is difficult to read, even for users without disabilities.

    • Use a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for regular text and 3:1 for large text (as per WCAG SC 1.4.3).
    • Avoid using color alone to convey meaning. For instance, instead of relying on red text to indicate an error, include a descriptive message like “Please enter a valid email address.”
    • Test your designs with online contrast checkers to ensure compliance.

    Strong contrast not only aids accessibility but also improves readability and engagement for all users.

    Choose Accessible Fonts

    The typeface you use plays a significant role in how accessible your content is. Some fonts are more legible than others, particularly for users with visual impairments or learning disabilities.

    • Opt for sans-serif fonts like Arial, Verdana, or Tahoma, which are easier to read on screens.
    • Ensure your font size is large enough—typically at least 16px for body text.
    • Avoid excessive italics or decorative fonts that may be hard to read.

    Accessible fonts contribute to a cleaner, more professional appearance that benefits all users.

    Write Descriptive Links

    Vague link text like “Click here” or “Learn more” can be confusing for screen reader users. Instead, use descriptive link text that tells users where the link will take them.

    • Good example: “Read our guide on WCAG compliance for content creators.”
    • Bad example: “Click here.”
    • Ensure links make sense out of context. Some users navigate sites by jumping between links, so each one should provide value on its own.

    Descriptive links also make your content easier to scan and improve your site’s SEO.

    Create Accessible Tables

    Tables are useful for presenting data but can become a nightmare for accessibility if not designed properly.

    • Use headers (<th> tags) for column or row titles. This helps screen readers understand the table structure.
    • Avoid merging cells or using tables for layout purposes—this confuses assistive technologies.
    • Include captions to explain the table’s purpose. For example, “Table showing monthly website traffic for 2023.”

    Accessible tables ensure your data is comprehensible for all users, not just those using traditional browsers.

    Caption Your Videos

    Video captions aren’t just helpful for people who are deaf or hard of hearing—they’re valuable for anyone in a noisy or quiet environment.

    • Include both closed captions (user-controlled) and open captions (always visible).
    • Ensure captions are synced accurately with the dialogue or sounds.
    • For additional accessibility, provide a transcript that includes all spoken words, sound effects, and meaningful visual elements.

    Well-captioned videos increase engagement, improve retention, and align with WCAG guidelines.

    Use Plain Language

    Accessible content isn’t just about design—it’s also about the words you choose. Writing in plain language ensures your content is easy to understand for a broad audience, including users with cognitive disabilities.

    • Break complex ideas into smaller, simpler sentences.
    • Define jargon or technical terms the first time they appear.
    • Use bullet points and lists to organize information clearly.

    Plain language isn’t dumbing down your content; it’s making it more approachable and impactful.

    Monitor Accessibility Regularly

    Creating accessible content isn’t a one-and-done task. Websites are dynamic, with new pages, updates, and features being added constantly. This means your accessibility efforts need regular check-ins to ensure compliance with WCAG standards. Neglecting this can leave you vulnerable to accessibility gaps, which not only alienate users but could also lead to legal risks.

    Thankfully, tools like a11y.Radar make monitoring accessibility easier and more effective. This specialized service continuously scans your site for issues, giving you a clear, actionable picture of your site’s compliance status.

    Final Thoughts

    Accessibility doesn’t have to be overwhelming, and you don’t have to tackle it alone. With WCAG as your guide and the right support, you can create content that reaches more people, performs better in search engines, and provides an exceptional user experience. But ensuring accessibility is more than a one-time effort—it’s an ongoing process.

    That’s where we come in.

    At 216digital, we specialize in making web accessibility simple and actionable for content creators just like you. Whether you’re new to WCAG or need help fine-tuning your content strategy, our ADA briefing is the perfect place to start.

    Schedule your ADA briefing today, and let us show you how to make your content accessible, impactful, and compliant—all while reaching a broader audience and safeguarding your business. Accessibility is an opportunity, and together, we can help you unlock it.

    Greg McNeil

    November 26, 2024
    WCAG Compliance
    Accessibility, Content Creators, Content Writing, SEO, WCAG, WCAG Compliance, Web Accessibility
  • How to Make Your Blog Accessible to All Readers

    How to Make Your Blog Accessible to All Readers

    Creating a blog that’s accessible to everyone isn’t just good for your readers—it’s also a win for your website’s success. When we talk about web accessibility, we mean making sure that people of all abilities can access and understand your content. This includes individuals with disabilities who may use assistive technologies like screen readers. And there’s an added bonus: making your blog accessible can also improve your SEO (Search Engine Optimization), boosting your site’s visibility in search engines.

    In this guide, we’ll explore several steps to ensure your blog is accessible to everyone, with a focus on improving usability and optimizing it for search engines. Whether you’re a website owner, developer, or content creator, these practical tips will help you reach a wider audience and provide a better experience for all users.

    How Accessible Content Helps SEO

    Let’s start with the big question: How does making your blog accessible help with SEO? Search engines, like Google, favor websites that provide a better user experience, and accessibility plays a big role in this.

    When your blog is accessible, it’s easier for search engines to understand the content. Things like descriptive image alt text, structured headings, and meaningful links all give search engines more information about what’s on your page. This helps your content rank higher in search results. And since more people (including those with disabilities) can interact with your site, you’ll have a broader audience—another positive signal for SEO.

    By making your blog accessible, you’ll not only help people who rely on assistive technology, but you’ll also make your content easier to find for everyone. It’s a win-win!

    Use Headings to Convey Meaning and Structure

    One of the easiest ways to make your blog more accessible is by using headings properly. Headings help break up your content and make it easier to follow. But they’re more than just big, bold text—they’re essential for screen readers to understand the structure of a page (per WCAG 1.3.1).

    When you use headings (H1, H2, H3, etc.), you’re telling both readers and search engines what’s important on the page. Your main title should be an H1, and any subtopics should be in descending order of importance using H2s and H3s. For example, in this article, “Use Headings to Convey Meaning and Structure” is an H2 because it’s a main section, while smaller points could be H3s.

    Headings allow users to skim your blog and quickly find the information they’re looking for. This is especially helpful for readers using assistive technology, as screen readers rely on heading tags to navigate a webpage.

    Keep Content Clear and Concise

    Nobody likes wading through long, complicated paragraphs. Most people scan online content rather than reading it word-for-word. That’s why it’s important to keep your writing clear, concise, and easy to digest (per WCAG 3.1.5).

    Simple, straightforward language isn’t just good for accessibility—it’s good for your readers in general. If someone lands on your blog and can quickly understand the point you’re making, they’re more likely to stick around.

    This is especially true for people with cognitive disabilities who may have difficulty processing complex information. Break up your text into short paragraphs, use bullet points or numbered lists where appropriate, and avoid using jargon unless absolutely necessary.

    Remember: the clearer your content, the more accessible it is to everyone.

    Describe Your Images

    Images add visual interest to your blog posts, but they can create barriers if not handled properly. For people who are blind or have low vision, images need to be described in a way that makes sense with the content (per WCAG 1.1.1).

    That’s where alt text comes in. Alt text is a short description of an image that is read aloud by screen readers. It should be clear and concise, describing the image’s purpose in the context of your blog post. For example, if you have a picture of a dog in a blog about pet care, your alt text might say “Golden retriever lying on grass” rather than just “dog.”

    Good alt text is essential for both accessibility and SEO. Search engines can’t “see” images, but they can read alt text. By describing your images accurately, you’re helping both users and search engines understand your content better.

    Make Link Text Meaningful

    “Click here” is a common phrase you’ll see in blogs, but it’s not very helpful for accessibility or SEO. Instead, make your link text descriptive and relevant to the page it’s pointing to (per WCAG 2.4.4).

    For instance, instead of writing “Click here for more information,” you could write “Learn more about web accessibility.” This is more meaningful for readers and screen readers alike because it gives them an idea of what they’ll find when they click the link.

    Meaningful link text also helps with SEO because it gives search engines more context about the linked content. It’s another small tweak that can make a big difference in accessibility and search visibility.

    Check the Comment Form—Is It Labeled Properly?

    If you allow comments on your blog, it’s important to make sure your comment form is accessible. Many standard comment forms aren’t labeled properly, which can be a problem for people using screen readers (per WCAG 1.3.1).

    Check that each field (like “Name,” “Email,” and “Comment”) has a label that screen readers can read aloud. This will make it easier for everyone to interact with your blog, and it shows that you care about your entire audience’s experience.

    If you’re using a popular blogging platform like WordPress, there are plugins that can help ensure your forms are accessible. But it’s always a good idea to double-check that everything is labeled correctly.

    Use Flexible Font Sizes

    Another way to make your blog accessible is by using flexible font sizes. Not everyone has perfect vision, and some users may need to increase the font size to read your content comfortably (per WCAG 1.4.4).

    Make sure your blog’s text can be resized without breaking the layout or making the page hard to navigate. You can do this by using relative units like “em” or percentages instead of fixed pixel sizes. This way, readers can adjust the font size according to their preferences.

    In addition, choose fonts that are easy to read. Avoid overly decorative fonts and make sure there’s enough contrast between your text and background.

    Put Your Blogroll on the Right-Hand Side

    Placing your blogroll or navigation bar on the right-hand side of the page can improve accessibility. Many users with screen readers or keyboard navigation tools scan content from left to right. By placing the most important content (your actual blog post) on the left side and your blogroll or other navigation elements on the right, you make it easier for people to access what they came for (per WCAG 2.4.3).

    It’s a small change, but it can significantly enhance the usability of your blog for people using assistive technology.

    Conclusion

    Making your blog accessible isn’t just about being inclusive—it also helps with SEO and makes your site easier to use. By using clear headings, adding alt text to images, writing simply, and making sure your site is easy to navigate, you’ll make your blog better for everyone.

    Accessibility can be simple. With a few easy updates, you can make your blog a welcoming place for everyone, including people with disabilities. Not only will this improve your SEO and grow your audience, but it will also make your site more user-friendly.

    If you’re unsure where to start or want to make sure you’re on the right track, schedule an ADA briefing with 216digital. We’re here to help you make your blog accessible and successful!

    Greg McNeil

    September 5, 2024
    How-to Guides
    Content Writing, digital accessibility, How-to, SEO, Web Accessibility
  • Content Writing: Taking Miva Design To The Next Level

    Content Writing: Taking Miva Design To The Next Level

    Completing The Miva Design Picture with SEO Content Writing

    So you have a killer Miva design for your online store. You’re ready to sell your great niche products to a hungry market. You’ve heard about SEO (search engine optimization). You don’t know quite how to do it, but you hope to pop up on the first page of Google someday. You keep checking, but your competitors are bumping you down to the 4th, 5th, even the 6th page of search results. What’s going on? Why aren’t your niche customers flocking to your great Miva design?

    Miva Design: A Skeleton In Need of Flesh and Blood

    Don’t let me confuse you: mobile responsive design is critical to the success of any online store, but it’s only part of the picture. Think of a great Miva design as the skeleton on which you’ll hang the healthy, athletic body you’re building. One critical component of that body is your store’s products. Okay, you’ve got that covered. But the final element—and the most difficult to master—is engaging, well-written content.

    The doomsday predictions on increasing web use and decreasing literacy have turned out wrong. If anything, the web has all of us reading more than ever. It’s not how much we read that’s changing—but what we read, and how we read it. Tapping into this knowledge and using it strategically in your content writing is critical to engaging your customers—which, by the way, is critical in SEO.

    People search the web for everything imaginable. As this article from Search Engine Land explains, people use Google not only to find specific websites, to get information, and to buy things, but also to delve deeper into a topic for which they have only basic knowledge.

    Engaging, Useful Content: The New SEO Rocket Fuel

    How can content improve your business’s SEO? That depends on what you’re selling. Take a step back and look at your market. Most markets that can support online stores also have knowledge and entertainment angles that businesses can leverage into blog posts.
    Think about it: the only transaction you make without needing further information is your regular grocery shopping. You always get the same kind of toothpaste. You buy whatever toilet paper is on sale. This kind of market—which sells simple, cheap commodities that everyone needs—doesn’t have much of a content angle to it. But niche markets, which sell specialty products to a base of avid enthusiasts, are another story entirely!
    Let’s look at it from the user’s perspective. (By the way, that’s the first rule in content writing!) Say you’re a car enthusiast. You just bought a car for customizing, and you’re joining a passionate community who modify this make of car. You’ve customized other cars, but you know very little about the specifics of this model. You want to learn about common modifications, inherent design strengths and weaknesses, and possible pitfalls before you start taking things apart. You google something like, “X model powertrain customization.” You find a great blog post at SomeKindOfCar.com/blog that explains not only the basic characteristics of the stock powertrain in your car, but some of the most popular mods to the powertrain. The post has a few links in it leading to the aftermarket car parts you’ll need for these mods. You buy the parts, noticing that the online store lives at the same URL—SomeKindOfCar.com.
    Guess what? The folks at SomeKindOfCar.com just sold you the exact parts you wanted, using SEO-guided content writing.

    Leveraging Content Writing for SEO

    Writing great content to improve your business’s SEO takes more than an ear for language and a deep knowledge of your products. A good SEO content writer couples three things together: the artistic ability to write with power and precision, the technical knowledge of the subject matter, and a strategic SEO vision derived from detailed keyword analytics tools.

    Good SEO writing isn’t just search engine food. It isn’t a poetry contest, either. It hangs squarely between best technical practices, informative coverage, and engaging style.

    That’s a demanding list to hit. Many businesses can cover one or two of these requirements in-house, but not all three. If you can’t hit all three of these with your existing staff, consider outsourcing your writing to a dedicated SEO content writing team.

    At 216digital, our content writing team researches every client’s market for topics, style, and voice. We analyze our clients’ existing writing on landing pages and blog posts (if a blog exists). We formulate recommendations for improving landing page copy, and we watch these changes jack that page up in Google search. Through consistent communication, we nail down a blog voice for each client. Then we crank out informative, well-written posts day after day—all of it strategically informed by our extensive suite of keyword analytics tools.

    If you’re ready to watch your site leap through page rank, get in touch with our SEO content writing team today. We’d love to start talking about your next big thing.

    Greg McNeil

    June 12, 2015
    SEO
    Content Writing, Digital Marketing, Miva Design, SEO
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