14 September 2006

Using accessibility principles when designing a website could mean enhancing search engine performance, an expert at iCrossing has claimed.

A website could appear higher in search engine listings if the website is compliant with World Wide Web Consortium guidelines on accessibility, asserted Rob Garner, writing in Search Insider.

This could mean that a website receives more hits, potentially creating higher sales and generating more revenue, as consumers often use search engines such as Google to find products and services.

The expert explained that search engines and user agents are "blind", therefore a well designed site allows for indexing and crawling by multiple agents such as screen readers and search robots.

"This story is still unfolding, but webmasters, corporations and search firms should continue to monitor developments very closely; they should also evaluate how their current design and natural search approaches could be impacted by the potential for website accessibility compliance," Mr Garner concluded.

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