6 Simple Accessibility Fixes That Help Small and Medium-Sized Businesses Reach More Customers

Accessibility problems rarely announce themselves. They show up quietly, in the form of a customer who can’t complete a purchase, a reader who abandons a page, or a form that never gets submitted. For small and medium-sized businesses, these moments often go unnoticed, even though they happen every day.

According to AudioEye’s 2025 Digital Accessibility Index(opens in a new tab) (DAI), the average webpage contains nearly 300 accessibility issues. Many of those issues appear on small and medium-size business websites just as often as they do on enterprise platforms.

The encouraging part is that the most common accessibility problems are also the most fixable. They don’t require a full redesign or deep technical expertise. In many cases, they require attention to basics that can be addressed quickly and incrementally.

Here are six easy accessibility fixes that small and medium-sized businesses can start working on immediately, with real impact.

1. Write Alt Text That Actually Explains What an Image Is Doing

Images that communicate information or prompt action need text alternatives. Product photos, promotional banners, icons used as buttons, and graphics that explain data should all include alt text that describes what the image shows and why it matters.

Across the web, missing or ineffective alt text remains one of the most common accessibility issues flagged. When alt text is absent or vague, people who use screen readers lose access to information that others receive instantly.

A good starting point is to review high-traffic pages and focus on images that influence understanding or decision-making. If an image affects what a user does next, its description should clearly convey that purpose.

2. Make Text Easier to Read by Improving Color Contrast

Text should stand out clearly from its background. When contrast is too low, content becomes difficult to read for people with low vision, colorblindness, or anyone viewing a screen under challenging conditions.

Color contrast issues show up frequently on business websites, especially when branding favors lighter tones or subtle color combinations. While these choices may look clean, they often reduce readability and make important content harder to absorb.

Simple contrast-checking tools, including free options(opens in a new tab) available online, can help teams quickly assess whether text and background combinations meet accessibility standards and identify small adjustments that improve legibility without changing the overall design.

3. Make Your Site Usable Without a Mouse

Some people with disabilities navigate the web without a mouse, relying instead on keyboards or assistive technologies. When a site is built primarily for mouse or touch interaction, those users can quickly hit dead ends.

One way to surface issues is to navigate your site using only the tab key. Links, menus, buttons, and form fields should be reachable in a logical order, with a visible indicator showing where you are on the page. If focus disappears or skips key elements, those areas need attention.

Improving keyboard usability helps remove barriers for users with disabilities and makes sites easier to navigate for anyone using shortcuts or alternative input methods.

4. Replace Generic Link Text With Clear Actions

Link and button text should tell users what will happen next. Phrases like “Click here” or “Learn more” offer little meaning when read out of context, which is how many screen reader users navigate pages.

Clear, specific language helps users understand where a link leads and what action it triggers. Updating links to reference pricing, downloads, contact requests, or next steps improves accessibility while making content easier to scan.

When users understand their options quickly, they are more likely to engage and move forward.

5. Fix Forms So People Can Actually Complete Them

Forms are among the most common barriers to accessibility and user engagement. AudioEye’s DAI(opens in a new tab) found that more than one-third of pages scanned failed to provide clear labels or instructions for form fields.

These issues commonly affect contact forms, checkout flows, and appointment requests. When users cannot reliably complete a form, the interaction often ends there.

Review key forms to ensure every input has a visible label, requirements are clearly explained, and error messages describe what went wrong and how to fix it. These changes help ensure users can complete the actions you want them to take.

6. Publish an Accessibility Statement and Invite Feedback

An accessibility statement signals that a business takes digital accessibility seriously and is committed to continuous improvement. It does not need to be long or written in legal language.

A simple statement can explain your approach to accessibility and provide users with a straightforward way to report barriers. This feedback often reveals real-world issues that automated scans miss, particularly those related to usability and interaction.

For small and medium-sized businesses, an accessibility statement creates transparency and trust. It also gives teams a practical way to learn where users are struggling and what should be prioritized next.

Why These Fixes Matter Now

Accessibility is not just a usability issue. It is increasingly a legal and reputational one.

AudioEye’s 2026 Web Accessibility Litigation Report(opens in a new tab) shows that digital accessibility lawsuits continue to be filed in large numbers, with retail, e-commerce, hospitality, and food services among the most frequently targeted industries. Many of these claims involve small- and mid-sized businesses and focus on basic issues such as images, navigation, and forms.

At the same time, accessibility improvements benefit a far broader audience than people with permanent disabilities. Clear navigation, readable text, and usable forms improve experiences for aging users, mobile users, and anyone navigating a site quickly or under pressure.

For teams looking to build confidence, free educational resources like AudioEye’s Web Accessibility 101 course(opens in a new tab) can help explain foundational concepts without requiring technical expertise or budget approval.

Progress Beats Perfection

Accessibility does not require everything to be fixed at once. For small and medium-sized businesses, progress matters more than polish.

Fixing common issues, testing real interactions, clarifying language, and learning the basics can significantly improve how people experience your site. These changes reduce friction, build trust, and help more customers complete the actions that matter most.

Accessibility is not reserved for big brands with big budgets. It is a practical way for growing businesses to serve more people and create digital experiences that work better for everyone.