Making Your Hostinger Site More Accessible
TL;DR:
- Use semantic HTML elements like
<header>and<nav>instead of generic<div>tags - Check your colour contrast ratios to help users with vision impairments read your content
- Make sure every clickable element works with keyboard navigation
- Hostinger provides built-in tools to test and fix accessibility problems before you go live
Making your website accessible isn't just good practice – it's essential. When you build with accessibility in mind, you're creating a site that works for everyone, including users with disabilities. Here's how to get it right on Hostinger.
Use Semantic HTML Elements
Semantic HTML means choosing elements based on what they represent, not just how they look. Instead of wrapping everything in <div> tags, use elements that actually describe your content.
Screen readers and other assistive technology rely on these semantic clues to help users navigate your site. When you use <header> for your site header and <nav> for your navigation menu, you're giving these tools the information they need.
Getting started with semantic HTML:
Start with the big structural elements. Use <header> for your site header, <main> for your primary content, <nav> for navigation menus, and <footer> for your footer.
For content within these sections, choose elements that match their purpose. Use <article> for blog posts or standalone content pieces, <section> for distinct content areas, and <aside> for sidebar content.
When adding images with captions, wrap them in <figure> tags and use <figcaption> for the caption text. This creates a clear relationship between the image and its description.
Hostinger's website builder includes HTML validation tools that check your markup. Run these regularly to catch any semantic issues before they become problems.
Get Your Colour Contrast Right
Poor colour contrast makes text hard to read for everyone, but it's particularly problematic for users with vision impairments. Light grey text on a white background might look stylish, but it creates genuine barriers for your visitors.
The web accessibility guidelines recommend a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text. This might sound technical, but it's straightforward once you know where to check.
Using Hostinger's contrast tools:
Hostinger includes contrast checking tools in the website builder. When you're choosing colours for text and backgrounds, these tools will tell you whether your combination meets accessibility standards.
If your contrast ratio is too low, try darkening your text colour or lightening your background. Small adjustments often make a big difference.
Don't rely on colour alone to convey important information. If you're highlighting errors in red, also include an icon or additional text to make sure the message gets through.
Make Keyboard Navigation Work
Not everyone uses a mouse or touchscreen. Some users navigate entirely with their keyboard, using the Tab key to move between clickable elements and Enter or Space to activate them.
Every interactive element on your site needs to be reachable this way. That includes buttons, links, form fields, and any custom interactive components you've added.
Setting up keyboard navigation:
Test your site by unplugging your mouse and navigating with just the Tab key. You should be able to reach every clickable element in a logical order.
Add a "skip to main content" link at the very top of each page. This lets keyboard users jump straight to your main content without tabbing through your entire navigation menu first.
Make sure there's a visible focus indicator – usually a border or outline – that shows which element is currently selected. Don't remove these focus indicators with CSS unless you're replacing them with something equally clear.
For complex interactions like dropdown menus or modal windows, you might need to add additional keyboard support using JavaScript. The key is making sure users can open, navigate, and close these components without a mouse.
FAQs
Does Hostinger provide step-by-step accessibility tutorials?
Hostinger includes basic accessibility guidance, but you might want to supplement this with external resources for more detailed implementation help.
How accurate are Hostinger's contrast checking tools?
The built-in tools follow standard accessibility guidelines and provide reliable results for most colour combinations.
Can I test keyboard navigation before my site goes live?
Yes, you can test keyboard navigation on your staging site or preview mode before publishing your changes.
Jargon Buster
Semantic HTML: Using HTML elements that describe the meaning of content, not just its appearance (like <nav> for navigation instead of <div>)
Colour Contrast: The difference in brightness and colour between text and its background, measured as a ratio
Keyboard Support: Ensuring all website functions work with keyboard input alone, without requiring a mouse
Wrap-up
Building an accessible website takes a bit of extra thought, but it's not complicated. Focus on semantic HTML structure, readable colour combinations, and solid keyboard navigation. Hostinger's accessibility tools help you identify and fix issues before your site goes live.
The effort pays off in a site that works better for everyone. Plus, accessible sites often perform better in search engines and are easier to maintain over time.
Ready to improve your web design skills? Join Pixelhaze Academy for more detailed guides and hands-on training.