Unlock More Customers: Make Your Preston Website Accessible to All!

 Added on 20th July 2026

Is Your Website Accidentally Turning Customers Away?

As a local business, charity, or tradesperson in Preston, you work hard to connect with your community. You want to reach as many potential customers and clients as possible, right? You probably have a fantastic website, but have you ever considered if it's truly welcoming to everyone who visits?

At Webbed Digital, we believe every Preston business deserves to thrive online. That's why we're talking about something vital, yet often overlooked: website accessibility. It's about making sure your website is usable by people of all abilities, including those with visual, hearing, motor, or cognitive impairments.

Think of it like this: your physical shop or office has a ramp for wheelchairs, or clear signage for easy navigation. Your website should offer the same level of thoughtfulness and inclusion. It’s not just about doing the right thing; it’s a smart, strategic move that can significantly expand your reach and boost your bottom line in Preston and beyond.

What Exactly is Website Accessibility?

Website accessibility means designing and developing your website so that people with disabilities can perceive, understand, navigate, and interact with it. But it goes beyond just catering to permanent disabilities.

• Visual Impairments: People who are blind or have low vision use screen readers that 'read' website content aloud. They rely on clear structure and descriptive text for images.
• Hearing Impairments: For those who are deaf or hard of hearing, video content needs captions or transcripts to be understood.
• Motor Difficulties: Some users can't use a mouse and rely solely on keyboard navigation (using the Tab key, Enter key, etc.).
• Cognitive Disabilities: People with dyslexia, ADHD, or other cognitive impairments benefit from simple, clear language, consistent navigation, and uncluttered layouts.
• Situational Disabilities: Even temporary situations can affect how someone uses your site. Imagine trying to read your website on a bright sunny day (low contrast issues), or if you've broken your arm (can't use a mouse), or are on a slow internet connection (heavy images or complex code). Accessibility helps everyone in these scenarios too!

Ultimately, a truly accessible website improves the experience for all users, making it easier for everyone in Preston to find what they need and connect with your business.

Why Accessibility is a Game-Changer for Your Preston Business

You might be thinking, "Is this really something I, a local tradesperson or charity, need to worry about?" The answer is a resounding YES! Here's why:

1. Expand Your Customer Base & Reach More People in Preston

Did you know that approximately 1 in 5 people in the UK have some form of disability? That's a significant portion of the population right here in Preston and Lancashire! By making your website accessible, you're opening your doors to a whole new segment of potential customers, clients, or donors who might otherwise be unable to use your site. Imagine the plumber who can easily book your services, or the charity donor who can navigate your donation page without frustration. This isn't just about being inclusive; it's about smart business growth.

2. Boost Your Brand Reputation and Build Trust

Showing that you care about all members of your community speaks volumes. An accessible website demonstrates your commitment to inclusivity and customer service. It builds trust and loyalty, setting you apart from competitors who might not have considered these aspects. People remember businesses that go the extra mile, and being known as an accessible, welcoming business in Preston is a powerful brand asset.

3. Improve Your Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)

Many accessibility best practices overlap directly with good SEO. For example, using descriptive alt text for images, clear heading structures, well-organised content, and clean code all help search engines like Google understand your website better. This can lead to higher rankings in local search results, meaning more people in Preston find your business when they're looking for your services.

4. Enhanced User Experience (UX) for Everyone

A website designed with accessibility in mind is inherently a better website for everyone. Clear navigation, easy-to-read text, logical layouts, and fast loading times benefit all users, regardless of their abilities. When your website is a joy to use, visitors are more likely to stay longer, explore more, and ultimately convert into a customer or client.

5. Legal & Ethical Considerations

While often associated with larger corporations, web accessibility is a legal requirement under the Equality Act 2010 in the UK. While small businesses are less likely to face legal challenges, ensuring your website is accessible protects you and reinforces your ethical standing within the community. It's about providing equal access to information and services.

Practical, Jargon-Free Steps You Can Take Today (or Ask Webbed Digital to Help With!)

Making your website accessible doesn't have to be overwhelming. Here are some actionable steps you can implement or discuss with your web developer:

1. Give Your Images Descriptive 'Alt Text'

What it is: 'Alt text' (alternative text) is a short, descriptive phrase embedded in your website's code that describes an image. Screen readers announce this text to users who can't see the image.

Why it matters: Without alt text, a visually impaired user might just hear "image" or "graphic," leaving them completely in the dark about what's being shown. Good alt text provides context and helps them understand the content.

How to do it: When you upload an image to your website, most content management systems (like WordPress) have a field for 'Alt Text'. Instead of 'IMG_4567.jpg', write something like 'Tradesperson fitting a new boiler in a Preston home' or 'Happy charity volunteers packing food parcels'. If an image is purely decorative and adds no real information, you can often leave the alt text empty (or mark it as decorative) to avoid distracting screen reader users.

2. Use Clear, Simple Language and Structure

What it is: Write your website content in plain English. Use short sentences, common words, and avoid unnecessary jargon (unless it's explained). Break up large blocks of text with headings and bullet points.

Why it matters: This helps everyone, especially those with cognitive disabilities or those for whom English isn't their first language, to understand your message quickly and easily. Clear structure also aids screen reader users in navigating your content.

How to do it: Before publishing, read your content aloud. If it sounds clunky or confusing, simplify it. Use online readability checkers if you like, but mostly, just aim for natural, conversational language. Ensure your headings (H1, H2, H3, etc.) follow a logical hierarchy, like an outline for a book.

3. Ensure Full Keyboard Navigation

What it is: Can a user navigate every part of your website – clicking links, filling out forms, opening menus – using only the Tab key, Enter key, and arrow keys, without a mouse?

Why it matters: Many users with motor impairments cannot use a mouse. A keyboard-only experience is essential for them to access your services.

How to do it: Try it yourself! Open your website, put your mouse aside, and try to navigate using only your keyboard. Can you see a clear 'focus indicator' (a highlight or border) around the element you're currently on? Can you reach all interactive elements? If not, this is a key area for improvement.

4. Prioritise Good Colour Contrast

What it is: The contrast ratio between your text colour and its background colour. Think dark text on a light background, or vice-versa.

Why it matters: Poor colour contrast makes text difficult or impossible to read for people with low vision, colour blindness, or even just those viewing your site on a bright screen.

How to do it: Avoid light grey text on a white background, or bright yellow text on a light green background. There are free online contrast checkers (like WebAIM's Contrast Checker) where you can input your colour codes and see if they pass accessibility standards. Aim for strong, readable contrast.

5. Provide Captions and Transcripts for Videos/Audio

What it is: If you use videos (e.g., a testimonial from a satisfied Preston customer, or a 'how-to' guide for your trade) or audio on your site, include accurate captions and/or a full text transcript.

Why it matters: This allows users with hearing impairments to access the information. It also benefits those in noisy environments or who prefer to consume content visually.

How to do it: YouTube automatically generates captions, but always review and edit them for accuracy. Many video hosting platforms offer captioning services. For audio, a simple text transcript below the player works wonders.

6. Use Descriptive Link Text

What it is: Instead of using vague phrases like "Click Here" or "Read More" for your links, use text that clearly describes where the link will take the user.

Why it matters: Screen reader users often jump between links on a page. If all they hear is "Click Here, Click Here, Click Here," they have no idea what each link is for. Descriptive text gives context.

How to do it: Change "Click here to download our brochure" to "Download our latest services brochure (PDF)". Or "Read More" to "Learn more about our Preston plumbing services."

7. Ensure Forms Are Accessible

What it is: All form fields (like 'Name', 'Email', 'Phone') should have visible, associated labels. Error messages should be clear, specific, and easy to understand.

Why it matters: Screen readers need labels to identify what each input field is for. Clear error messages help everyone correct mistakes without frustration.

How to do it: Your web developer should ensure forms are built with proper HTML labels. Test your contact forms by intentionally making mistakes to see how error messages are displayed.

8. Mobile-Friendliness (A Quick Recap)

While we've covered mobile-friendliness in other articles, it's worth a quick mention here. A responsive design that adapts to different screen sizes isn't just good for mobile users; it also aids accessibility. A user with low vision might zoom in significantly on a desktop, and a responsive design helps the content reflow without breaking, making it easier to read.

Tools and Resources to Help You

You don't have to be a tech wizard to start checking your site's accessibility. Here are a few helpful tools:

• Browser Extensions: Tools like the WAVE Accessibility Tool or Google's Lighthouse (built into Chrome's developer tools) can quickly scan your pages and highlight potential issues.
• Online Contrast Checkers: Websites like WebAIM Contrast Checker let you test colour combinations.
• Manual Keyboard Test: The simplest tool is your own keyboard!

These tools can give you a good starting point, but for a comprehensive review and implementation, professional help is invaluable.

Getting Started: Your Action Plan for an Accessible Preston Website

Don't feel overwhelmed by all this information. The key is to start small and make accessibility an ongoing part of your website maintenance. Here's how to begin:

1. Educate Yourself & Your Team: Share this article with anyone involved in managing your website content.
2. Start with the Basics: Focus on image alt text, clear language, and keyboard navigation first. These often provide the biggest impact.
3. Prioritise Key Pages: Begin by checking your most important pages – your homepage, contact page, service/product pages, and any forms.
4. Make it a Habit: When you add new content or images, always remember to include alt text and check for clear language.
5. Consider Professional Help: If you're unsure or want to ensure your site meets higher standards, reach out to experts.

Webbed Digital: Your Partner for Inclusive Web Design in Preston

At Webbed Digital, we're passionate about creating websites that not only look fantastic and drive leads but are also accessible to everyone in Preston and Lancashire. We can conduct an accessibility audit of your current site, identify areas for improvement, and implement the necessary changes.

If you're planning a new website, we design with accessibility in mind from day one, ensuring your business is welcoming to all potential customers from the very start. Don't let your website accidentally exclude a significant portion of your community. Make your digital presence as inclusive as your physical one.

Ready to make your website work for everyone? Contact Webbed Digital today for a friendly chat about improving your website's accessibility and expanding your reach in Preston!