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People are individuals, with differing needs and tastes. Unfortunately, many businesses forget this rule of thumb as they build a website. This is an especially material problem for those of us with special vision requirements, mobility challenges, communication problems, and the like. Everyone is different. Everyone is unique. Yet we all share basic needs and desires. Therefore, it is important to make your web site as accessible as reasonably possible.

Consider someone who is slightly aging. An older person should be given priority from a sales perspective because older people have had more time to accumulate wealth. However, with elders, their eye sight starts to diminish. This is usually not a problem because our operating systems and web browsers can just "bump up" the text size. Or, can they? If you don't account for this functionality when you build a website, important features will not be usable for those with increased text size.

When you make a website, it's important to take consideration to the color scheme. Color blindness, in some form or another, is quite common despite popular belief. The common forms of color blindness still allow individuals to see colors, just not distinguish between similar colors. Create a website that uses contrast and try to avoid using colors to represent meaning. Wording such as "items colored red are not in stock" is something you should avoid.

Let us think for a moment about mobility restraints. Whether due to an accident or other medical issue, there are many people who access the web, and use a keyboard, but whom can not operate a mouse. Therefore, it is important to consider other navigation options when you are ready to make a website.

To create a website that can function with the keyboard alone takes minimal effort. It's encouraged to simulate keyboard navigation by, simply, using a keyboard to navigate! Try it for an hour. Visit your daily sites, except try it without using the mouse. Without a doubt you'll find that some sites are easy to work with, and other sites which are infuriating. How does your site stack up?

Lastly, think about what software your visitor could already be using. There are many different configurations of browsers, operating systems and user preferences. Does your site exclude any of these? For example, many sites use JavaScript for menu navigation without realizing that many businesses disable JavaScript in order to keep their machines secure. Subsequently, any parties navigating to the page while at work wouldn't be able to follow the required link to complete a transaction. When you create a website, users shouldn't be prevented from navigating because of the software they run.

To recap, the three big issues are mobility, software, and sight. Cater to them, and they will cater to you. With these best practices in mind, you can confidently create a website that will maximize its intent. You'll get more visitors, more repeat visitors, and happier visitors. This is a great way to run a successful business.

Think for a moment about the needs of a senior citizen. When you make a website, it's important to take consideration to the text size and color scheme. Color blindness, in some form or another, is quite common despite popular belief. Now consider mobility restraints. At any time, the number of people who can't operate a mouse may actually be higher than you think. Perhaps an accident restricts their coordination or agility. For several reasons, you should always consider that your users may not be using a mouse when you build a website. To create a website that can function with the keyboard alone takes minimal effort.