Accessibility Checklist Before Launching Your Website

Use this pre-launch accessibility checklist to catch common issues before your site goes live.

Launching a new website? Use this checklist to catch accessibility issues before they become problems.

Document Structure

HTML lang attribute is set correctly
Page has a unique, descriptive <title>
One <h1> per page describing the page content
Headings are in logical order (no skipping levels)
Main content is in a <main> element

Images

All informative images have descriptive alt text
Decorative images have empty alt (alt="")
Complex images have detailed descriptions

Color and Contrast

Text has at least 4.5:1 contrast ratio
Large text (18px+) has at least 3:1 contrast ratio
Color is not the only way to convey information
Focus indicators are visible and have sufficient contrast

Forms

All inputs have associated labels
Required fields are indicated
Error messages are clear and specific
Form can be completed using keyboard only

Keyboard Navigation

All interactive elements are keyboard accessible
Tab order follows visual reading order
Focus is visible at all times
No keyboard traps
Skip link jumps to main content

Links and Buttons

Link text describes the destination
No "click here" or "read more" links
Icon-only buttons have aria-label

Interactive Components

Modals trap focus while open
Modals can be closed with Escape key
Modals return focus when closed

Testing

Run automated accessibility scan (SiteDNA)
Test entire site with keyboard only
Test key pages with a screen reader
Check pages at 200% zoom

Run an Automated Scan

This checklist covers key items, but automated scanning catches issues you might miss. Run a free SiteDNA scan before launch to identify any remaining problems.