An inaccessible website doesn’t just exclude potential customers—it can open your business to lawsuits and penalties. The good news? ADA compliance and accessibility are easier than you think. Today, I’ll walk you through simple ways to make your site welcoming to everyone—and protect your business in the process.
Do You Use WordPress? Do You Have Cron Jobs Running Or Broken?
WordPress uses “cron jobs” to schedule automated tasks-like sending appointment reminders or publishing scheduled posts. Sometimes, plugin updates or server settings break these cron jobs without you realizing it. Make a point to test that these automations still work. Missed emails, reminders, or cleanups can lead to lost sales and frustrated customers.
Review And Update The Latest Most Secure Versions Of Your Server Software, CMS, Plugins, Themes, Embedded Tools
Running outdated software leaves your website vulnerable to security breaches. Your CMS (like WordPress), plugins, and themes should be updated regularly. Even your hosting server software (such as PHP) can become outdated. Before you update, back everything up. After updating, test to confirm your site still works as expected. Keeping everything current helps protect your site and your customers.
Understand All The Points Of Caching For Your Website
Caching makes your website load faster by saving ready-to-go versions of pages. But caching can happen in multiple places-your server, your content delivery network, your browser, and even DNS providers. When you update your site, some visitors might still see old content. Understand how to clear cache layers when you publish changes so customers always get the most recent version.
Block The Bad Guys From Getting To Your Website – DNS And Web Application Firewall Best Practices
Consider adding layers of protection to your site. Services like Cloudflare can block malicious traffic before it even reaches your server. A Web Application Firewall (WAF) adds another barrier, stopping attacks like brute-force logins and SQL injections. These tools are affordable and can save you thousands in cleanup costs if your site is compromised.
Confirm That Your Site Terms, Policies, Cookies And Customer Data Is Compliant
Privacy laws like GDPR and CCPA require clear disclosures about data collection and tracking cookies. Make sure you have up-to-date policies and that your website displays a cookie consent banner if needed. Payment processors may also require specific terms. Reviewing your compliance regularly reduces legal risks and builds trust with visitors.
Bring Your Website Into ADA Compliance To Reach More Customers And Avoid Costly Legal Fees
Businesses open to the public-including e-commerce-are increasingly expected to have ADA-compliant websites. This means ensuring people with disabilities can navigate your site. Noncompliance can result in lawsuits or fines. Fortunately, affordable tools and plugins can overlay accessibility features like text resizing, contrast adjustments, and keyboard navigation. Confirm your site meets guidelines and talk to an attorney if you’re unsure.
Prevent Spam From Your Website Forms Using ReCAPTCHA
Spam bots love to abuse contact forms. Google’s reCAPTCHA helps block fake submissions while staying user-friendly. Whether you use the “I’m not a robot” checkbox or invisible reCAPTCHA, enabling it can drastically cut spam. Regularly check your forms for abuse. A sudden spike in spam can overwhelm your inbox and disrupt customer communication.
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Matt Yerkes
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614-594-0046