Website Accessibility Testing: A Practical Checklist

Website accessibility testing checks whether people with visual, hearing, motor or cognitive differences can use your site. It also improves usability for everyone, such as someone on a bright street using one hand. If you are new to the topic, start with accessible web design basics.

Why test

• More people can use and buy from your site.
• Clean structure often helps SEO.
• It reduces the risk of costly fixes after launch.

Automated tools catch only part of the issues, so combine several methods.

Step 1: Run an automated scan

Free tools such as browser extensions and Lighthouse in Chrome can flag missing alt text, low contrast, empty links and missing form labels. Treat the report as a starting list, not proof that the site is accessible.

Step 2: Test with the keyboard only

Put the mouse aside and use Tab, Shift+Tab, Enter and Space.

1. Can you reach every link, button and form field?
2. Is the focus outline always visible?
3. Is the tab order logical?
4. Can you open and close menus, pop-ups and modals without a mouse?
5. Is there a "skip to content" link?

Step 3: Check headings and structure

Each page should have one main heading and a logical order of subheadings. Screen reader users often jump between headings to scan a page.

Step 4: Check colour and text

• Test text and button contrast with a contrast checker.
• Never rely on colour alone to show errors or required fields.
• Make sure text can be enlarged without breaking the layout.

Step 5: Review images, media and forms

• Informative images need clear alt text; decorative ones should have empty alt.
• Videos should have captions.
• Every form field needs a visible label and a helpful error message. See website forms conversion for good form practice.

Step 6: Try a screen reader

Use a built-in or free screen reader, such as NVDA on Windows or VoiceOver on Apple devices, and listen to a key page. Notice if buttons are announced meaningfully and if the reading order makes sense.

Step 7: Test on mobile

Check touch target size, zoom and orientation. Pair this with mobile-friendly website design tips.

Hypothetical example

A local training institute scans its enquiry page. The tool flags missing form labels. A keyboard test shows the "Submit" button cannot receive focus because of a custom script. Both fixes take under an hour and make the form usable for more visitors.

Make it routine

Test templates before launch, after redesigns and whenever you add new components. Where possible, include people with disabilities in user testing.