Is your website unintentionally excluding people?
The Good Sh*ft—Vol. 06. April 2025
The Goods just got snappier.
Meet The Good Sh*ft—your quick, actionable hit of brand, website, and UX wisdom. No fluff, just smart tweaks that can make a real difference.
Think of it as a mini power-up for your website and brand—because done right, small shifts = big impact for your business.
First up: 3 ways your website might be unintentionally shutting people out (and how to fix it).
👇 Read on and make the shift.
Your website should welcome all potential clients, but if accessibility isn’t considered, you could be shutting people out.
There are so many ways website design can miss the mark. Not only in unwittingly excluding people, but the possible difference between a website bounce or a purchase; a booking or a lost client; or a new connection with your community.
So, where to start?
Text sizes and colour contrast, legibility and labelling, user experience and navigation… Oh my!
It’s a big topic.
But, if you’re ready to make small changes that can make a big difference, you’re in the right place.
Let’s start with colour.
You might have the most beautiful design, thoughtful copy and wonderful offer. But if the words and images don’t contrast enough from the background, all that hard work can go to waste.
You might be able to read them all, though some might take more effort—and depending on your vision, one or two could be quite hard to make out.
Text size helps legibility, of course—but focussing just on colour contrast for now, high contrast between foreground and background is key for legibility.
As Webaim.org says it, “WCAG 2.0 level AA requires a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text […] WCAG Level AAA requires a contrast ratio of at least 7:1 for normal text and 4.5:1 for large text”.
Using Colorable, an online contrast checker tool, here’s how those contrast levels check out:
Colorable contrast checker results
We've got two fails and one AAA pass—meaning the top black and blue combo has high contrast, while the other two are too low to meet AA standards.
Now that we’ve seen how contrast plays a key role in accessibility, here are three quick checks to help make sure your design is doing its job for everyone.
Quick Checks:
🖥️ Contrast Ratio
Ensure enough contrast between text (foreground) and its background using a colour checker like Colorable.
⚖️ Font Size and Weight
Larger or bold text can pass with a slightly lower contrast ratio, but don’t rely on size alone—aim for strong contrast regardless.
🎨 Colour Alone ≠ Meaning
Don’t use colour alone to convey important information (like red for errors). Support with text, icons, or other indicators to ensure clarity for colour-blind users.
Small tweaks can make a massive difference—for your audience and your brand.
Ready for real shifts with your website or brand? Book a free 20-minute consult to see how we can help→
First published March 2025; updated April 2025.
This content is for general information only and not intended as specific advice. For guidance tailored specifically to you, your business and requirements, consult a qualified professional.
