Website Accessibility Audit: Step-by-Step WCAG Compliance Guide for Designers

Introduction

Website accessibility isn't just about compliance—it's about creating digital experiences that work for everyone. With 1 in 4 adults living with a disability and accessibility lawsuits increasing by 320% in recent years, accessibility has become both a moral imperative and a business necessity. Yet 96% of websites still fail basic accessibility standards.

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Introduction

Website accessibility isn't just about compliance—it's about creating digital experiences that work for everyone. With 1 in 4 adults living with a disability and accessibility lawsuits increasing by 320% in recent years, accessibility has become both a moral imperative and a business necessity. Yet 96% of websites still fail basic accessibility standards.

At Harissa Studio, we've conducted accessibility audits for 120+ websites, helping companies not only achieve WCAG compliance but improve their overall user experience and business outcomes. This comprehensive guide will walk you through our proven methodology for conducting thorough accessibility audits.

Understanding WCAG: The Foundation of Web Accessibility

The Four Principles of WCAG

1. Perceivable - Information must be presentable in ways users can perceive
2. Operable - Interface components must be operable by all users
3. Understandable - Information and UI operation must be understandable
4. Robust - Content must work with various assistive technologies

WCAG Conformance Levels

Level A: Basic accessibility features
Level AA: Industry standard for legal compliance
Level AAA: Highest level for specialized sites

Most organizations should target Level AA compliance.

The Complete Accessibility Audit Process

Phase 1: Automated Testing (30 minutes per page)

Essential Tools:

• axe DevTools: Comprehensive automated testing
• Lighthouse: Built-in Chrome accessibility audit
• WAVE: Visual accessibility evaluation

Testing Steps:

1. Run axe DevTools scan and categorize issues
2. Perform Lighthouse accessibility audit
3. Use WAVE for visual issue identification
4. Document all findings for manual review

Phase 2: Manual Testing (45-60 minutes per page)

Keyboard Navigation Testing:

• Navigate entire page using only Tab key
• Verify focus indicators are clearly visible
• Check logical tab order follows visual layout
• Ensure no keyboard traps exist
• Test all functionality works without mouse

Screen Reader Testing:

• Test page structure navigation (headings, landmarks)
• Verify links make sense out of context
• Check form label associations and error messages
• Review image alt text quality
• Test dynamic content announcements

Phase 3: Color and Visual Testing

Color Contrast Analysis:

• Test all text against backgrounds (4.5:1 ratio minimum)
• Check interactive elements meet contrast requirements
• Verify focus indicators are sufficiently visible
• Test readability at 400% zoom level

Case Study: E-commerce Accessibility Transformation

Client Challenge

Company: Mid-size online retailer
Problem: Accessibility lawsuit and 40% user completion barriers
Initial State: Major barriers in search, checkout, and account areas

Results After Implementation

• Accessibility Score: 45% to 94% WCAG Level AA compliance
• User Experience: 60% reduction in usability support tickets
• Business Impact: 35% increase in conversion rate for users with disabilities
• Legal Resolution: Successful lawsuit resolution

Common Accessibility Issues and Solutions

Images and Media

Issue: Missing or poor alternative text
Solution: Provide descriptive alt text that conveys purpose and content

Alt Text Guidelines:

• Informative images: Describe content and context
• Decorative images: Use empty alt text (alt="")
• Functional images: Describe function, not appearance

Forms and Interactive Elements

Issue: Form fields without proper labels
Solution: Associate labels with form controls and provide clear error messages

Form Accessibility Checklist:

• All form fields have associated labels
• Required fields are clearly marked
• Error messages are descriptive and helpful
• Form validation works with assistive technologies

Navigation and Structure

Issue: Poor heading structure and unclear navigation
Solution: Use semantic HTML and logical heading hierarchy

Best Practices:

• Use proper heading structure (H1, H2, H3)
• Provide skip navigation links
• Use landmark regions consistently
• Ensure navigation consistency across pages

Creating Actionable Audit Reports

Report Structure

Executive Summary:

• Overall accessibility score and compliance level
• Issues categorized by severity (critical, major, minor)
• Business impact and legal risk assessment
• High-level recommendations and timeline

Implementation Roadmap:

• Issues prioritized by impact and implementation effort
• Suggested remediation timeline
• Resource requirements and team responsibilities
• Testing and validation procedures

Testing with Real Users

Automated testing can't replace feedback from actual users with disabilities:

User Testing Best Practices:

• Recruit users with various disabilities and assistive technologies
• Test real-world tasks, not just navigation
• Allow extra time and provide appropriate support
• Focus on task completion and overall user experience

Ongoing Monitoring and Maintenance

Accessibility requires continuous attention:

Regular Testing Schedule:

• Monthly: Automated scans of critical pages
• Quarterly: Manual testing of key user journeys
• Annually: Comprehensive site-wide audit
• Pre-deployment: Accessibility testing before releases

Team Education:

• Designer training on accessible design principles
• Developer education on semantic HTML and ARIA
• Content creator guidelines for accessible content
• QA processes that include accessibility verification

Business Benefits Beyond Compliance

The Business Case for Accessibility

Market Expansion:

• Access to $13 trillion global disability market
• Improved usability benefits all users
• Better SEO through semantic HTML structure
• Reduced customer support costs

Brand and Risk Management:

• Demonstrates commitment to inclusion
• Reduces legal risk and potential lawsuit costs
• Improves customer satisfaction and loyalty
• Attracts inclusive-minded talent and customers

Implementation Planning

Building Your Accessibility Program

Team Structure:

• Accessibility Champion: Dedicated point person
• Design Integration: Accessibility checkpoints in design process
• Development Standards: Coding guidelines and review procedures
• Testing Protocols: Regular testing schedules and methodologies

Budget Considerations:

• Initial Audit: $5,000-$15,000 for comprehensive evaluation
• Remediation: $10,000-$50,000 depending on scope
• Ongoing Maintenance: 5-10% of development budget
• Training and Tools: $2,000-$5,000 annually per team member

Conclusion: Accessibility as Competitive Advantage

Website accessibility isn't just about legal compliance—it's about creating better experiences for everyone. By following this comprehensive audit methodology, you'll achieve WCAG compliance while improving usability, expanding your market reach, and demonstrating your commitment to inclusion.

The most successful companies view accessibility as a competitive advantage, not a burden. Accessible websites perform better in search engines, have lower support costs, reach larger audiences, and create positive brand associations that drive customer loyalty.

Ready to make your website accessible to everyone? At Harissa Studio, we specialize in comprehensive accessibility audits that improve both compliance and user experience. Our proven methodology has helped 120+ companies achieve WCAG Level AA compliance while enhancing their business outcomes. Contact us to discuss how we can help you create digital experiences that truly work for everyone.