Building an Accessible Website with Wix

Over a billion people (that’s about 15% of the world) live with some form of disability. That’s a huge number of potential customers businesses could be missing out on just because their websites aren’t accessible. Making accessibility a standard part of your online presence isn’t just the right thing to do, it also seriously boost your SEO and help your brand reach way more people.

The European Accessibility Act (EAA) has come into effect in June 2025. This act sets a clear legal standard for digital products and services offered in the EU, including websites, apps, e-commerce platforms, and more. Based on the formal European standard EN 301 549, it is no longer just guidance; it’s law.

The EAA applies even if your business is based outside the EU, as long as you serve customers there. It covers various sectors, including banking, transport, education, and online retail. Micro-enterprises (those with fewer than 10 employees and less than €2 million in turnover) are exempt, but everyone else must comply. Furthermore, even if you’re exempt, the direction is clear: inclusive digital experiences are fast becoming a baseline expectation.

Australia has had the Disability Discrimination Act since 1992. The U.S. has Section 508 and the ADA. However, the EAA is a major step forward, especially in how specifically it focuses on digital accessibility.

So What Is Accessibility?

Accessibility ensures all individuals can use what you’ve built, regardless of how they access it. Whether you’re a small business owner, a creative, or a service provider, making your website accessible means ensuring that all users, including people with disabilities, can navigate and use your site with ease. It’s not just about ticking a legal box.

Accessibility ensures all individuals can use what you’ve built, regardless of how they access it.

Core Accessibility Features

1. Screen Reader Compatibility: Your site works with screen readers, allowing those who can’t see the screen to read and navigate it.

2. Keyboard Usability: It should be usable with a keyboard alone, eliminating the need for a mouse.

3. Clear Heading Hierarchy: Content follows a clear heading hierarchy, using actual levels of importance that guide the reader effectively.

4. Form Labels: Forms must have clear labels so that users of screen readers or autofill tools know exactly what each field is for.

5. Color As a Cue: Color should aid in understanding, but it must not be the only method to convey important information; consider labels, icons, or other visual cues as well.

6. Descriptive Buttons: Buttons must have meaningful labels; avoid vague labels like "Click here."

7. Readability: Contrast must be high enough so that text is readable, especially for users with low vision or color blindness.

8. Intuitive Navigation: Menus, expandable sections, and pop-ups should behave as expected, making them easy to spot, open, and navigate.

   
   

Thankfully Wix Studio makes it simpler for business owners and creatives to build websites that meet accessibility standards, no coding or extra cost.

Start with the Wix Studio Accessibility Wizard

Wix Accessibility Wizard scans your website and flags common issues like:

• Low colour contrast

• Missing alt text on images

• Improper heading structure

• Links without descriptive text

• Missing page titles

The Wizard guides you through fixing these, step by step, with clear instructions. It’s a great starting point, but it shouldn’t be where you stop.

Go Further with Wix’s Advanced Accessibility Settings

Once you've addressed the basics, Wix offers Advanced Accessibility Settings that let you customise and fine-tune how your site behaves for users with assistive technologies.

1. Skip to Content Button 

   Allows keyboard and screen reader users to bypass navigation menus and jump straight to the main content.

2. ARIA Landmarks 

   Defines sections of a web page (like headers, navigation, main content) for screen readers.

3. Auto-Focus Control

   Helps avoid automatic focus shifts that can disorient users.

4. Heading Tags (H1-H6) 

   Creates logical heading structure for better navigation by screen readers.

5. Focus Indicators 

   Shows which element (like a button or link) is currently selected when using keyboard navigation.

6. Page Titles and Language Settings 

   Sets descriptive page titles and declare your site’s language for better accessibility and SEO.

Accessibility Is Ongoing

Making your site accessible isn’t a one-time task. It’s something you should review regularly, especially when adding new content or features. By using both the Wix Accessibility Wizard and the Advanced Accessibility Settings, you’re making a meaningful step toward a more inclusive web — and setting your business apart in the right way.