How to run a WCAG compliance test in 5 easy steps

 Use a website that was too hard to read or too tricky to click. Sometimes the words get too small or the colours get hard to see. This happens a lot for people with disabilities.

This is why websites must follow the WCAG rules. Web Content Accessibility Guidelines help websites work better for everyone and those who are blind, deaf or have cognitive trouble.

You needWCAG test to make sure your website follows these rules.

Step 1: Pick a page to test

Start small. Choose one web page from your website. It could be your homepage, contact page, or a product page.

Why start with just one page? Because it helps you learn the process without feeling too stressed. Once you understand how to test one page, you can do the rest later.

Choose a page that has pictures, buttons, forms, and links. These are things that often need fixing.

Step 2: Use a Free WCAG Compliance checker

You do not need to be a tech expert. There are free online tools that can check your page for you. WAVE or Google Lighthouse are some popular names.

Just copy and paste your web page link into the tool, and click on scan. The tool will look at your page and give you a report.

The report will tell you what is working well and what needs fixing. You can even get tips to make it better.

Step 3: Look for common problems

You will see a list of issues when the report comes. It is normal to have some problems so no need to worry.

Here are some common issues you might get from WCAG testing:

Missing alt text- pictures without descriptions
Low color contrast- hard-to-read text
Buttons or links that are too small
Headings that are not in the right order
Form fields without labels

Fixing these problems makes your site easier to use for people who are blind, have low vision or use screen readers.

Step 4: Fix the Problems

Send the report to your web developer. If you manage your site yourself, here are some easy fixes:

Add alt text to all images (a short sentence describing the picture)
Use darker text on light backgrounds for better contrast
Make sure buttons are big and easy to click
Add clear labels to all forms like “Name” or “Email”
Use headings like H1, H2, H3 in the right order

These small changes make a big difference for users with disabilities.

Step 5: Conduct WCAG test again and keep going

Test the page when you done fixing the above problems. Run the same tool and see if your report looks better. You might still have a few things to work on.

Once one page is good, move on to the next page. Keep going until your whole website is WCAG-friendly.

Make accessibility testing a habit. Check your website every few months, or anytime you make big changes.

No confident about the accuracy of WCAG compliance checker?

Running a WCAG compliance test with an automated scan is easier and faster. However, these tools are only 30% accurate. Therefore, human intervention is needed. Sometimes tools miss errors that require manual audits to catch. So, it is best to start your accessibility audits with a WCAG expert by your side.

With the right tools and a little expert help, anyone can make their website better for all users.

Conclusion

Making your website accessible is kind, smart, and good for business. Start with one page. Use a free tool. Fix what you can and hire the manual audit experts for assured success.

Need help? Work with an ADACP accessibility expert. Their services are accurate and absolutely worth it than using a trusted WCAG compliance checker.