How long does it take to make a website accessible?

An accessibility statement and the common fixes can be completed within a few days. More complex fixes, such as structural or deep code changes, may take additional time depending on the state of the site.

Can I make a website accessible myself?

Some actions, such as adding alternative text to images or fixing contrast, can be done yourself. Others, such as correct keyboard navigation or semantic structure, usually require technical knowledge or professional support.

What comes first, the check or the fix?

Always start with a check. Without knowing which failures exist you cannot prioritize fixes. An automated check gives a first snapshot within minutes, and from there you build a work plan.

How to make a website accessible step by step, a practical guide for business owners

Making a website accessible sounds like a daunting task, but once you break it into steps it becomes an orderly, clear process. There is no need to do everything at once. This guide presents the four steps every business goes through on the way to better accessibility, and what happens in each one.

Step 1: Check

Before touching a single line of code, you need to know the state of the site. An automated accessibility check scans the pages and detects a large share of the common failures within minutes: missing contrast, images without alternative text, forms without labels, and more. This is the starting point that shapes everything else.

The automated check covers some of the requirements, but not all. Requirements such as the logic of the navigation order or the quality of the alternative text also need a human eye.

Step 2: Fix

Now you prioritize and fix. Some fixes are simple and quick to implement:

Adding alternative text (alt) to informative images.
Fixing color contrast between text and background.
Adding clear labels to form fields.
Giving buttons and links meaningful names.

Other fixes, such as ensuring full keyboard navigation or correcting heading structure, usually require technical knowledge.

Step 3: Accessibility statement

The accessibility statement is a document that details the site's level of accessibility, what was made accessible, and the contact or coordinator details where required. It is the most conspicuous gap on unremediated sites and also the simplest to fix. An accurate Regulation 35-based statement is usually a first step that reduces legal exposure.

Step 4: Maintenance

Accessibility is not a one-off project. Every time you add a page, an image, or a form, you need to make sure they are accessible too. An accessibility widget and periodic checks help keep the level over time.

Where to start

The first practical step is always the same: a check. Run an accessibility check on the site, get a clear snapshot of the failures, and from there build a work plan following the order of priority described here.