How to Design for Accessibility in Wix Studio

Brandon Groce
Jul 15
14 min read

Updated: Aug 18

Creating accessible websites is not just a moral responsibility - it’s also a smart business move. Over 27% of U.S. adults live with disabilities, yet fewer than 4% of websites are even partially accessible. This gap leads to $6.9 billion in lost revenue annually. Accessibility benefits everyone, from users with disabilities to mobile users and those with temporary challenges like poor lighting. Plus, legal requirements like the European Accessibility Act (enforced June 28, 2025) make compliance non-negotiable.

Wix Studio simplifies accessibility with tools like the Accessibility Wizard, keyboard navigation settings, and ARIA attributes. These features help ensure your site meets WCAG 2.2 standards. With 73.4% of accessible sites seeing increased traffic, prioritizing accessibility is a win-win for users and businesses alike. Here's how you can leverage Wix Studio's tools to create user-friendly, compliant websites.

Accessibility 101: Build your accessible website | Full Course | Wix Learn

Accessibility Standards and Requirements

Accessibility standards, shaped by the ADA and WCAG, ensure websites are usable for everyone while meeting legal requirements. Let’s break down how these two frameworks work together to influence accessible design in the U.S. and beyond.

ADA and WCAG Guidelines

The ADA, enacted in 1990, is a U.S. federal law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities, including in digital spaces. It applies to public accommodations and employers and is enforced by the Department of Justice (DOJ).

On the other hand, WCAG is a set of international guidelines developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). These standards provide the technical foundation for accessible web design. The most recent version, WCAG 2.2, was released in October 2023 and builds upon WCAG 2.1, which U.S. courts frequently reference as the benchmark for ADA compliance at Level AA [3].

Here’s a quick comparison of the two:

Aspect	ADA	WCAG
Type	U.S. Federal Law	International Standard
Focus	Non-discrimination (includes digital access)	Web content accessibility
Applicability	U.S. – Public accommodations, employers, services	Global – Digital content (websites, apps, documents)
Development Body	U.S. Congress	World Wide Web Consortium (W3C)
Conformance Levels	No specific conformance levels	Three levels: A, AA, AAA (A is basic; AAA is the highest)
Enforcement	U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)	Self-regulated but referenced in legal cases
Legal Authority	Enforceable law	Not legally binding, but widely adopted worldwide

The DOJ encourages using WCAG guidelines when evaluating digital accessibility [4]. WCAG’s principles - - provide a framework for designing accessible content. These principles cover features like screen reader compatibility and keyboard navigation, which not only ensure compliance but also improve user experience - key considerations for every Wix Studio designer.

Why Accessibility Matters for Designers and Users

Accessibility isn’t just about meeting legal requirements - it’s also about creating better experiences for everyone. In 2023, 96.3% of the top one million homepages failed to meet ADA standards, with each site averaging 50 accessibility issues [5]. This is a missed opportunity, especially when you consider the numbers: 61 million Americans live with disabilities, and 71 million Baby Boomers collectively control $548 billion in discretionary spending [5].

Accessible design benefits all users, not just those with disabilities. Simpler, more intuitive interfaces make websites easier to use for everyone. And there’s an added bonus: many accessibility practices, like proper heading structures and descriptive alt text, align with SEO best practices, helping websites rank higher in search engines.

For Wix Studio designers, mastering accessibility standards is essential for creating websites that are inclusive and compliant. While Wix provides tools to simplify WCAG compliance, it’s crucial for designers to take an active role. As Wix puts it, "Wix has done all coding on your site to make it as accessible as possible. As a site owner, you are responsible for making sure the content and design are also accessible" [1]. This means carefully considering factors like color contrast, navigation, and media elements to ensure full compliance. By understanding these standards, designers can fully leverage Wix Studio’s features to build truly inclusive websites.

Using Wix Studio's Accessibility Tools

Wix Studio comes equipped with tools designed to make identifying and fixing accessibility issues simple and efficient. These features are built to align with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.0) and are continuously updated to reflect WCAG 2.1 and 2.2 standards [2]. By using these tools, you can ensure your website meets accessibility requirements while streamlining the compliance process.

Why is this important? Because 15% of the global population - about 1 billion people - face barriers to accessing online content due to disabilities, and shoppers with disabilities represent a market with spending power exceeding $6 trillion [2]. Below, we'll explore how features like the Accessibility Wizard, template customization, and real-time editing can make your website more inclusive.

The Accessibility Wizard: Identifying and Fixing Issues

The Accessibility Wizard is your go-to tool for detecting and resolving accessibility issues on your website. It scans your site, identifies problems, and presents them in an easy-to-understand format, making the compliance process much smoother.

To use the wizard, navigate to Settings > Accessibility Wizard, then click "Scan Site." You'll see two tabs: "Detected issues" and "Manual tasks" [8].

The "Detected issues" tab highlights automatically identified problems, such as missing focus indicators, improper headings, or lack of alt text. For each issue, the wizard suggests specific fixes, which can be applied directly through the wizard or in the editor [8].
The "Manual tasks" tab lists items requiring human judgment, like ensuring descriptive link text, avoiding color-only indicators, and confirming content visibility when zoomed. It also prompts you to create an accessibility statement and review color contrast manually [8].

After addressing the issues, re-run the wizard to ensure your site remains compliant as it evolves [8].

Customizing Templates for Accessibility

Once the Accessibility Wizard has scanned your site, you can refine your website further by customizing templates. Wix provides templates with built-in accessibility features, such as proper heading structures and color contrast [10]. However, these templates are just a starting point. Advanced features, like custom ARIA labels and detailed alt text, often need to be added manually [10].

When choosing a template, opt for one that is easy to customize, with simple fonts, clear color schemes, and appropriate imagery [11]. After selecting a template, run the Accessibility Wizard to identify any remaining issues. Focus on key areas like:

Writing descriptive link and button text that clearly explains their purpose.
Avoiding reliance on color alone to convey information - use patterns, icons, or text as additional indicators [8].
Ensuring all content remains visible when zoomed in, which is essential for users with visual impairments.

You might also consider adding an accessibility statement to show your commitment to creating an inclusive website [8].

Real-Time Accessibility Editing

Wix Studio's real-time editor allows you to make accessibility adjustments on the fly, seamlessly integrating these updates into your design process. This feature eliminates the need for separate reviews, letting you address issues as they arise.

The real-time editor includes built-in accessibility settings, such as smart focus rings and skip-to-content options [2]. You can also:

Add alt text to images.
Adjust color contrast.
Configure keyboard navigation settings [8].

For enhanced support with assistive technologies, the editor enables you to add ARIA attributes, which provide additional context for screen readers and other devices [2].

Additionally, the Accessibility Monitor in your site's dashboard works in tandem with the wizard, continuously scanning your live site for new issues. You'll receive notifications if any accessibility concerns arise, ensuring ongoing compliance [9].

Keep in mind that the wizard supports only your site's primary language, so if you have a multilingual site, you'll need to account for additional accessibility considerations [8].

Adding Core Accessibility Features to Your Designs

Now that you've explored Wix Studio's accessibility tools, it's time to put those insights into action. By incorporating essential accessibility features, you can ensure your website is usable for everyone - including the 61 million U.S. adults with disabilities who hold considerable purchasing power [14]. These features build upon the tools already available in Wix Studio.

Making Your Design Visually Accessible

Visual accessibility is all about creating designs that work for users with visual impairments. With around 300 million people worldwide experiencing color blindness - most of them men [15] - your color choices can significantly affect user experience.

Start by ensuring all text meets WCAG 2.1 AA color contrast standards [12]. Tools like the WebAIM Contrast Checker, Stark plugin, Adobe XD, Figma, or an Accessible Color Palette Builder can help you verify color combinations. This not only ensures compliance but also makes your designs functional under various lighting conditions and for people with different visual abilities.

Avoid relying solely on color to convey meaning. Use textures, patterns, or icons to reinforce information. For instance, if red is used to indicate an error in a form, add an error icon and descriptive text to make it clear for those who may struggle to differentiate colors.

Wix Studio’s Colorblind Simulator is a handy tool to preview how your site appears to users with various types of color blindness [13]. Use it frequently, especially when working with tricky color combinations like red and green, blue and green, or yellow and light green [15]. If you must use these combinations, adjust the shades to create more contrast [15].

Font sizing is another critical factor. Use relative units like or instead of fixed pixels to allow users to adjust text size for better readability [12].

Accessibility goes beyond visuals - smooth navigation is equally important. Make sure users can navigate your site using any input method. Keyboard navigation is especially vital. Test your site by pressing Tab to confirm that all interactive elements are reachable [6]. Wix Studio’s smart focus rings make it easy for users to identify which element is currently selected.

Add a "Skip to Content" feature so users can bypass repetitive navigation elements - this is particularly helpful for those with mobility challenges.

Descriptive link text is another must. Replace vague phrases like "click here" or "read more" with specific descriptions such as "Download our 2024 accessibility guide." This helps screen reader users understand where the link will take them.

When designing forms, focus on proper labeling, logical structure, and clear error messages. Make sure forms are fully keyboard-navigable and include clear instructions for required fields and formatting.

Minimize unnecessary motion in your designs. Features like autoplaying videos or parallax scrolling can be difficult for users with motor-related conditions [16][7]. Always provide controls to pause or adjust motion [16][7].

Making Media Accessible

Accessible media ensures everyone can engage with your content. Always include descriptive alt text for images [12]. If an image is purely decorative, use empty alt text (alt="") so assistive technologies can skip it. For complex visuals like charts, provide detailed descriptions in the surrounding text or offer an alternative format.

Videos should include captions and audio descriptions [12]. Ensure your video player has keyboard-accessible controls and avoid autoplaying videos with sound, which can be overwhelming for users with cognitive disabilities.

In Wix’s mobile editor, prioritize legibility and ease of use by ensuring text is readable and buttons are large enough to tap comfortably [6]. Additionally, use semantic HTML with proper heading hierarchies (H1, H2, H3) to help both screen readers and users better navigate your content [12].

Using NEWFORM for Accessibility Education and Resources

NEWFORM builds on Wix Studio's accessibility tools by focusing on education and community engagement. Creating accessible websites isn’t just about tools - it’s about learning, practice, and collaboration. Founded by Kole Jain and Brandon Groce, NEWFORM provides an educational ecosystem tailored for Wix Studio creators, turning accessibility concepts into actionable design practices [17]. Through workshops, templates, and a supportive community, NEWFORM equips designers with the skills needed to create inclusive web experiences.

Workshops and Tutorials for Accessibility Skills

NEWFORM offers live workshops led by experts, giving designers practical skills they can immediately apply to their Wix Studio projects [17]. These sessions include hands-on exercises to identify, fix, and document accessibility issues [18]. By addressing challenges early in the design process, designers can save time and resources. Alongside workshops, NEWFORM provides a library of tutorials and design guides that cover essential UI/UX principles and interactive site-building [17]. These resources help designers not only understand to implement accessibility features but also they matter. The live format allows for real-time Q&A and personalized feedback, making complex topics easier to grasp.

Ready-to-Use Templates and Components

To simplify the integration of accessibility features, NEWFORM offers a variety of pre-designed templates and components. These resources range from complete website templates to modular UI elements, all built with accessibility in mind [19]. Examples include responsive signup forms, animated buttons, structured landing pages, and interactive hero sections - each showcasing practical applications of accessible design [19]. These templates double as learning tools, allowing designers to explore their code and better understand how accessibility features are implemented. Designers can also customize and share their components, contributing to a growing library of resources within the NEWFORM community [19].

Community Feedback and Support

The NEWFORM community is a vital resource for designers working toward more accessible websites. Collaborative feedback helps uncover overlooked accessibility issues [20]. By engaging with peers, designers gain insights into specific challenges and solutions related to web accessibility. Feedback loops, which include accessibility audits and user testing with individuals with disabilities, encourage continuous improvement [20]. This inclusive environment makes it easier for designers to share struggles and learn from others’ experiences. Monthly design challenges provide opportunities to practice skills and receive targeted feedback [17]. Since accessibility requires ongoing effort and adaptation [20], the NEWFORM community offers long-term support for designers dedicated to creating inclusive digital spaces. Combined with Wix Studio’s built-in tools, these resources create a solid foundation for building accessible websites.

Testing and Maintaining Accessibility Standards

Making a website accessible isn’t a one-and-done task - it’s an ongoing commitment. Accessibility standards evolve, and as your content changes, so must your efforts to keep things user-friendly. Studies show that many top home pages violate Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), underscoring the need for regular testing and maintenance. Thankfully, Wix Studio offers tools to help you stay on top of accessibility requirements.

Accessibility Testing Tools in Wix Studio

Wix Studio equips you with built-in tools designed to simplify accessibility testing and help you address potential issues. These tools work hand-in-hand with the Accessibility Wizard and Accessibility Monitor, making the compliance process more efficient.

The Accessibility Wizard is your first line of defense, scanning for common issues like improper heading structures, missing alt text, and poor color contrast. Available in both the Wix Editor and Studio Editor, this tool focuses on your site’s primary language [8].

The Accessibility Monitor, on the other hand, continuously scans your live site and provides real-time updates on your dashboard. This feature ensures that any issues introduced during updates or new content additions are flagged immediately, helping you address them before they impact visitors.

While these automated tools are powerful, manual testing is just as important. Use Wix Studio’s accessibility checklist to go over your site step by step. Focus on areas like descriptive link text, color choices, and text embedded in images. Also, test your site using keyboard-only navigation to verify that all interactive elements are accessible without a mouse.

By combining automated scans with manual testing - such as using assistive technologies or navigating with a keyboard - you’ll achieve a more thorough evaluation of your site’s accessibility [23].

Regular Reviews and Updates for Compliance

How often should you review your site for accessibility? That depends on factors like your site’s complexity, how often you update it, and your overall risk tolerance [22]. Establishing a regular review schedule is key to ensuring nothing slips through the cracks.

Annual Audits: Conduct a full review of your site every year. This should include checking your site structure, key functionalities, and compliance with the latest WCAG guidelines [22].
Quarterly Checks: Focus on high-traffic pages and frequently used features every three months to catch potential issues [22].
After Major Changes: Perform targeted testing whenever you introduce new layouts, features, or significant content updates [22].

Integrating accessibility testing into your development workflow is essential. Use Wix Studio’s tools for automated scans, but don’t skip manual reviews with assistive technologies like screen readers. Keyboard-only navigation testing is also a must. Document any issues and track their resolution to ensure accountability. If your team reaches its limits, don’t hesitate to bring in external experts for additional support.

Working with Accessibility Experts

Sometimes, achieving full accessibility compliance requires going beyond in-house efforts. Wix acknowledges that, while their tools are comprehensive, they can’t guarantee compliance with all regional laws and regulations. This is where accessibility experts come in [21][8].

Experts can help with complex audits, legal compliance checks, and advanced training for your team. They bring specialized tools and insights that automated systems may not catch.

"If you're not getting buy-in from your stakeholders to grant you the development resources to implement your accessibility recommendations, remember that it's not just about improving the user experience for differently abled individuals - it’s also about keeping your business compliant with legal requirements." [24] - Rejoice Ojiaku, Co-founder at B-DigitalUK

Working with professionals not only enhances your compliance efforts but also helps your team establish clear accessibility guidelines. For example, providing ADA training for your developers and content creators ensures they understand how to maintain accessibility standards in their daily work [6].

Experts can also offer valuable insights into how users with disabilities interact with your site, identifying areas for improvement that automated tools might miss. This is especially important for businesses operating in regulated industries or serving diverse audiences where accessibility is tied to legal obligations.

While automated tools and regular monitoring form a solid foundation, expert collaboration brings the nuanced understanding needed to ensure true accessibility [6]. Building a long-term relationship with consultants can help you adapt as standards evolve and your website grows.

Conclusion: Building Accessible Websites with Wix Studio

Creating accessible websites ensures that everyone can engage with your content, regardless of their abilities. In today's world, accessibility is more than just the right thing to do - it’s a critical aspect of good business practice. Ignoring inclusive design can have real consequences, both ethically and legally.

Wix Studio provides a range of tools to help designers meet accessibility standards, including the Accessibility Wizard, smart focus rings, skip-to-content options, and automatic DOM order adjustments to align with WCAG guidelines [2]. On top of that, the Accessibility Monitor keeps an eye on your live site, identifying potential issues as they arise in real time [26].

As Wix explains:

"Our goal is to help each website made with Wix be more usable to people with: Visual disabilities, Motor disabilities, Hearing disabilities, Cognitive disabilities, Situational or temporary disabilities" [2]

Responsive design is another strength of Wix Studio. Its accessibility features are optimized to work seamlessly across all devices, from desktops with screen readers to smartphones using voice commands [25][27]. This ensures your site remains functional and easy to navigate for everyone, no matter how they access it.

In addition to these built-in tools, NEWFORM offers workshops, educational resources, and a community of like-minded designers. You can access accessibility-focused templates, receive expert feedback, and participate in monthly challenges or live workshops. These resources are designed to help you stay up-to-date with accessibility standards while refining your skills and connecting with others who share your commitment to inclusive design.

To maintain long-term accessibility, make it a habit to incorporate tools like the Accessibility Wizard into your workflow. Regularly test your site with a keyboard, monitor your dashboard for updates, and stay informed about best practices [2][26]. Accessibility isn’t a one-time task - it’s an ongoing process that evolves with technology and user needs.

As Wix puts it:

"Wix is committed to making the web a better place for everyone." [2]

FAQs

How does the Accessibility Wizard in Wix Studio help meet WCAG 2.2 standards?

The Accessibility Wizard in Wix Studio makes it easier to create an inclusive website. It scans your site, pinpoints accessibility issues, and offers straightforward steps to help you meet WCAG 2.2 standards.

With this tool, you can ensure your website is accessible to individuals with disabilities, creating a better experience for all users.

What accessibility issues can Wix Studio help me identify and fix?

Wix Studio simplifies the process of spotting and fixing accessibility issues, ensuring your website is both inclusive and easy to navigate. Here are a few common problems it can help identify:

Missing alt text: Without descriptive alt text, visually impaired users may struggle to understand the purpose of images on your site.
Low color contrast: Poor contrast between text and background can make reading difficult for some visitors.
Unclear link names: Links with vague or generic names can confuse users relying on screen readers.
No keyboard navigation: Some users depend on keyboards instead of a mouse, so navigation must be fully supported.

The platform's built-in Accessibility Wizard scans your site to flag these issues and offers clear, step-by-step instructions to resolve them. Fixing these problems ensures a smoother, more accessible experience for everyone who visits your site.

Why should designers take extra steps to ensure accessibility in Wix Studio projects?

Creating accessible designs means stepping beyond the default tools offered by Wix Studio. While these built-in features are helpful, designers need to take an active role in meeting essential accessibility standards like WCAG and ADA. This effort not only ensures inclusivity for users with disabilities but also enhances the overall user experience, encourages engagement, and builds trust.

By addressing accessibility upfront, designers can create websites that welcome everyone, breaking down barriers for users with various needs. It's a vital move toward building sites that are both meaningful and aligned with legal and ethical responsibilities.