Have a website created by an agency? Then pay attention here
Could your website use a refresh or do you want to have a completely new website created and hire a web agency to do it? Then these are the things you need to look out for. Hint: yes, especially accessibility for your users.
Digital accessibility and inclusion
As experts in the fields of digital accessibility and inclusion, our views are of course largely shaped by what we do on a daily basis. In this role, we regularly see new or revamped websites being launched with accessibility issues. We think that's a shame, which is why here are some tips so that this doesn't happen to you with your new wsite.
Website creation by an enthusiastic agency
Whether it is a tender or a direct award, in all cases we can advise you to be keen on what the agency says and does in terms of digital accessibility. Your role as a good client will only get stronger as a result.
From experience, we can say that you can already tell a lot from the way an agency itself communicates about digital accessibility when creating a website. Do they talk about the subject in an enthusiastic way, do they mention it prominently on their website and do they already have ideas of their own on how to help you with this? In many cases, these are good signs that the agency itself considers this an important topic and can become your partner in this.
On the other hand, we also sometimes see agencies seeing digital accessibility as a 'must' and doing only the bare minimum to comply with it or even trying to get out of it in all sorts of ways. These should already be big warnings. Fortunately, this is becoming less common, but it happens.
Also ask an agency that may soon be creating your new website for concrete examples and references. Sometimes a brief may state that the agency is capable of building accessible websites, but this should always be able to be substantiated. Have they already created a fully digitally accessible website? What are their experiences with it? To avoid disappointment afterwards, it is better to know this in advance.
Bonus tip: on the webpage ddai.co.uk/providers, you will find a list of web agencies that are proven to build digitally accessible websites.
A good basis for your new website
When getting a new website created, the technology of the website is certainly just as important as the agency creating it for you. A website should not only be beautiful, it should also work well for you, your colleagues and, of course, the potential users of your website. Now and in the future. That's why this is also one of the principles from the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).
A content management system (CMS) is often used for a website. Nowadays, most well-known CMSs are already largely or fully accessible or at least accessible in principle, but customised modules can often create additional accessibility problems. So pay close attention to this and ask the agency in detail about this.
In addition, the CMS you will use should enable you and your colleagues to publish accessible content. For example, is it possible to put text alternatives to images and are errors automatically fixed or highlighted? This is key to being and remaining digitally accessible, even after you have had your website created.
Form and/or function of the website
The eye wants something too, so of course the website should look fresh and modern. However, that is not the most important thing. A website is (usually) not made just for decoration; you often want users to do something on your website. Read information, make enquiries, buy products or services or just be entertained. Make sure all users can do that, including people who do not use the website via a standard web browser and people with disabilities.
“Mobile first, privacy first, SEO-first or accessibility first? No, put your user first. Then the rest will follow.”
The above quote has been wandering through my head for a while. So I don't actually know if anyone has ever said it like this, but it is true. Ultimately, you make the site for your user. If you always take that as your starting point, the rest will naturally follow. Of course, the website should be easy to use on a mobile device, be extremely secure and be found well in search engines (SEO). All this should revolve around your user. This also means that accessibility, SEO, UX and security do not have to get in the way of each other, but rather reinforce each other.
Have a website created by an agency? Now you know how
In summary, there are a number of things you need to pay attention to when getting a website created. Choose an agency that is itself enthusiastic about digital accessibility, make sure you have a good technical base and always keep the user in mind in everything you do with the website. Best of luck!
Need help getting your website created, want to spar with one of our accessibility experts or are you looking for a project manager who can take this off your hands and negotiate with the agency?