Offering A11Y Audits as Part of Your SEO Site Health Check

Offering A11Y Audits as Part of Your SEO Site Health Check

Introduction

In today's digital landscape, accessibility is no longer a secondary consideration—it's a core component of a healthy, high-performing website. As search engines continue to evolve, so do their ranking factors. Today, ensuring that your website is accessible to all users, including those with disabilities, supports not only legal and ethical responsibilities but also your site’s search visibility and user experience. That’s where offering A11Y (accessibility) audits as part of your SEO site health check becomes a practical and strategic opportunity.

As an SEO content strategist and accessibility expert, I’ve seen firsthand how integrating accessibility into site audits can yield transformational results for businesses—improving inclusivity, reducing bounce rates, and enhancing credibility. In this article, we'll unpack the value of including accessibility in SEO audits, how tools like allyWay support this process, and why web accessibility is an indispensable part of modern digital success.

Let’s explore how combining SEO and A11Y creates a healthier, more inclusive, and optimized web presence.

Why Accessibility Matters in SEO

Accessibility and SEO Share Common Goals

Search engine optimization and web accessibility both prioritize creating a better user experience. While SEO focuses on how easily search engines and users can navigate, understand, and engage with content, accessibility ensures similar access for individuals with disabilities—including those relying on screen readers, keyboard navigation, or alternative input methods.

Accessible websites:
✓ Improve usability
✓ Ensure content is perceivable and navigable by all users
✓ Help search engines better index and understand content

In short, they're good for people and for algorithms.

Accessibility as a Ranking Signal

Google's core updates place increasing emphasis on UX signals such as Core Web Vitals and page quality. Accessibility directly contributes to:

• Lower bounce rates
• Better click-through and engagement rates
• Enhanced mobile usability scores

These factors are directly or indirectly associated with search rankings.

While accessibility is not explicitly listed as a primary ranking signal, it bolsters the signals that matter. An accessible website tends to have cleaner code, better structure, and more usable content—which translates into better SEO performance.

What is an A11Y Audit and Why Offer It?

Understanding A11Y Audits

An A11Y audit is a systematic review of a website or application to identify barriers that may prevent people with disabilities from perceiving, navigating, or interacting with digital content. These barriers often violate accessibility standards such as:

• WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) 2.1 or 2.2
• ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)
• EN 301 549 (EU accessibility standard)
• European Accessibility Act (EAA)

An audit identifies issues such as:

• Missing alt text
• Improper heading hierarchy
• Poor contrast ratios
• Inaccessible forms and buttons
• Unlabeled links or form fields
• Keyboard traps

Why Include Accessibility in Your SEO Audits

Incorporating an A11Y audit into your SEO site health check makes sense for several reasons:

1. Expanded Audience Reach
   One in four adults in the U.S. lives with a disability. Accessibility helps serve this large segment of potential users.

2. Better User Experience
   Accessibility improvements boost overall usability and satisfaction for all users—not just those with disabilities.

3. Reduced Legal Risk
   While no tool can guarantee legal compliance, accessible websites are less likely to attract lawsuits under laws like ADA or EAA.

4. Improved Brand Perception
   Brands that prioritize inclusion build trust, loyalty, and competitive advantage.

5. SEO Gains
   Clean code, semantic structure, and device-friendly design also support search rankings.

The Role of allyWay in A11Y and SEO Optimization

Accessible websites require ongoing effort—not a one-time fix. That’s where platforms like allyWay come in. allyWay is an AI-powered accessibility optimization solution tailored to businesses, agencies, and developers looking to scale accessibility efficiently.

allyWay at a Glance

allyWay is a smart, scalable, and responsible tool that helps support your accessibility journey while saving time and expanding user access.

Whether you're an SEO consultant or a digital agency, incorporating allyWay into your workflow streamlines your practices while promoting inclusion and better site performance.

How to Integrate A11Y Audits Into Your SEO Health Checks

Making accessibility a core part of your SEO strategy doesn't require a complete overhaul. Here's a step-by-step process to help you incorporate accessibility checks into your existing workflow:

Step 1: Automated Scanning with allyWay

Use allyWay's automated A11Y auditing tool to scan your client’s website. The AI-powered engine will identify key issues and provide actionable insights into areas that need review.

Step 2: Manual Testing Against Key UX Elements

While automated scans quickly catch surface-level issues, some barriers require human review. Key manual test factors include:

• Visual focus indicators
• Logical tab order
• Screen reader behavior
• Mobile responsiveness
• Labeling and form behavior

Step 3: Compare Against Best Practices

Evaluate your findings against criteria derived from standards like:

• WCAG 2.1 AA
• EN 301 549
• Section 508 (U.S. government standard)
• EAA directives for eCommerce and public services

Step 4: Prioritize Fixes Aligned with SEO

Focus on remedial actions that improve both accessibility and SEO:

• Use semantic HTML tags
• Apply alt attributes to images
• Create clear link text
• Ensure headings follow a logical hierarchy (H1 → H6)
• Use descriptive anchor text

Step 5: Communicate Value to Clients

Share audit insights with your clients, showcasing both:
→ SEO performance improvement
→ Inclusion benefits and effort toward increased accessibility

Step 6: Monitor and Maintain A11Y

Accessibility is not a one-time task. Use allyWay’s tools to consistently monitor changes, new uploads, and overall accessibility impacts.

Accessibility + SEO = Win-Win

Combining SEO principles with accessibility best practices ensures a more holistic, inclusive web strategy that benefits all users—and aligns with evolving digital standards.

Positioning Accessibility as a Value-Add Service

If you’re an SEO professional, offering A11Y audits as part of site health checks allows you to:
✓ Expand your service offerings
✓ Differentiate your agency/business from competitors
✓ Position yourself as a modern, inclusive solution provider
✓ Provide real-world value to your clients and their users

Client education is key: Let clients know that improving accessibility not only helps their site’s performance but also makes them a more inclusive, forward-thinking business.

When paired with allyWay’s advanced capabilities, you can confidently offer practical accessibility solutions that support compliance efforts while improving digital equity.

FAQs About Offering A11Y Audits in SEO

What accessibility guidelines should websites follow?
Websites should strive to meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA at minimum. These guidelines are internationally accepted and referenced in legislation like the ADA, EN 301 549, and the EAA.

Can allyWay make a website compliant with accessibility laws?
No. While allyWay helps reduce accessibility barriers and can assist your compliance efforts, it does not guarantee legal compliance. Full accessibility typically requires a combination of platforms like allyWay, manual improvements, and ongoing maintenance.

What is the difference between automated and manual A11Y testing?
Automated testing tools (like those in allyWay) quickly detect common accessibility issues. Manual testing captures more nuanced or context-dependent barriers and ensures alignment with real-user experience.

Is accessibility a legal requirement?
In many countries, businesses must ensure their websites are accessible. For example, the ADA in the U.S. and the European Accessibility Act (EAA) require accessibility for private and public organizations. While the degree of enforcement varies, inclusion brings long-term brand and legal advantages.

How often should I perform accessibility audits?
Accessibility audits should be conducted quarterly or whenever major content/design updates are made. allyWay helps automate ongoing monitoring and alerts for faster fixes.

Conclusion: Make Accessibility Part of Your SEO Strategy

Accessibility and SEO are two sides of the same coin—and inclusive design is no longer optional in competitive digital environments. By including A11Y audits in your SEO health checks, you deliver greater value, enhance user experience, and support ethical, sustainable digital practices.

With its AI-powered audits, profiles, and global language support, allyWay helps you scale accessibility efficiently. It’s a smart, business-friendly