Boost User Experience with WCAG-Compliant UI/UX Design: A Case Study

At Blu Creative, we’re big on creating digital experiences that are not just beautiful but also accessible to everyone. We believe that a great user experience (UX) means every user can enjoy your website, regardless of their abilities. That’s where WCAG-compliant UI/UX design comes in—it’s all about making your site inclusive and easy to use, no matter who’s visiting.

Recently, we had the chance to work with a client who wanted to improve their website’s user experience, but they also needed to ensure it was compliant with WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines). Let’s walk you through what we did and how making their site more accessible didn’t just meet compliance—it also boosted their overall user experience.

The Challenge: A Website with Barriers

Our client came to us with a website that looked pretty good but wasn’t quite user-friendly for everyone. They started noticing that some users with disabilities were struggling to navigate the site, read the content, or even find key information. To make things worse, they knew they weren’t WCAG-compliant, which posed not just usability issues but potential legal risks.

Here’s what we found during our initial audit:

• Low contrast text: Some of the text on the site didn’t have enough contrast against the background, making it hard for people with visual impairments to read.
• Unclear navigation: Users relying on keyboards or screen readers struggled to move through the site smoothly.
• Missing alt text: Important images lacked alt text, which screen readers use to describe visuals to users with disabilities.

Our task was clear: we needed to design a UI/UX that was WCAG-compliant and made the site more accessible, while also ensuring a smooth, enjoyable experience for all users

The Solution: WCAG-Compliant UI/UX Design

We knew that fixing these issues wasn’t just about ticking boxes for compliance—it was about enhancing the entire user experience. So, we got to work. Here’s how we approached the redesign:

• Improving Visual Contrast for Better Readability

One of the first things we tackled was the low contrast text. Using WCAG guidelines, we adjusted the color contrast on the site to ensure that text was easy to read for everyone, including users with visual impairments. The goal was to make sure the site was visually appealing and functional.

What we did: We boosted the contrast ratio for all text, making sure it met WCAG’s minimum contrast ratio of 4.5:1. This small change made a huge difference in readability and user comfort.

• Streamlining Navigation for Keyboard and Screen Reader Users

Next up was making the site keyboard and screen reader-friendly. For users who navigate without a mouse, it’s essential that they can easily tab through the site’s interactive elements. We redesigned the navigation flow, making sure that all buttons, links, and forms were accessible via keyboard.

What we did: We added clear focus indicators, so users could easily see where they were on the page as they tabbed through. We also made sure all interactive elements were tagged correctly, so screen readers could identify and describe them properly.

• Adding Descriptive Alt Text for Images

We didn’t want users with visual impairments to miss out on the visual elements that enhanced the site’s message. So, we added alt text to every important image, ensuring that screen readers could describe the visuals to users who couldn’t see them.

What we did: We wrote concise, descriptive alt text for every key image on the site. This allowed visually impaired users to engage with the full content of the website, just like any other visitor.

The Results: A Better Experience for Everyone

After implementing these WCAG-compliant design changes, the results were clear: the website wasn’t just more accessible—it was better for everyone. Here’s what our client saw:

• Improved User Engagement: With clearer text and easier navigation, users stayed on the site longer and found the information they needed more quickly.
• Positive Feedback from Users: People with disabilities gave positive feedback, appreciating the site’s new accessibility features, especially the easier navigation and improved readability.
• Compliance with WCAG Standards: The client now had peace of mind, knowing they were fully WCAG-compliant and meeting legal requirements.
• Boosted SEO: By adding alt text and improving the overall structure of the site, the client also saw a bump in their search engine rankings, proving that accessibility can positively impact SEO, too.

Accessibility is Good for Business

This case study showed us once again that making a site accessible isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s also a smart business move. By making their website WCAG-compliant, our client didn’t just avoid legal pitfalls—they enhanced the user experience for everyone. From improved readability to easier navigation, these changes helped the site work better for all visitors, no matter their abilities.

At Blu Creative, we love helping brands create digital experiences that are inclusive and user-friendly. So, if you’re ready to boost your website’s user experience with WCAG-compliant UI/UX design, let’s chat! We’d be happy to help make your site accessible to all while elevating your brand’s online presence.