Accessibility basics for small business websites

Web accessibility means making sure people can use your website regardless of how they see, hear, move, or read. It can sound like a big compliance project. For a small business site, it mostly comes down to a handful of good habits.

And it's not a niche concern. Your customers include people with low vision, color blindness, shaky hands, and older eyes — plus everyone squinting at a phone in bright sunlight.

Six habits that cover most of it

1. Readable text. Body text should be large enough to read on a phone, with strong contrast against the background. Light gray text on white is the most common problem we see.
2. Descriptive images. Every meaningful photo should have alt text — a short description that screen readers read aloud. "Finished bathroom remodel with walk-in shower" beats "IMG_4471."
3. Real links. Link text should say where it goes. "See our pricing" instead of "click here."
4. Proper headings. Use headings in order, so people using screen readers can skim the page the way sighted visitors do.
5. Usable forms. Every form field needs a visible label, not just placeholder text that disappears when you start typing.
6. Keyboard friendly. Someone should be able to reach every link and button using only the Tab key.

Phone numbers and addresses

Make your phone number a tap-to-call link, and write your address as text — not just inside an image or a map embed.

What we check

When a site moves in to Flagstage, we look for the common problems: missing alt text, low-contrast text, and unlabeled form fields. Fixes go through the same preview-and-approve process as any other change.

A realistic goal

You don't need to become an expert. Aim for a site where anyone can find your phone number, understand what you do, and send you a message. That covers most of what matters, for most of your customers.