---
title: "Website accessibility basics for small businesses | MCC"
description: "Simple accessibility fixes for a small business website: text contrast, image descriptions, form labels, keyboard use and readable links. Not legal advice."
url: "https://mcc-solutionsnj.com/websites/guides/website-accessibility-basics-for-small-business"
---

Guide · Updated October 12, 2026

# Website accessibility basics for small businesses

An accessible site is easier for everyone to use, including people with low vision, people who use a keyboard or screen reader, and anyone on a small phone screen in sunlight.

By [Matthew Coleman](/about), MCC Solutions

**Quick answer.** Accessibility means people with low vision, those using keyboards or screen readers and anyone on a small phone can use your site. Basics: good contrast, text alternatives for images, labeled form fields and keyboard navigation. This is general information, not legal advice.

**Free tools:** [Free website SEO check](/websites/seo-checker) · [Search result preview](/websites/search-result-preview)

## Why it matters

Accessibility helps real customers use your site. Businesses also face legal and contract questions about it. This guide is general information, not legal advice; ask an attorney about your obligations.

## Text and contrast

Use dark text on a light background or the reverse, with strong contrast, and keep body text at a comfortable size. Do not rely on color alone to show meaning, such as red for errors with no label.

## Images

Give meaningful images short descriptions in the alt text. Decorative images can have empty alt text. Do not put important words only inside an image.

## Forms and links

Every form field needs a visible label. Error messages should say what went wrong. Links should say where they go, not just click here.

## Keyboard use

Try to use your site with only the Tab and Enter keys. You should be able to reach the menu, the contact form and the buttons, and see where focus is.

## Checking your site

Free tools can catch common issues, but they do not find everything. Test the pages that matter most, such as the home page and contact form, by hand.

## Common questions

**Does an accessibility overlay fix my site?**

Overlays and plug-ins do not fix every problem and some can introduce new ones. Fixing the page itself is more reliable.

**Where do I start?**

Contrast, form labels, alt text and keyboard access on your most visited pages.

This guide is general information. Search engines change how they work and their guidelines; check Google's current documentation for your situation. Nobody can guarantee a ranking.

Let us handle it

 [### Website design Fast, mobile-first small business websites built by a New Jersey firm, with a fixed written quote. You own the domain, hosting and content. Website design →](/websites/services/website-design)[### Website care & updates Monthly website care: updates, backups, security checks, speed and content changes for small businesses. Website care →](/websites/services/website-care)

More guides

- [A website audit checklist for small businesses](/websites/guides/website-audit-checklist-for-small-business)
- [How to Choose Google Business Profile Categories](/websites/guides/choose-google-business-profile-categories)
- [Using the Google Business Profile Services Section](/websites/guides/google-business-profile-services-section)
- [How to Use the Google Business Profile Products Tab](/websites/guides/google-business-profile-products-section)

Free tools

- [Website basics check](/websites/seo-checker)
- [Is your website working for you? quiz](/websites/quiz)

 [All guides](/websites/guides)

Reach small business owners working on their website and Google listing who read this guide: [advertise here](/advertise#websites).

Do it yourself

### Small Business Website Starter

A fast, mobile-friendly one-page site you edit in a text editor and host anywhere, with the sections a local service business needs and a plain setup guide.

[See what's inside ($29)](/toolkits/small-business-website-starter) [Free sample](/toolkits/small-business-website-starter#free-starter)14-day full refund

## Rather have us handle it? Ask for a quote.

[Get a Quote](/websites/#quote)[Call (908) 444-6373](tel:+19084446373)