Month: July 2022

Top 6 Website Accessibility Tips

1. Opt for an accessibility-friendly content management system.

You can build your website with the aid of a variety of content management systems. Although there are many additional possibilities, popular examples include Drupal and WordPress.

Make sure you select an accessible theme or template after selecting a CMS that meets your needs. For information on accessibility and suggestions for developing accessible content and layouts for that theme, refer to the theme’s documentation. When choosing modules, plugins, or widgets, be sure to adhere to the same rules.

Make sure that components that create content are supported, such as video players and editing toolbars. For instance, headers and accessible tables should be available in editing toolbars, and closed captioning should be available in video players. Additionally, the CMS administrative tools (such those for writing blog posts or leaving comments) have to be available.

2. Use headings effectively to arrange the content’s structure.

The header structure can be used by screen reader users to traverse text. The content of your website will be properly arranged and understandable to screen readers if headers (h1>, h2>, etc.) are used correctly and strategically.

Make careful you use CSS to distinguish presentation from structure and to keep heads in the proper sequence (Cascading Style Sheets). Choose a header only if it visually appeals to you rather than styling your text with a new CSS class to avoid confusing screen reader users.

examples of how to utilize headings correctly:

  • The page’s main title should be formatted as h1>. The title of the website and the titles of individual pages should be the only things you use a “h1” for.
  • To organize and highlight the structure of your information, use headings.
  • Avoid skipping heading levels (such as moving from a h1 to a h3) as screen reader users may assume that there is no content.

3. Include appropriate alt text when adding images.

So that screen reader users can comprehend the message that is being sent by the usage of images on the page, alt text should be provided for all images. This is especially crucial for photos that provide information (such as infographics). When writing the alt text, it should include the message you want the image to express, and if the image has text, the text should be included in the alt as well.

The only exception to this rule is when an image is used only for decoration; in this situation, the alt text can be kept empty (link is external) so that the screen reader user is not diverted from the page’s more significant information.

If a link’s only content is an image, the screen reader will read the file name if no alt text is included. When using images as links, make sure to always include alt text.

4. Give each of your links a name that is distinct and informative.

Use wording that accurately conveys where the link will lead when you include links in your article. It is not deemed descriptive to use “click here,” therefore it is inefficient for screen reader users.

Visually impaired people can use their screen readers to search for links in the same way that sighted users do. Screen reader users frequently fail to see the link in the context of the rest of the page as a result. Using descriptive language effectively allows the user of a screen reader to understand the context of links.

Since screen reader users frequently utilize the first letter of the link to search the links list, the link’s most distinctive content should be displayed first.

If you are directing people to a website titled “About Us,” for instance:

  • Avoid using the phrase “Click here to read about our company.”
  • Say, “Read About Us to discover more about our organization,” instead.

5. Use color with caution.

Red-green color deficiency, the most prevalent type, affects about 8% of the general population. These people won’t be able to understand your message if you only use these colors (particularly to highlight required fields in a form).

When used to distinguish and arrange your material, color has a significant positive impact on other populations of individuals with disabilities, notably users with learning problems.

Utilize color, but also other visual cues like an asterisk or question mark to appease both groups. Ensure that you visually separate content chunks from one another as well (such as whitespace or borders).

In order to make your page as visually accessible as possible to those with limited vision or different degrees of color blindness, you can test color contrast using a variety of techniques.

6. Provide accessibility for dynamic material.

Screen readers might not be aware when content changes dynamically (that is, without refreshing the website). This includes popups, lightboxes, in-page updates, screen overlays, and modal dialogs. Page overlays may entrap keyboard-only users. Users of magnification software could have their focus focused on the incorrect area of the page.

Making these features available is simple. ARIA roles and alerts as well as front-end development frameworks that promote accessibility are options.

Make sure that any video players you employ can be operated with a keyboard and that they don’t automatically start playing (non-consensual sound). Also required are transcript choices for hearing-impaired viewers and closed captioning for all videos.

Ensure that each image on your slideshow-containing website includes alt text and can be accessed using the keyboard. Make careful to test for accessibility if you are utilizing any special widgets (such a calendar picker or drag-and-drops).

Markustudio a freelance web designer in Manchester providing web design, logo branding, print, SEO and digital design services. If you are interested in any help when it comes Web Design & Development. Feel free to Contact Us. 

A Landlord’s guide to unoccupied property security

Vacant-Property-Security

If you are a landlord, it is inevitable that there will be periods where your rental properties are unoccupied.

Whether home improvement work is being done or you are waiting on new tenants moving in, it is vital that security is maintained throughout the void period.

To help protect your investment and keep your property as safe as possible at this time follow these top vacant property security tips:

Do a full inspection

No two properties are the same and the key to developing an effective security plan is to inspect the entire property before leaving.

Not only should inspections be conducted at the start of the void period but, if possible, at regular intervals throughout to ensure the ongoing maintenance of your security measures.

Some of the key things to look for during a void property inspection include:

Locks

Check that all doors and windows are locked, including those attached to garages and sheds.

Many intruders are accomplished lock pickers so make sure to install the latest most secure locks and consult with a professional security firm who will be able to advise on the most effective units.

Maintain alarms and CCTV

Installing burglar alarms and CCTV systems are the most effective measures you can take to guard against criminal activity on a void property, but only if they are in good working order.

Check the condition and operation of your alarms and CCTV on a regular basis or select a monitored security system that will be maintained by a professional security firm.

Review Security Footage

A quick look around your property can only tell you so much and reviewing your CCTV footage is a good way to ensure you haven’t missed any security breaches.

If you do find an issue, such as a break-in, CCTV is the best way to determine exactly what happened, how your security was compromised, and what needs to be done to prevent a similar event from occurring in the future.

Deter Criminals

Active preventative measures such as alarms and security locks are great but the most effective way to prevent crime from occurring in your vacant property is to deter intruders from targeting you in the first place.

Here are some of the best ways to deter burglars from attempting to gain access to your property:

Install Lighting

Lighting is a good way to give the appearance of activity even when no one is currently inside the property.

If no one is able to visit the property on a regular basis consider installing lights on a timer that come on automatically to mimic those of similar occupied buildings.

Another option is smart lights which can be activated remotely via a mobile app.

Avoid the common signs of an empty home

Experienced burglars will no exactly what to look for when scouting out vacant homes.

Taking steps to prevent these signs being present on your property is a good idea.

For example, diverting post is one way to avoid letters piling up outside the property, a clear indication no-one is home.

If you are friendly with the neighbours consider asking them to park their car on your driveway whilst the property is vacant to avoid an empty appearance and ask a trusted person to visit on a semi-regular basis.

Make your security highly visible

CCTV and burglar alarms are extremely effective deterrents to criminals, but only if they are aware of their existence.

Install signs on the exterior of your property to alert those approaching to the presence of CCTV and install the alarm box in a visible location on the front of your property (high up to avoid tampering) so those approaching will be unable to miss it.

Motion activated lighting is another great visual deterrent to potential intruders who will likely turn heel and make a swift retreat if they are suddenly illuminated for the entire street to see.

Get suitable insurance

It can be quite difficult to secure insurance on a vacant property due to the perceived higher risk than those which are currently lived in but doing so is essential to protecting yourself against nasty expensive surprises later on.

Check with your current insurance provider to see if they will cover your property whilst it is not being lived in and ask for clarification on exactly what is covered and for how long.

Be aware that any property insurance you do have will probably be invalid after a relatively short period of unoccupancy so this is something you should resolve as soon as possible.

Get in Touch

For more information on vacant property security, monitored alarm systems, or to arrange for a security professional to come and do an inspection of your property, get in touch with www.v-360.co.uk and our expert team will be delighted to help.

15 Strategies to Increase Brand Awareness

Strategies to Increase Brand Awareness

To increase brand awareness, there are many ways to market your business. You can use creative content marketing, Inbound marketing, Word-of-mouth marketing, and guest blogging. All of these are great ways to get the word out about your brand and reach new customers. Inbound marketing is one of the most effective forms of marketing, but it can be difficult to get started. Read on to discover 15 strategies to increase brand awareness. Let’s start!

Inbound marketing

One of the best ways to increase brand awareness for your business is to use inbound marketing strategies. This type of marketing strategy involves reaching your target audience with relevant content, and presenting your company as an expert in your field. The following are some tips to increase brand awareness through inbound marketing. Read on to learn how to implement these effective strategies for brand awareness. Then, start creating content and presenting it to your target audience!

The first step in developing brand awareness is to understand your target audience. Your marketing strategy should target your ideal customers with keywords that serve their intent. Make sure to target people who are already familiar with your brand, and you will have a better chance of creating brand loyalty. By using the right keywords and phrases, you will be able to identify friction within your Ideal Customer Persona (ICP) and address it accordingly. Similarly, your messaging should speak directly to your solution architecture and allow your system to reach its ideal state.

15 Strategies to Increase Brand Awareness

Word-of-mouth marketing

The power of word-of-mouth marketing is undeniable. People are more likely to purchase a product or service if a friend or family member has enjoyed the experience. This kind of marketing is one of the most effective types of advertising because recommendations based on trust are the most credible and influential. Word-of-mouth marketing can increase brand awareness, increase customer loyalty, and generate higher ROI for marketing activities.

This form of marketing is free, and is most effective when consumers are able to share their experiences. Customers talk about the brand in their everyday conversations. It is an excellent form of advertising and can spread to a wide audience quickly and easily. In fact, 71% of people surveyed say they trust consumer reviews and are willing to buy a product or service because of them. Even better, it can be done by targeting your target market.

Creative content marketing

Content marketing is an excellent way to raise brand awareness, which is critical if you want to grow your business. Brand awareness is a measurement of consumer familiarity with a brand or organization. It ranges from knowing its name to encountering its product. To be successful, new brands must first get their foot in the door by acquiring more customers and increasing its visibility. Here are 15 creative content marketing strategies to increase brand awareness.

Social media: Using social media to engage with your audience is a great way to gain brand awareness and improve search rankings. Content marketing has also been proven to improve visibility among target audiences and establish authority. Make sure to make articles as interesting as possible – between 400 and 600 words is a good length. Moreover, you should use social media to target your audience. You can use Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter to promote helpful content to increase brand awareness. And don’t forget to add visual content, as it is the next generation of content. Click here to construct a business with onshore company setup Dubai.

Guest blogging

As a digital marketer, guest blogging can be beneficial for you. Not only does it help you establish a positive relationship with another website owner, but it also helps you build your network with others in the industry. When choosing a site to post your guest blog on, make sure that the website already has an active community of followers. This way, you will be more likely to find quality content and receive exposure for your company.

To start your guest blogging campaign, you should first find a site that accepts guest posts and then make sure that it matches your goals. If the site you are writing for doesn’t allow for guest posts, look for a different site that allows them. Make sure that the content will be relevant to the readers of that site, and that it will help them reach their goals. You can also look up a list of commonly searched search queries to find out what keywords people are using when searching for your niche or company.

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