When you think about accessibility, usability and search engine optimization (SEO) you might think it too difficult to achieve all three in your Web design.  However, if your Web page structure is designed the right way, then common usability techniques will also provide for many of the regulated accessibility needs, and both of those combined will provide for great SEO.

First let’s look at accessibility, as this is the area where many Web site designers admit that they lack knowledge and often leave out due to time constraints. 

The standard for determining Web sites' capability and compliance with accessibility to information on the Web has been set by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C).  Based on these W3C standards, some of the key features that should be on your accessibility check list include:   

• Local navigation system on pages
• Not using drop down menus from the navigation buttons
• Automated site map development system
• Meta Data customization and automation features
• Alt Tag customization features
• Internal search engine systems
• Printer-friendly pages that can be set in extra large font sizes

The added benefit is that many of these features will also make your Web site more search engine friendly. 

Fortunately, Hot Banana 5.7.X was designed to enable Web sites to provide these capabilities automatically and meet the W3C Priority 1 and 2 standards.  Furthermore, most of our client Web sites also score between 80 and 90 per cent in the Priority 3 standards. 

For more "practical & actionable" tips, I encourage you to attend the "Accessibility, Usability, and SEO" speaker session taking place at Search Engine Strategies Toronto on Wednesday, June 18, 2008 at 2:30pm.  Join Jane Motz Hayes (Information Designer, WebFeat), Joseph C. Dolson (Web Design Consultant), and myself for an informative session about how to build a user-friendly and accessible Web site that coincides with your SEO strategy.

Also, stay tuned for my next article when I will be exploring the topic of Usability in more detail. In the meantime, please feel free to comment below.

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