7 first checks for a more usable website

Start with a real page people use—ideally your homepage, a product or service page, and a form. Take brief notes on where you encounter friction.

1. Put the mouse aside.

   Use the Tab and Shift+Tab keys to move through navigation, buttons and form fields. Can you reach everything? Is it clear where keyboard focus is?

2. Check page structure.

   Does the page have a clear title and descriptive headings in a logical order? Headings should identify sections, not merely make text larger.

3. Examine links and buttons.

   Would link text make sense out of context? Are controls named by what they do, instead of saying only “click here”?

4. Look at images that convey meaning.

   Does the alternative text convey information that a nonvisual reader would need? Decorative images usually shouldn't add noise.

5. Check contrast and text size.

   Try reading on a mobile screen and at high zoom. Do important labels, instructions or data disappear? Use an established contrast checker rather than estimating by eye.

6. Try a form with mistakes.

   Are labels clear? When you leave a required field empty, does the error explain the problem and how to fix it?

7. Review information presented only visually.

   For charts, maps and instructions that rely on color or location, is equivalent information available in text, tables, labels or another accessible form?

What to do with the findings

Record the page URL, the action you attempted, what happened, what you expected, and the likely impact. Prioritize issues that block important tasks such as completing a purchase, reading instructions or submitting a form.

Further reading

The W3C Web Accessibility Initiative publishes an Easy Checks guide ↗ (opens in a new tab) and the WCAG 2.2 recommendation ↗ (opens in a new tab). These provide primary references beyond this introductory review.