Strategize about keywords + search hits
Use an appropriate tone/language for your audience
Page titles + section headings should be succinct and descriptive
Links should use descriptive words. Readers want know what they’re clicking on.
For Example:
Needs Improvement: Click here to see how Brandeis works with community partners.
Good: Brandeis University’s Samuels Center for Community Partnerships and Civic Transformation provides our scholarly community with resources and training opportunities for building partnerships and collaborations outside of Brandeis.
Evoke interest with dynamic elements; don’t overwhelm readers with too many clicks
Text should stand out against background image/color
Create pages to differentiate sections; create further subdivisions with headings
Integrate images, diagrams, and other visual media
Don’t make your readers search! Provide links to other websites + make sure they work
Format text using automatic styles
Every image should have alt-text or, where appropriate, “decorative image” designation
Emphasize important text with bold/italic fonts, not color
Provide transcripts/captions for audiovisual media. Brandeis' Sound and Image Media Studios can help.
When thinking about accessibility, it's important to understand how alt-text and other website elements are presented to visually-impaired audiences. I highly recommend downloading a free screen reader and trying it out for yourself. NVAccess is a free, easy-to use option. When you begin the installation, make sure you deselect any options to run the program during startup. When you begin the installation, the program will immediately begin describing screen elements. When you're done experimenting, just quit the program and the voice will turn off.
