Keeping it Inclusive — How to Structure Your Blog Posts for Accessibility

Blogging can take countless hours of hard work, editing, and research dedicated to each and every post. For optimal exposure and inclusion, you need to consider how best to structure your blog posts for accessibility.

You put in the effort and now want everyone who comes across your blog to be able to access the information. Check out these extra steps you should take to ensure that your audience is able to engage with your blog content.

Accessibility Goals to Strive For

Reading a blog post requires screen time and an important demographic to consider when it comes to accessibility are people with a visual impairment. Understandably, if your blog is not accessible to someone with a visual impairment, they will immediately click away from your website.

Researching ways to build a better blog led us to these 6 helpful ways to ensure accessibility for all.

Keep the Font Clear and the Colors Contrasting 

Some fonts are easier to read than others. One characteristic that makes a text easier to read is whether the font is sans-serif, meaning without serifs, which are little extended strokes off the main letter. Sans-serif fonts include Arial, Georgia, Merriweather, and Lato. 

Utilize the Headings Feature

A header is a great way for screen-reader users to navigate a web page. Breaking up the content, especially in longer blogs and articles, is key.  

Alt Text

What is an alt text?

This is the hidden description of a photo on your blog post. The idea behind an alt text is that the screen-reader user can still understand what is in the photo, which adds that much more to the blog experience. 

Labels, Labels, and More Labels!

Strive to have all of your buttons and links feature a clear description of where it will take your visitor. This is helpful when it comes to navigating your page, as well as any external or internal links published on it. Taking the time to include labels like these assists everyone and creates trust. 

Hashtag Fix

Capitalizing the first letter of a hashtag is a big help to the screen-reader. This is because it makes it that much easier to distinguish and then pronounce correctly. From a visual perspective, capitalization makes reading hashtags easier for everyone.

Exhibit A: #accessbility #disabilityawareness #instaaccessibility #instawebdesign

versus

Exhibit B: #Accessibility #DisabilityAwareness #InstaAccessibility #InstaWebDesign

Obviously, Exhibit B is the winner.

Multiple Font Options

Perhaps your easiest font to read is someone else’s hardest. To solve this problem, allow your content to be read in multiple font options. Another thing to be mindful of is that on some social apps, photos are not supported by the alt text feature. For this reason, it’s a good idea to share your information in another format. 

Embrace accessibility in your content creation by following these easy blogging tips to reach a wider and more appreciative audience. Contact our team for assistance with this or any other blogging need for your business.

Is There an Optimal Length for a Blog Post?

In our last blog post, we explored the ideal length of a web page. What about a blog post? Is there an optimal word count you should shoot for when writing a new post?

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: there is no hard and fast rule when it comes to content length. The best advice we can offer will be unique to your company and goals.

Of course, by looking at the general purpose of a blog and what a good post can do for your business, we can offer some tips that apply to most everyone, regardless of industry or company size.

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Is There an Optimal Length for a Web Page?

A well-crafted web page on your company’s website opens a window onto your business for your visitors. It is a first look, an introductory example of what matters to your business and brand. That’s why each web page should be relevant, concise, and easy to follow. 

As with almost every digital marketing “rule” the specifics come down to your industry, audience, and professional intentions. Still, there is some common sense, practical advice for creating web pages that meet certain expectations while connecting with your ideal client.

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Grammar Guide: So, Can I Start My Sentences Like This?

The English language is ever-changing. Each time we believe to have it all under control, it seems that there is another grammar rule to learn! This is because our language grows with us, we develop together. This is why some things that were not considered correct a few decades ago, are now grammatically okay. 

So, which rules have changed?

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Best Social Media Channel for My Business

Social media is a tool that can be used to promote, gain exposure, and connect. The online presence is one that is extensive and can reach colleagues of your business as well as customers faster than anything else!

With social media being the great power that it is, it can also be extremely overwhelming. Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and so many more… do you need an account for each one of them? Is that too much? Is it smarter to utilize all of the social media platforms or pour all of your energy into two or three that will work best for your company?

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