In this episode, Jules White is joined by Rachel Mess from the Inclusive Design Company for a conversation about website accessibility and why it matters for both users and search visibility.

They explore the strong overlap between accessibility and SEO, and how simple website improvements can make your site easier to use for everyone. From heading structures and font sizes to colour contrast and image descriptions, Jules and Rachel share practical ways to start making your website more accessible without needing a full redesign.

Rachel explains how accessibility helps people with visual impairments, learning differences, or mobility challenges use websites more easily, while Jules highlights how many of the same improvements also help search engines understand your site.

If you’ve ever wondered whether your website is easy for people to use, or if you want to improve both accessibility and SEO at the same time, this episode offers a practical place to start.

Key Takeaways:

• Accessibility and SEO often overlap: Many of the same improvements that help search engines understand your website also make it easier for people to use.
• Heading structure matters: Using clear H1, H2 and H3 headings helps both search engines & screen readers understand your page hierarchy.
• Colour contrast is essential: Poor contrast between text and background colours can make websites difficult to read for many users.
• Font size affects usability: Small font sizes can create barriers for visitors, especially on mobile devices.
• Image descriptions matter: Adding alt text helps screen readers describe images & can also support your website’s visibility in search results.
• Small improvements can make a big difference: Fixing headings, contrast levels, & image descriptions are simple actions that improve usability for everyone.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Use the AIOSEO Chrome plugin to check your website’s heading structure & image alt text
• Check your site with Google PageSpeed Insights accessibility testing tool
• Rachel’s Inclusive Design accessibility checklist for small business websites
• Visit Rachel Mess at The Inclusive Design Company website to learn more about accessibility

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