Website accessibility checklist for small businesses (WCAG 2.2 AA)

Use this checklist to review your own website in about an hour. It covers the issues that most often block visitors who use screen readers, keyboards, magnification or captions. It follows WCAG 2.2 Level AA, but it is a practical starting point, not a full audit.

Images

1. Every meaningful image has alt text that says what it shows or does.
2. Decorative images use empty alt (alt="").
3. Logos that link home say the business name, e.g. "Elm Street Dental – home".
4. Text inside images (flyers, menus, banners) is also available as real text.

Text and colour

5. Body text has at least 4.5:1 contrast against its background.
6. Large headings and buttons have at least 3:1.
7. Colour is never the only way information is shown (e.g. "fields in red are required").
8. The page still works when zoomed to 200% and on a 320px-wide phone screen.

Structure

9. Each page has one H1, and headings go in order (H2, then H3).
10. The page language is set (<html lang="en">).
11. Each page has a unique, descriptive title.
12. Lists are real lists and tables have header cells.

Links and buttons

13. Link text makes sense on its own (not "click here").
14. Icon-only buttons (menu, search, cart, social) have an accessible name.
15. Tap targets are at least 24 by 24 CSS pixels.

Keyboard

16. You can reach and use every link, button and form field with Tab, Shift+Tab, Enter and Space.
17. The focused element is clearly visible and not hidden behind a sticky header or cookie banner.
18. Pop-ups and menus can be closed with Escape and don't trap focus.
19. A "Skip to content" link appears on the first Tab press.

Forms

20. Every field has a visible label, not just placeholder text.
21. Error messages say what went wrong and how to fix it.
22. Required fields are marked in text, not only with colour.
23. Logins allow password managers and pasting.

Media and documents

24. Videos have accurate captions; nothing auto-plays sound.
25. Key PDFs (menus, forms, price lists) are also available as an accessible web page.

How to use it

Start with items 1, 5, 14, 16 and 20. Those are the problems automated scans find most often and the ones visitors hit first. Then add an accessibility statement so people know how to reach you if something doesn't work.

This checklist does not certify compliance with the ADA or any law, and it is not legal advice.

Related guides

• Website accessibility for contractors and home-service businesses
• Real estate website accessibility: listings, photos and IDX search
• Salon and spa website accessibility: booking, menus and photos
• Medical and chiropractic clinic website accessibility

All guides

This guide is general technical information, not legal advice. Following it does not certify ADA or any legal compliance. Automated checks find only part of accessibility barriers.