Your website is one of the most critical tools in your vacation rental business. But if it isn't designed for accessibility, you could be missing out on bookings from a wide range of travelers, including the one in four U.S. adults living with a disability, according to the CDC. Accessibility features like screen reader compatibility, keyboard navigation, and clear design not only make your site usable for everyone, but they also bring powerful benefits in a competitive market.
Accessible websites rank higher in search engines, attract a broader audience, and are less likely to face legal challenges. In fact, according to a survey conducted by click away pound, "71% of disabled customers with access needs will click away from a website that they find difficult to use." Making your site accessible isn’t just the right thing to do; it’s a smart move for your bottom line.
In this guide, we'll walk through why accessibility matters, how to check if your current website is accessible, and what steps you can take to improve. We'll also show you how OwnerRez Hosted Websites are built with accessibility in mind, so you can stay focused on hosting while we handle the technical details.
Why Accessibility Matters for Your Vacation Rental Website
Reach More Potential Guests
An accessible website allows all guests, including those with visual, motor, and cognitive impairments, to browse, navigate, and book with ease. This means more potential bookings and an equitable experience for everyone.
Improve Your SEO
Search engines like Google reward websites that use proper structure, alt text, and semantic markup, all of which overlap with best practices for accessibility. That means an accessible website can boost your visibility in search results, especially for direct bookings.
Avoid Legal Risks
Website accessibility lawsuits under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) have risen significantly in recent years, including several cases against small vacation rental businesses. An accessible website helps protect you from becoming a target of legal action.
How to Check If Your Website Is Accessible
Before you can improve your website, you need to know where it stands. Here are a few simple ways to evaluate your current site:
Use a Free Accessibility Checker
Start with a tool like WAVE or Google Lighthouse to scan and generate a report for your website.
Navigate with Just a Keyboard
Try moving through your site using only the Tab, Shift+Tab, and Enter keys. Can you access every link and interactive element? If not, it needs improvement.
Use a Screen Reader
Install a screen reader (like VoiceOver, installed by default on Mac or NVDA on Windows) and try browsing your website. Does it read everything clearly and in a logical order? Screen reader compatibility is key for guests with visual impairments.
Making Your Website More Accessible
Once you’ve identified the issues on your vacation rental website, here are the most important areas to focus on:
Add Alt Text to Images
Alt text describes what’s in an image so that screen readers can convey the information to users who can’t see it. Every image on your site, whether it’s your beachfront view or a cozy bedroom, should include descriptive alt text.
Use Clear, Semantic Markup
Organize your site using proper HTML tags such as H1 for page titles and H2 or H3 for section headings. This helps screen readers navigate your content and improves your SEO, making your site easier to find and understand.
Write Descriptive Content
Do not rely on photos alone to showcase your space. Clearly describe your amenities and unique property details in the listing description.
Ensure Color Contrast
Choose text and background colors with strong contrast to improve readability for users with low vision. Good contrast also makes your site easier to use for everyone, particularly on mobile devices or in bright lighting.
How OwnerRez Hosted Websites Help
Making your website accessible might sound overwhelming, but with OwnerRez Hosted Websites, accessibility is built in from the start. You don’t have to worry about complicated technical guidelines or coding, OwnerRez handles all that behind the scenes so you can focus on hosting your guests and growing your business.
Captions and Alt Text
OwnerRez automatically converts photo tags into accessible alt text. Just add captions in the photo editor and OwnerRez handles the rest. This makes your visuals screen reader friendly for all guests. Check out this example from Bear Valley.
OwnerRez Photo Editor
WAVE - Confirming the Alternative Text
Built In Semantic Structure
OwnerRez Hosted Websites are built using semantic HTML that follows accessibility best practices. The page headings, sections, and navigation are already structured in a way that screen readers and search engines understand.
Customizable Descriptions
You can easily add or edit property descriptions to include important details that may otherwise be buried in images or icons. This gives all users, and search engines, better insight into your rental offerings. Every change you make in OwnerRez instantly syncs with all of your connected channels and your hosted website so you don't have to waste time logging into each platform.
Color Contrast Tools
OwnerRez Hosted Websites allow you to select themes and color palettes with accessible contrast ratios. This ensures your site remains readable for all users.
Final Thoughts
Accessibility is not just about compliance, it’s about creating a better experience for all guests and opening your business to a wider audience. From improving your search rankings to making your direct booking website easier to navigate, an accessible website benefits everyone involved. That's why OwnerRez builds accessibility into every direct bookings website, so you don’t have to worry about the technical stuff and can focus on giving guests an unforgettable experience and growing your business. See for yourself how the OwnerRez website works for your vacation rentals.
FAQs for Vacation Rental Website Accessibility
Q: Why should I make my vacation rental website accessible?
A: Making your website accessible helps you reach more potential guests, including the one in four U.S. adults living with a disability, according to the CDC. It also improves your SEO and reduces the risk of legal issues.
Q: What are the key accessibility features for a vacation rental website?
A: Important features include alt text for images, proper heading structure, keyboard navigation, readable color contrast, and clear written descriptions of your property and amenities.
Q: How can I check if my vacation rental website is accessible?
A: Use free tools like WAVE or Google Lighthouse to scan your site. These tools highlight accessibility issues and can suggest ways to improve.
Q: What happens if my direct booking website is not accessible?
A: You could be missing out on bookings and risk frustrating or excluding guests. There’s also the possibility of facing legal complaints if your site doesn’t meet accessibility guidelines.
Q: Can making my website more accessible improve SEO?
A: Yes! Many accessibility best practices like using structured headings and alt text also help search engines better understand and rank your site, making it easier for travelers to find your vacation rental website.
Q: Does accessibility only help people with disabilities?
A: No, it benefits everyone. Clear design, readable text, and mobile-friendly features make your vacation rental website easier to use for all guests.
Q: Do OwnerRez websites support accessibility?
A: OwnerRez Hosted Websites are built with accessibility in mind. From semantic HTML to customizable content and color themes with strong contrast, OwnerRez helps ensure your site is user-friendly and compliant, all without requiring extra technical work from you.
Q: What accessibility tools are built into OwnerRez vacation rental websites?
A: OwnerRez includes features like photo captioning (which creates alt text automatically), accessible color theme options, and semantic HTML. This is all designed to meet accessibility standards and improve user experience.
Q: Why should I choose an OwnerRez Hosted Website if I care about accessibility?
A: If accessibility is a priority, OwnerRez gives you a strong head start. Instead of worrying about complex web standards or hiring a developer, you get a site that is built with accessibility in mind from day one.