Accessible websites that perform – for Google and the law
Starting in June 2025, Austria’s Accessibility Act will require many businesses to make their websites accessible to all users.
Why accessibility is worth it
Six strong reasons to start thinking inclusively – clear, effective, and future-proof.
User-friendly for everyone
Accessible websites offer clarity, structure, and intuitive navigation – for people with and without disabilities. When your content is easy to understand and interact with, it reduces frustration and improves usability across all devices.
Strong for search engines
Accessible websites are often technically clean, well structured, and clear in their content – exactly what search engines value. Focusing on accessibility automatically improves many SEO-relevant areas such as site structure, content quality, and loading times. You can learn more in our SEO & Content glossary.
Strong on small screens
Accessibility matters on the go. A well-designed accessible site works smoothly on smartphones – readable, structured, and fully usable without zooming or guesswork. It enhances both experience and perception.
Act early – stay compliant
From June 2025, new legal requirements for digital accessibility will apply in Austria. Taking action early helps you avoid issues later – and shows your users that you take inclusion seriously.
Easy to maintain & clearly structured
Accessible websites are not only easier to use, but also easier to maintain. Structured content and clear information architecture help editorial teams review, update, and keep content consistent over time. Learn more in our structured data glossary.
Privacy-first by design
To us, accessibility includes protecting user data. That’s why we rely on local tools and avoid unnecessary cloud services. The result: a GDPR-compliant website where your data stays where it belongs.
Implement accessibility the right way
Accessibility is not an add-on, but an essential part of a future-ready website. We help you understand what matters for your site, which steps make sense, and how to approach accessibility in a structured, sustainable way.
How we build accessible websites – step by step
From initial analysis to a fully accessible website:
We’ll show you what really matters – and what makes sense for your business. No detours, just clear results.
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Website audit: accessibility first
We start by auditing your existing website – based on WCAG guidelines. This includes checking for technical, structural, and content-related barriers.
The result: a clear, well-documented report with practical recommendations and rationale for each point.
🟢 SEO benefit: This audit often reveals unclear content or structural issues that can impact your search engine performance.
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Planning & strategy – tailored to your business
What needs to be adapted? Is a relaunch worth it? Which legal requirements apply to your case?
We give honest advice, set priorities, and always keep scalability, GDPR compliance, and effort in view.
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Implementation – technical & editorial
We create accessible websites – preferably using Kirby CMS. Our focus includes:
clean, semantic HTML
clear and logical navigation
full keyboard operability
descriptive alternative texts for images
content in plain and understandable language
🟢 SEO benefit: These improvements don’t just boost accessibility – they also reduce load times, improve mobile usability, and increase visibility on Google.
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Language & clarity – simplicity matters
Accessible websites use clear, understandable language, short sentences, and well-structured content. This not only supports users with cognitive limitations – it also benefits everyone who wants information quickly and without friction.
🟢 SEO benefit: Clear and readable content gets read, shared, and linked more often – boosting relevance and visibility in search results.
What Austria’s Accessibility Act means for your website
As of June 28, 2025, many digital services in Austria must be made accessible to all users. The legal basis is the Austrian Accessibility Act (BaFG), which implements EU Directive 2019/882 into national law. The Austrian Economic Chamber (WKO) provides official information and guidance.
The Act is based on the WCAG guidelines – the international standard for accessible websites.
But what does this mean for your business? Who is affected?
- Businesses with more than 10 employees or over 2 million euros in annual revenue
- Online shops, booking platforms, and comparison portals
- Websites operated by banks, insurance providers, or transport companies
- Any digital services offered to consumers
Small businesses with fewer than 10 employees are currently exempt from the legal requirement. Still, accessibility is worth it – it improves usability, builds trust, and increases your visibility in search engines.
Conclusion: Thinking about accessibility from the beginning means more than meeting requirements – it means building a stronger digital presence.
What does an accessible website need to do?
An accessible website is designed so that everyone can use it – regardless of physical ability, device, or assistive technology. The key requirements include:
- The entire site can be navigated using a keyboard – no mouse needed
- Content and structure are clear and easy to understand
- Text and background colors have enough contrast, and font sizes are easy to read
- All images include alternative text (alt attributes)
- The website is compatible with screen readers – using semantic HTML and meaningful ARIA roles
Conclusion: Thinking about accessibility from the beginning means more than meeting requirements – it means building a stronger digital presence.
What happens if you don’t take action?
From 2025 onward, violations of digital accessibility requirements will no longer be a side issue. Complaints, legal procedures, and penalties are possible.
But the bigger risk is falling behind – technically, legally, and commercially.
We support you in not just meeting the legal standards – but turning them into a meaningful part of your website strategy.
Web Accessibility – What You Need to Know
Web accessibility raises a lot of questions – technical, legal, and practical. Here we answer the most common ones, clearly and to the point. For anyone who wants to stay informed, take action, or simply understand what it’s all about.
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When does my website need to be accessible – and what does that actually mean?
Starting June 28, 2025, Austria’s Accessibility Act (BaFG) requires many websites to be accessible – especially those offering products or services to consumers, such as online shops, booking platforms, or comparison sites.
Accessibility in web design means:
Alternative text (alt text) for images, icons, and infographics
A correct HTML structure – with clear heading levels, lists, and tables
Full keyboard operability without a mouse
ARIA labels and roles for screen reader support
Sufficient color contrast and easily readable font sizes
Descriptive labels for links and buttons
Accessible error messages and form instructions
An accessible website is designed to be usable and understandable for everyone – regardless of disability or the technology they use.
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What does accessibility have to do with SEO?
More than most people think. An accessible website isn’t just easier to use – it also meets many of the criteria that search engines like Google rely on. What’s structured, fast, and easy to understand for people is also easier to interpret for machines.
How accessibility supports your search rankings:
Clean HTML structure
Headings, navigation, and content blocks are logically organized – helping Google better understand your content.
Alt text for images
Alt attributes make content accessible to screen readers – and provide data for image search indexing.
Accessible forms & descriptive links
Clear labels and link texts reduce confusion – and improve user signals like click-throughs and time on site.
Mobile optimization & loading speed
Accessible sites are often faster and perform better on mobile devices.
Clear content & plain language
Easy-to-read text lowers bounce rates and keeps users engaged longer.
Conclusion: Focusing on accessibility naturally improves many SEO-relevant areas. The result: a website that ranks better, works better – and is built for the future.
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What does accessible web design actually mean?
Accessible web design means creating a website that can be used and understood by everyone – regardless of disability or assistive technology.
And it’s about much more than just large fonts and high contrast. An accessible website typically meets the following criteria:
The site can be fully navigated using a keyboard – without relying on a mouse
Screen readers can interpret content correctly – thanks to structured headings, ARIA labels, and meaningful alt text
Forms are clearly labeled and easy to complete – including accessible error messages
Links and buttons are clearly named – instead of “click here,” they describe their purpose
Text is easy to read and well structured – written in clear, inclusive language
Color contrast and font sizes are chosen so content is legible even with limited vision
The goal: a website that excludes no one – and is designed from the start to work for everyone.
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What does an accessibility audit or review report include?
An accessibility audit shows how accessible your website is right now – and where specific barriers exist. As an agency specialized in digital accessibility, we perform a detailed analysis based on the WCAG guidelines and deliver a report that is clear, actionable, and tailored to your needs.
What do we evaluate?
HTML structure & semantics
Are headings properly organized? Is HTML used meaningfully and correctly?
Images & alt text
Are there useful image descriptions – or just placeholders?
Forms & navigation
Can users navigate everything via keyboard? Are all form fields clearly labeled?
Colors & contrast
Is the site readable even with limited vision?
What’s included in the report?
A clear list of identified accessibility issues
Recommendations for improvement – technical, visual, and editorial
A priority-based action plan to help you move forward efficiently
Why this matters
Our audit provides clarity: Where does your website stand today – and what steps bring lasting improvements?
Note: This is not an official certification – but a practical tool for real-world accessibility progress.
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Do I need special software to make my website accessible?
No – accessibility doesn’t depend on the system you use, but on how your website is built and maintained. Whether you’re using WordPress, Kirby CMS, Typo3, a site builder, or a custom solution: what matters is that your site meets the WCAG guidelines.
What matters more than the platform:
Clean, semantic HTML code
Accessible content – including alt text, clear language, and heading structure
Full keyboard navigation across the site
Logical, well-structured navigation menus
Technical flexibility to apply improvements when needed
What helps: a CMS that supports accessible features – for example, in form field labeling, link descriptions, or media management.
Bottom line: You don’t need special software – you need a smart implementation. And someone who knows what to look for.
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How can I tell if my website is accessible?
Many barriers are not immediately visible – neither to site owners nor to users without impairments. That’s why a structured accessibility audit is so important.
Common signs your site may not be accessible:
It can’t be fully navigated using a keyboard
Images lack alt text – or use meaningless placeholders
Forms only work with a mouse, not with a screen reader
Color contrast is weak, or text is hard to read
Headings look big visually, but aren’t marked correctly in the HTML
How to test for accessibility:
A basic check by someone with accessibility expertise
Tools like the screen reader mode in modern browsers
Our manual accessibility audit – with a clear, actionable report (not just error codes)
Bottom line: Accessibility isn’t about how a site looks – it’s about how it behaves. If you’re unsure, a quick check can make things clear fast.
