Accessible Website – Implementation with HubSpot

What is an Accessible Website?

Digital accessibility is becoming increasingly important today and goes beyond just designing for people with disabilities; it also includes groups like older adults. For example, a study by the ZAV shows that in Germany alone, half of the population wears glasses, which means they are already limited in terms of "vision."

An accessible website is one that can be used by all people, regardless of their individual abilities, disabilities, or technical limitations. This is made possible in practice when there is a high level of so-called web accessibility.

Is Accessibility Legally Required from June 2025? – BSFG 2025

Starting June 28, 2025, accessibility will be mandatory in many areas under the Barrier-Free Accessibility Strengthening Act (BFSG). The law implements the European Accessibility Act (EAA) and requires that all hardware and software must be accessible to people with disabilities. Companies must comply with accessibility requirements and adhere to the state of the art. Micro-enterprises are partially exempt. In case of violations, authorities can remove products or services from the market. (Source: BFSG, https://www.barrierefreiheit-dienstekonsolidierung.bund.de/Webs/PB/DE/gesetze-und-richtlinien/barrierefreiheitsstaerkungsgesetz/barrierefreiheitsstaerkungsgesetz-node.html, 19.12.2023)

What makes a website accessible?

To make a website accessible, there are the so-called WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines).

The WCAG standardizes accessibility and thus accessibility on an international level, providing recommendations to ensure that websites and digital applications are accessible to all people, including those with disabilities. The WCAG are divided into four principles and span several dozen pages

Implementing Accessibility with HubSpot
Tools and Features in HubSpot to Support Accessibility

Creating Accessible Forms

Forms in HubSpot can be equipped with accessibility features. Use descriptive labels, clear placeholder text, and logical tab orders. Especially in custom solutions, purely visual cues, such as colors to indicate required fields, should be avoided. Instead, clarifying text or symbols can be added.

Creating accessible navigation

Intuitive and clear navigation is essential. Use HubSpot's features to create clear and logical menus that are easy to navigate using a keyboard or screen readers. Breadcrumb navigation and a well-structured page hierarchy help users find information more easily.

Tips for content creation in HubSpot

In addition to the points already mentioned, there are further tips to keep in mind when creating an accessible website.

Consideration of WCAG Guidelines from the Design Stage

Ensure that the design of your website or redesign meets the WCAG criteria from the outset. You can include this in your project requirements. Alternatively, you can choose pre-built themes and templates that may already meet these criteria.

Optimizing Contrast and Color Choice

The color contrast between text and background should meet WCAG requirements to ensure readability for people with visual impairments. HubSpot offers color tools that assist in selecting accessible color schemes. Additionally, tools like Adobe Color can be used for color selection and accessibility. According to WCAG, the contrast ratio should not be below 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text.

FAQ: Accessible Websites with HubSpot 

1. How can I check whether my existing HubSpot website is accessible?
Start by reviewing keyboard navigation, image descriptions, heading structure, form labels and color contrast. Automated accessibility testing tools can identify common issues, but manual testing is also needed.

2. Do I need to rebuild my HubSpot website to make it accessible?
Not necessarily. Many accessibility issues can be addressed by updating existing content, templates, modules and navigation, although more complex design or code changes may be required in some cases.

3. Can a HubSpot theme guarantee an accessible website?
No. A theme may provide an accessible starting point, but custom modules, design changes and content can introduce barriers. The complete website needs to be tested after implementation and whenever significant changes are made.

4. How can I make HubSpot forms easier for everyone to use?
Use clear field labels, logical tab order and descriptive error messages. Make sure required fields are identified with text or symbols rather than color alone, and test the form using only a keyboard.

5. Does website accessibility also improve SEO?
Accessibility practices such as descriptive image text, logical headings and clear content can support search engine understanding and usability. However, accessibility does not automatically guarantee higher search rankings.

6. How often should I review website accessibility?
Review accessibility before launching a new website or major update, and repeat checks after changes to templates, modules or content. Regular automated and manual testing helps identify new issues as the website evolves.

Conclusion

Website accessibility is an important part of creating an inclusive and user friendly digital experience. With HubSpot, businesses can improve accessibility through clear navigation, accessible forms, descriptive image text, structured headings, sufficient color contrast and mobile friendly design.

However, using HubSpot alone does not guarantee that a website meets accessibility standards or legal requirements. Regular testing, ongoing improvements and consideration of the WCAG guidelines throughout the design and content creation process are essential.

Would you like to make your HubSpot website more accessible? kkvision supports you in reviewing and improving your website, identifying accessibility barriers and implementing suitable solutions.