Web accessibility and SEO are more connected than you might think. Making your website easier to use doesn’t just help people - it also helps you get found online. In this guide, I’ll walk through how improving your website’s accessibility can strengthen your SEO and why that’s a smart move for small businesses.
Accessible websites tend to rank higher in Google search because they offer a better user experience.
Features like image alt text, clear headings, and readable layouts help both users and search engines understand your content.
A mobile-friendly design is essential for SEO, as most people now browse on smartphones.
Meeting accessibility standards reduces legal risk and ensures your site works for everyone - including people with disabilities.
Improving accessibility is not just ethical; it’s also good for visibility, engagement, and traffic.
Search engine optimisation helps your website show up in search results, driving more traffic to your business. Accessibility ensures that all users - including those with visual, hearing, cognitive, or motor impairments - can easily navigate and interact with your site.
While SEO and accessibility may seem like different goals, they actually support each other. When your website is easier to use and understand, everyone benefits - visitors, search engines, and ultimately, your business.
Let’s break it down.
Search engines like Google prioritise websites that offer a strong user experience. When your site is easy to navigate, clearly structured, and quick to load, users stick around longer - and search engines notice.
Adding accessibility features, like descriptive alt text and well-labelled headings, gives Google more context about your content. This improves your chances of ranking well in search.
When people find your site easy to use - especially those with disabilities - they’re more likely to stay, click, and return. This increased engagement tells search engines your site is helpful, which can improve your SEO performance.
Accessible websites welcome all users. That includes people using screen readers, those with limited mobility, or people browsing on older devices or slower connections. A more inclusive site reaches more potential customers and signals quality to search engines.
In Ireland, businesses are expected to provide equal access to digital content. This includes compliance with accessibility standards like WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines). Ignoring these requirements can lead to reputational damage or even legal challenges.
But compliance isn’t just about risk. It’s also about doing right by your customers - and boosting your visibility online.
Let’s explore the design features that serve both accessibility and SEO.
A clean, simple layout with intuitive navigation benefits everyone. Use clear fonts, strong colour contrast, and mobile-responsive design to create a seamless experience. The easier it is to explore your site, the more likely people - and search engines - will stick around.
Alt text describes what an image shows. It’s vital for users who rely on screen readers and equally helpful for search engines, which can’t "see" images. Including specific, relevant alt text improves both accessibility and your chances of ranking for image-based search queries.
Example: Instead of “image1.jpg,” write “Electrician installing ceiling light in Dublin home.”
Title tags tell search engines - and users - what each page is about. Meta descriptions summarise the page content. Both appear in search results, so writing them clearly and accurately improves your click-through rate and helps search engines index your pages correctly.
Headings break up your content into manageable sections, making it easier to scan and understand. Use a logical hierarchy (H1 for main headings, H2s for subheadings, and so on). This helps screen readers navigate the page and signals content importance to search engines.
With mobile traffic surpassing desktop, Google uses mobile-first indexing to rank websites. A mobile-optimised site - fast, responsive, and touch-friendly - isn’t just a nice-to-have anymore. It’s essential for both accessibility and SEO.
Not everyone can listen to your videos. Providing transcripts and captions makes video content accessible to all users - and it gives search engines extra content to index, which can improve visibility.
Breadcrumb navigation shows users their path through your site (e.g. Home > Services > SEO). It improves navigation for users and helps search engines understand your site structure. This can improve how your pages appear in search results.
Anchor text - the clickable words in a link - should clearly describe where the link goes. Avoid vague terms like “click here.” Use descriptive phrases like “view our SEO pricing packages.” This makes navigation easier and gives search engines more context.
For small business owners in Ireland, investing in accessibility can deliver real results:
Sites that are easy to use, mobile-optimised, and rich in descriptive content tend to rank higher. Accessibility improvements enhance all of these areas, making your website more competitive in search.
An accessible website helps every visitor, not just those with disabilities. A smooth, intuitive experience encourages people to stay longer, explore your offerings, and convert.
Following accessibility guidelines helps you stay on the right side of Irish and EU regulations. It also demonstrates a commitment to inclusion, which can strengthen your reputation and customer trust.
You don’t need to overhaul your whole site overnight. Start with these steps to make meaningful improvements:
Use a content management system (CMS) that supports accessibility best practices. Platforms like WordPress or Webflow offer themes and plugins designed with accessibility in mind.
Make sure all images on your site have meaningful, descriptive alt text. Don’t keyword stuff - just describe the image accurately.
Use headings to organise your content logically. Break long sections into smaller chunks. Use bullet points for clarity and white space for readability.
Avoid vague links like “click here.” Instead, say what the link does - like “Download our digital marketing guide.”
Tools like WAVE, Lighthouse, and axe DevTools can audit your site and flag accessibility issues. Run regular checks and fix issues as they come up.
Accessible websites are easier for search engines to crawl and index. Features like alt text, structured content, and fast load times improve user experience, which in turn boosts search rankings.
A mobile-friendly website ensures that users can access your content easily from any device. Google prioritises mobile-optimised sites in its rankings, and users expect fast, functional mobile browsing.
While there are no guarantees, accessibility improvements tend to lead to better engagement, lower bounce rates, and more time on site - all positive signals for SEO.
Start with alt text, proper heading structure, and testing your site with accessibility tools. Focus on one area at a time, and keep improving.
If you want to make your site easier to use and easier to find, we can help. Whether you're just starting out or ready to take your SEO to the next level, book a free 30-minute consultation and let’s talk about what’s possible for your business.