Website Accessibility Checklist for Dorset Businesses 2025

Ultimate Website Accessibility Checklist for Dorset Businesses in 2025

Making your website accessible is more than just a legal requirement—it’s a strategic move that opens doors to a broader audience while significantly improving user experience (UX). For businesses in Dorset, from the bustling startups of Bournemouth to the family-run retailers in Poole, prioritizing accessibility can set you apart in an increasingly competitive digital landscape. By ensuring your website meets modern accessibility standards, such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), you’re not only complying with UK regulations but also enhancing your brand’s reputation and reach.

Why Accessibility Matters for Local Dorset Businesses

In the UK, more than 14 million people live with some form of disability, ranging from visual impairments and hearing loss to motor difficulties and cognitive challenges. For many of these individuals, an accessible website is their primary gateway to interacting with businesses online—whether they’re shopping for local products, booking services, or researching information. For Dorset businesses, this represents a substantial and often overlooked market segment. Consider a visually impaired resident in Weymouth who relies on a screen reader to browse your site or a motor-impaired customer in Dorchester who navigates using only a keyboard. If your website isn’t accessible, you’re unintentionally excluding these potential customers—and their networks—from engaging with your business.

Beyond the ethical and customer-focused reasons, accessibility also aligns with practical business goals. Search engines like Google increasingly favour websites that prioritise UX, and accessibility improvements often overlap with SEO best practices. For example, adding alt text to images not only aids screen readers but also boosts your site’s visibility in image searches. For Dorset businesses aiming to stand out in a crowded online market, this dual benefit is invaluable.

Key Accessibility Steps for Dorset Websites

Implementing accessibility doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Here’s a practical checklist tailored to Dorset businesses looking to enhance their websites in 2025:

• Text Contrast: Ensure all text stands out clearly against its background with a minimum contrast ratio of 4.5:1, as outlined in WCAG 2.1. For instance, a Dorset café’s site with white text on a light yellow background might look stylish but could be unreadable for users with low vision.
• Alt Text: Add descriptive alternative text to every image. For example, a photo of a Dorset coastline on a tourism site could use alt text like “Aerial view of Durdle Door rock formation on a sunny day” to aid screen reader users.
• Keyboard Navigation: Verify that all interactive elements—like buttons, forms, and menus—can be accessed and operated using only a keyboard. This is crucial for users who can’t use a mouse, such as those with mobility impairments.
• Readable Fonts: Opt for font sizes of at least 16px and avoid overly decorative typography. A Dorset artisan shop’s website, for instance, should prioritise clarity over flair to ensure all visitors can read product descriptions easily.
• Video Captions: Include captions on all video content, such as promotional clips or tutorials. A Poole-based fitness studio could caption workout videos to make them accessible to customers with hearing impairments.

Accessibility Testing Tools

To ensure your website meets these standards, take advantage of free, user-friendly tools that provide actionable insights:

• Google Lighthouse: Available within Chrome’s Developer Tools, this tool generates a detailed accessibility report in minutes, highlighting areas for improvement.
• WAVE Tool: Visit wave.webaim.org to get a visual breakdown of accessibility errors, such as missing alt text or low contrast.
• Screen Reader Test: Use NVDA (Windows) or VoiceOver (Mac) to experience your site as a screen reader user would, ensuring all content is conveyed effectively.

For a Dorset business owner with limited technical expertise, these tools are a great starting point to identify and fix issues without needing a developer right away.

Local Business Benefits

By adopting these accessibility practices, Dorset businesses can unlock a range of advantages:

• Expand Customer Reach: Tap into the millions of UK residents with disabilities, plus their families and friends, who value inclusive businesses.
• Improve Search Engine Rankings: Accessibility enhancements like structured content and alt text align with SEO strategies, boosting your visibility online.
• Demonstrate Social Responsibility: Show your commitment to the Dorset community by making your digital presence welcoming to all.
• Reduce Potential Legal Risks: Stay ahead of UK accessibility laws, avoiding fines or lawsuits that could arise from non-compliance.

For example, a Bournemouth hotel that improves its website accessibility might attract more bookings from disabled travelers visiting the coast, while a Dorchester bakery could see increased local loyalty by showcasing its inclusivity efforts.