You might think your website is easy to use, but the data suggests otherwise. A recent survey found that 69% of internet users with disabilities immediately leave websites that are hard to navigate. They don’t complain; they just click away and go to a competitor.
For small and medium businesses, this is a massive leak in your sales funnel.
Making your digital presence “accessible” isn’t just about following the law (though the ADA does matter). It is about ensuring every potential customer—regardless of how they see, hear, or move—can actually buy your product. Here is how to fix your site and documents.
Stop Assuming Everyone Uses a Mouse
The biggest mistake business owners make is assuming every visitor navigates the way they do. Many people cannot use a mouse. They rely on keyboards to tab through links, or they use screen readers that speak the text aloud.
The Test: Unplug your mouse. Can you navigate your entire website using only the Tab and Enter keys? If you get stuck, your site is broken for millions of users. You need to ensure all forms, buttons, and links work with keyboard commands alone.
Fix Your Visuals (Contrast Matters)
A popular design trend involves using light gray text on a white background. It looks sleek, but it is a nightmare for people with low vision or color blindness. If your text doesn’t stand out against the background, people can’t read it.
The Rule: You need a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for standard text. You don’t need to guess; use free tools like the WebAIM Contrast Checker to verify your colors.
The Problem with PDFs
Many businesses upload menus, flyers, or contracts as PDFs. If you simply scan a piece of paper and upload it, a screen reader sees it as a blank image. It cannot read the text to a blind user.
When you create a PDF or Word doc:
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Use “Tags”: This adds structure (like Headings and Paragraphs) that computers can read.
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Add Alt Text: Every image needs a description.
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Check Order: Ensure the document reads in a logical order, not just top-to-bottom.
Write for Clarity, Not Style
Complex layouts and fancy fonts create barriers for people with cognitive disabilities. But truthfully, everyone prefers simple, clear content.
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Fonts: Stick to clean, sans-serif fonts like Arial or Verdana.
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Size: Keep body text at 14 points or larger.
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Style: Avoid using ALL CAPS or Italics for long blocks of text. They are much harder for the brain to process.
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Language: Use plain English. Short sentences and clear subheadings help everyone find what they need faster.
Don’t Forget Audio and Video
If you use video marketing, you must include captions. This helps deaf or hard-of-hearing users, but it also helps the 85% of people who scroll through social media with the sound off.
If you have a podcast or audio files, provide a text transcript. This allows everyone to access the information and gives you a bonus SEO boost since search engines can crawl the text.
Accessibility is Good Business
Viewing accessibility as a chore is the wrong approach. It is an investment in your brand. An accessible website shows that your business is professional, inclusive, and thoughtful. It protects you from legal risks and widens your customer base.
We Can Help You Fix This
Making a website fully accessible involves technical details—from HTML tags to color codes—that can be overwhelming for a business owner. You don’t have to figure it out alone.
CyberShield Technology Solutions helps businesses build digital environments that work for everyone. We can audit your site, fix the gaps, and ensure you aren’t shutting the door on potential customers.
Ready to make your business accessible to all? Visit us at https://cybershieldms.com to get started.