Web Accessibility & WCAG 2.2: A Practical Guide for SMEs
Webbirth, a professional web development company in Bangalore, works with growing businesses to build structured, high-performing websites. One critical aspect that many SMEs overlook during development is web accessibility.
Web accessibility ensures that websites are usable by individuals with different functional limitations, while also improving usability, SEO performance, and technical quality. With the release of WCAG 2.2, businesses now have clearer guidelines to follow when building accessible digital platforms.
What is Web Accessibility?
Web accessibility refers to designing and developing digital content so that it can be accessed and used by a wide range of users, including those who rely on assistive technologies.
Accessibility focuses on removing technical barriers that may prevent users from:
- Reading website content
- Navigating through pages
- Submitting forms
- Accessing multimedia
It improves overall website structure and ensures content is usable across devices and technologies.
Understanding WCAG 2.2
WCAG 2.2 (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) is the latest version of global accessibility standards. These guidelines provide measurable criteria to ensure digital content meets accessibility expectations.
WCAG is built around four core principles:
- Perceivable – Content must be presented in ways users can recognize.
- Operable – Users must be able to navigate and interact.
- Understandable – Information and navigation must be clear.
- Robust – Content must work across browsers, devices, and assistive tools.
For SMEs, following these standards ensures better usability and long-term compliance readiness.
Why Accessibility Matters for Small and Medium Businesses
Many small businesses focus on design, performance, and marketing but overlook accessibility during development.
However, implementing accessibility standards offers several advantages:
- Improved search engine visibility
- Better user engagement
- Reduced risk of compliance issues
- Stronger brand credibility
- Wider audience reach
Search engines favour well-structured content, proper heading hierarchy, descriptive alt text, and logical navigation all of which align with accessibility best practices. When choosing a website development company in Bangalore, accessibility expertise should be part of the evaluation process.
Key WCAG 2.2 Practices SMEs Should Follow
Below are essential accessibility practices that improve both compliance and usability.
- Structured Headings and Clean Code
Use semantic HTML and maintain a proper heading hierarchy (H1, H2, H3). This improves readability and search engine crawlability.
- Meaningful Alternative Text
All informative images should include clear alt descriptions.
- Keyboard Accessibility
Users should be able to navigate the website using only a keyboard.
- Clear Color Contrast
Text must have sufficient contrast against its background for readability.
- Accessible Forms
Each form field should have a visible label and clear error instructions.
- Multimedia Accessibility
Videos should include captions. Audio content should provide transcripts.
Accessibility and Website Development in Bangalore
As digital competition grows, businesses often search for the best web development company Bangalore or experienced web developers in Bangalore. While design and performance are important, accessibility integration is equally critical.
A reliable website design company Bangalore should ensure:
- Accessibility testing during development
- Structured content formatting
- Responsive design
- SEO-aligned coding standards
Accessibility should not be added after development; it should be integrated from the initial planning stage.
Conducting an Accessibility Audit
An accessibility audit evaluates whether a website meets WCAG standards.
SMEs should consider conducting an audit:
- After launching a new website
- During a redesign
- Before expanding to international markets
- When updating major features
Audits help identify gaps and prioritise improvements.
How Webbirth Approaches Accessible Website Development
Webbirth integrates accessibility principles into every stage of website development. Instead of treating accessibility as a separate checklist, it is built into:
- UI/UX planning
- Frontend development
- Content structuring
- Performance optimisation
This structured approach ensures that websites are usable, compliant, and optimised for search performance.
What Makes Webbirth Different?
Many companies position themselves as the best web development company in Bangalore. What differentiates Webbirth is its structured approach to combining accessibility, performance, and SEO into a single development framework.
Instead of focusing only on visual design, Webbirth prioritises usability, compliance alignment, and long-term scalability, ensuring SMEs receive websites that are not only visually appealing but also technically sound and accessible.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. What is WCAG 2.2 compliance?
WCAG 2.2 compliance means a website follows the latest accessibility standards set by W3C to ensure content is accessible to a broad range of users.
2. Is web accessibility legally required?
Legal requirements vary by country, but accessibility compliance is increasingly becoming mandatory in many regions.
3. Does accessibility improve SEO?
Yes. Accessible websites typically have better structure, clean code, and improved navigation, which supports search engine indexing.
4. How long does it take to implement WCAG standards?
The timeline depends on website size and complexity. Integrating accessibility during development is more efficient than retrofitting later.
5. Can an existing website be made accessible?
Yes. Through auditing and remediation, most websites can be updated to meet accessibility standards.