{"id":1803,"date":"2022-08-29T20:07:10","date_gmt":"2022-08-30T03:07:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/?p=1803"},"modified":"2025-09-25T04:56:39","modified_gmt":"2025-09-25T11:56:39","slug":"how-to-make-your-brands-content-more-accessible-to-all-customers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/how-to-make-your-brands-content-more-accessible-to-all-customers\/","title":{"rendered":"How to make your brand\u2019s content more accessible to all customers"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><strong>A guide to making sure your content is clear, concise, and valuable.<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1805\" src=\"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/pexels-fauxels-3228689.jpg\" alt=\"A guide to making sure your content is clear, concise, and valuable\" width=\"1280\" height=\"853\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/pexels-fauxels-3228689.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/pexels-fauxels-3228689-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/pexels-fauxels-3228689-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/pexels-fauxels-3228689-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/pexels-fauxels-3228689-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pexels.com\/photo\/low-angle-photo-of-people-s-fingers-doing-star-shape-3228689\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Source<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n<p><b>Despite the fact that around <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.donaldsons.org.uk\/neurodiversity\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>one in seven people<\/b><\/a><b> is neurodivergent, there is a significant lack of reasonable adjustments available in both the physical and digital world.<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When it comes to web design, an alarming number of brands fail to provide inclusive or accessible experiences. As a result, droves of neurodivergent users are alienated from using certain digital services or unable to interact with brands online. In turn, businesses are missing out on a large segment of potentially loyal customers: <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">when your online store or website isn\u2019t accessible, no one wins.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But with the right tweaks and adjustments, you can make your store\u2019s content more accessible to neurodivergent customers.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let\u2019s explore.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>Making your store\u2019s content more accessible: Essential tips<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We live in a time where consumers have limitless access to information and buying opportunities with the swipe of a screen or the click of a button. But without gaining access to reasonable adjustments, countless people will only experience a slither of what the digital world has to offer them.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/what-is-neurodivergence-and-what-does-it-mean-to-be-neurodivergent-5196627\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Neurodivergent<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> people experience the world differently from neurotypical people (those whose brain functions or perceptions are considered \u201cstandard\u201d). Particular colors, designs, graphics, processes, content, or visuals might not make sense to someone neurodivergent and may even cause distress or frustration.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here, we look at tips that will help make your online store\u2019s content clearer and more logical to neurodivergent customers\u2014starting with <\/span><b>formatting<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Format your text to make it scannable and easy to follow<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How you format your online store&#8217;s text matters, as getting it right will make it easier for neurodivergent users to navigate every page with minimal frustration or confusion.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">First of all, it\u2019s important to understand that you should keep <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline;\">underlined<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">italicized<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">,<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CAPITALIZED text to a minimum to avoid creating confusion. Use these formatting elements sparingly by all means, but only to make a very specific point.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can use <\/span><b>bolded <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">text formatting a little more, as it will help guide your store visitors to key aspects of your messaging. Breaking up your text into small chunks and using bulleted or numbered lists will also make your text more logical and easier to follow.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1806\" src=\"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/unnamed-6.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1498\" height=\"378\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/unnamed-6.png 1498w, https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/unnamed-6-300x76.png 300w, https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/unnamed-6-1024x258.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/unnamed-6-768x194.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1498px) 100vw, 1498px\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vans.co.uk\/shop\/en-gb\/vans-gb\/new-arrivals-uk\/vans-x-pretty-guardian-sailor-moon-sk8-hi-shoes-vn0a7q5nuus\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Source<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This example from Vans demonstrates how you can use plain, digestible text that is easy to navigate on-page. The product description is easy to follow, and the bullets highlight all of the key product USPs with a clear, concise approach while maintaining the brand\u2019s warm tone of voice.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Make sure your messaging is plain and simple (leave the jargon at the door)<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In addition to formatting your text well, getting your messaging is also critical if you want to make your online store\u2019s content more accessible to neurodivergent users.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To make sure your copy is plain and simple, you should always read your sentences out loud to check if it flows well and sounds natural. It\u2019s important to ensure your messaging is literal and gets directly to the point (idioms, adverbs, or unusual phrasing may not make much sense to someone neurodivergent).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your copy is obscure and packed with industry jargon, people will bounce off your webpage and surf elsewhere for their shopping fix. Here are some copywriting tips that will help you avoid this:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Write your sentences or key points in as few words as you can. Cut away any unnecessary words or punctuation to make your messaging as punchy as possible<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>Adopt the active voice or tense rather than the passive voice or tense where possible<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>Check to ensure your messaging follows a logical format with a clear-cut beginning, middle, and end<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>Try online tools like Hemingway and <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/readable.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Readable<\/span><\/a><b> for real-time tips and hints on keeping your copy clean and clear<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b><i>Read: <\/i><\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/7-copywriting-principles-for-the-modern-business-age\/\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">7 copywriting principles for the modern business age<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for extra tips on how to make your content accessible yet powerful across the board<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Use plain colors that weave together well<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now, let\u2019s get slightly more visual. As a lot of neurodivergent customers find it difficult to absorb or follow colors that are overly bright or contrasting, <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">toning down your tones <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">will make a big difference.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To avoid jarring your users with garish colors or clashing tones, you should choose a simple color scheme that you can roll out across every key page of your online store.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A little splash of color can work well, but use it sparingly. Typically, single hue tones or pastel coloring will make your store easier (and more calming) to navigate. Working with a plain white page background is also a good idea when it comes to making sure your use of colors isn\u2019t confusing or overwhelming.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As a rule of thumb, using a maximum of three colors on any one webpage will work well and improve the overall neurodivergent <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/essential-ux-and-microcopy-writing-tips-to-drive-conversions-and-increase-sales\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">user experience (UX)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The best way to use your colors and make your web design as logical as possible is by assigning them to different page elements\u2014for example:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Color 1 for headings and subheadings<br \/>\n<\/b><b>Color 2 for call to action (CTA) buttons<br \/>\n<\/b><b>Color 3 for anchor text or hyperlinks<\/b><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1807\" src=\"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/unnamed-7.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1600\" height=\"640\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/unnamed-7.png 1600w, https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/unnamed-7-300x120.png 300w, https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/unnamed-7-1024x410.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/unnamed-7-768x307.png 768w, https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/unnamed-7-1536x614.png 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zendesk.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Screenshot<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This example from the tech brand Zendesk is worth noting as it showcases how the subtle, consistent use of pastel tones makes a webpage far easier to follow without overwhelming users. Here, the heading is constructed with additional colors that are subtle and blend well with the rest of the page\u2019s design.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Add practical visuals to complement your store\u2019s messaging<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Much like your store\u2019s color scheme, when adding graphics or imagery to a webpage, it\u2019s vital that you keep your visuals clear, free from clutter, and avoid any obscure imagery (be as literal as possible).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To do so, when choosing or designing your visual elements, you should avoid anything too bright and make sure that your graphics or photographs have no more than two main points of focus.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your imagery should complement your copy and serve to bring your messaging to life. To make your visuals extra accessible, offering a written description of what\u2019s happening in each picture and adding <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.reliablesoft.net\/alt-text\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">alt text<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is also a good idea.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1808\" src=\"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/unnamed-8.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1600\" height=\"436\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/unnamed-8.png 1600w, https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/unnamed-8-300x82.png 300w, https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/unnamed-8-1024x279.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/unnamed-8-768x209.png 768w, https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/unnamed-8-1536x419.png 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nike.com\/ca\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Source<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This example from Nike is effective, as the imagery and messaging work in harmony to deliver a clear and concise message to the user. The color scheme is subtle, and the imagery offers a clear point of focus, showing two happy Nike Membership holders. Clean, clear, and consistent.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Don\u2019t confuse with your call to action (CTA) copy or buttons<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019ve led a good portion of your users to one of your CTA buttons, you must be doing something right. But remember, if you get your CTA messaging wrong, you won\u2019t enjoy a healthy flow of sales or conversions.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your CTA buttons or messaging are vital because it tells your users what to do next or lets them know why they should click through. Connecting clear and punchy CTA messaging is especially important for neurodivergent customers.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To win with your CTAs, avoiding any designs that are awkward or clunky is essential. It\u2019s also worth noting (or reiterating) that your CTA button\u2019s color choice should be subtle and consistent with the rest of the page (no floating neon \u201cbuy now\u201d signs).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The more literal your CTA messaging, the better. Here are a couple of examples to help you on your quest for success:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>What not to do:<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>&lt;Click This for More&gt;<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This text is long-winded, clunky, and provides no clarity on why the user should click or what to expect next, which is vital for many neurodivergent customers.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>What to do:<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>&lt;Shop for Belts&gt;<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here, the text is snappy, rolls off the tongue, and tells the users exactly what to do next or what they can expect from the next stage of their journey. In this case, it\u2019s a choice of belts to browse and potentially buy.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Offer neurodivergent customers accessible content formats<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Last but certainly not least, when making your store\u2019s content more accessible to neurodivergent customers, you should aim to offer additional formats, including:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>On-page audio reader tools that narrate your copy to users as they navigate your store<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>Customization bars or functionality that allows customers to tweak page elements like brightness, tones, or text size<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>Descriptive subtitles to make your video content easier to follow and understand<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>Tip: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you&#8217;re producing content for your online store, following the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/adacompliantwebsite.net\/ada-and-wcag-compliance\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ADA compliance and WCAG guidelines<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> will ensure the end result is as accessible as possible.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>Final Thoughts<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Inclusion should exist everywhere. As a modern retail or eCommerce business owner, making your store\u2019s content more accessible will showcase your commitment to inclusion while opening up your products or services to more customers. It\u2019s a situation where everyone wins.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We hope this guide helps you make your store\u2019s content more inclusive and for more business-boosting advice, check out our <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/10-tips-on-creating-a-strong-visual-identity-for-your-brand\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">10 top tips on creating a strong visual identity for your brand<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A guide to making sure your content is clear, concise, and valuable. &nbsp; Source Despite the fact that around one in seven people is neurodivergent, there is a significant lack of reasonable adjustments available in both the physical and digital world. When it comes to web design, an alarming number of brands fail to provide [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":1809,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1803","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1803","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1803"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1803\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1809"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1803"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1803"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1803"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}