Small Business Guide: 7 Accessibility Examples You Can Follow Today
If you run a small business, your website is where many people first meet you. You want everyone to have a smooth, easy experience when they visit your site. But here’s the thing: not everyone finds websites easy to use.
Some people have disabilities that make it hard to see, hear, or use a mouse. That’s why web accessibility user testing matters. It helps your website work well for all visitors.
This blog will discuss seven real small business websites doing this right. These examples can help you make your own site better for everyone who stops by.
What Is Web Accessibility?
Web accessibility simply means designing your website so everyone can use it. That includes people who rely on screen readers, those who can’t use a mouse, or people who need large text or strong color contrast to see content. You can also check out key accessibility tests for websites to make sure your site works well for all visitors.
When you think about accessibility, you’re making sure no one gets stuck or left out when they try to explore your site.
Why Should You Care About Accessibility?
Here’s what this really means for your business. You could be missing out on a lot of customers. Around one in six people have a disability. That’s a big number. If your website is hard for them to use, they might leave frustrated.
Plus, there are laws that require businesses to avoid discrimination based on disability, including on their websites. Making your site accessible also helps with search engines like Google, so folks can find you more easily. And it just feels good to be welcoming.
1. Blue Bottle Coffee: Skip to Content Links That Work
Blue Bottle Coffee knows keyboard users need a way to skip right to the main part of the page. Their website has a “skip to content” link that pops up when you start tabbing through the site. This link isn’t always in your face; it only shows up when it’s helpful. It lets people move past menus and get straight to what they want.
Also, their headings and product photos have great text descriptions. What this means is screen readers can tell people exactly what’s on the page, making the site friendly for those who can’t see images.
2. Fort Myers Brewing Co: Bold and Clear
Fort Myers Brewing keeps it simple and bold. Their site’s text is easy to read with large fonts and colors that stand out. Menus work for people clicking with a mouse and also with a keyboard.
For example, dropdown menus open when you press Enter or Space, not just when you hover over them. This small detail matters a lot if you don’t use a mouse. Their buttons and text colors meet accessibility standards, so everything is clear and easy on your eyes.
3. Partake Foods: Inclusive from the Start
Partake Foods is all about making treats people can enjoy no matter their allergies, and their website matches that. Every page starts with a skip link for keyboard users. Their product photos include descriptions that talk about the flavor and packaging. This isn’t just a label; it’s like telling a story about what you’ll find inside the box.
At checkout, error messages are easy to understand and screen readers announce them loud and clear. So if you make a mistake, you won’t get lost. Even their soft pastel colors contrast enough to meet accessibility rules, proving you can have style and be accessible at the same time.
4. Little Seed Farm: Fast and Friendly
Little Seed Farm sells skincare products and understands that a webpage should load quickly, even on slow internet. Their homepage loads light and fast, so no one has to wait. Clickable areas, like buttons or links, are big enough for everyone to easily tap or click.
Their product descriptions go beyond just naming the item. For example, they describe a deodorant as “unscented next to lavender sprigs.” That helps people imagine the product even if they can’t see the photo clearly.
5. United By Blue: Keyboard Shortcuts and Transparency
United By Blue something neat for keyboard users: special shortcuts. You can press “M” to open menus or “H” to jump to headings. Their colors meet the highest levels of contrast, which means reading text is easy.
They also have an accessibility statement that explains all the assistive features they offer. This kind of transparency builds trust; it shows customers they care about making the site usable for everyone.
6. Charlotte’s Web CBD: Fonts and Details Matter
Charlotte's Web CBD uses large fonts and wide spacing so the text is easy to read. They include two “skip links,” one to jump right to content and another to open their accessibility tool.
Every product image has alt text that includes important info like how strong the product is. This helps visitors who use screen readers get the details they need, even without seeing the pictures.
7. Beardbrand: Accessible and Caring
After a legal challenge, Beardbrand stepped up their accessibility game. Their site starts keyboard users off with a skip link for fast navigation. They invite customers with disabilities to call or email for help, adding a personal touch you won’t find everywhere.
Small buttons and controls have thick outlines when selected, so you always know what you’re working on. It’s thoughtful design plus real care.
What This Means for You
These sites show that being accessible doesn’t have to be hard or expensive. Simple changes like skip links, good alt text, and clear fonts make a big difference.
It helps you reach more people, avoid legal troubles, and give everyone a great user experience. Plus, these accessible website examples work well on phones and tablets too.
Inclusive Web helps businesses like yours check and improve website accessibility. Starting with examples like these makes it easier to offer a site everyone can use. Your customers will thank you for it.
Have Questions?
We Are Inclusive Web
We work with our clients to simplify digital accessibility to ensure your web and digital applications are ADA compliant and accessible to all your users. If you’d like to talk about your digital accessibility, you can email us at matthew@inclusiveweb.co, leave us a note here, or schedule a call here to discuss. Let’s make the web inclusive to all!