Achieving WCAG compliance: step by step

What is WCAG 2.2?

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are a set of guidelines for the accessibility of web content. They were developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) and make digital content accessible to people with disabilities. The current version is WCAG 2.2, an official W3C Recommendation since October 2023. It extends WCAG 2.1 with new success criteria, including for the visibility of the keyboard focus and touch operation.

The WCAG guidelines are divided into three conformance levels: A, AA and AAA. Each level has different accessibility requirements. For legal requirements, level AA is generally decisive, which the European standard EN 301 549 also refers to.

Why WCAG compliance is crucial for your business

Compliance with the WCAG guidelines is not only an ethical obligation, but since 28 June 2025 also a legal requirement. Since then, the Accessibility Strengthening Act (BFSG) has required many companies to make their digital offerings accessible. Those who fail to meet these standards risk legal consequences and possible fines.

In addition, WCAG compliance improves the user experience for all visitors to your website, which leads to higher customer satisfaction and loyalty. Accessibility also opens up new market segments and strengthens trust in your brand.

The four WCAG principles: perceivable, operable, understandable, robust

WCAG is based on four main principles: perceivability, operability, understandability and robustness. These principles include concrete guidelines and success criteria that ensure web content is accessible to all users.

Perceivability means that information and interface components are presented so that everyone can perceive them, for example through alt text and sufficient color contrasts. Operability means that interface components and navigation can be fully operated, including via keyboard. Understandability ensures clear content and predictable operation. Robustness ensures that content can be reliably interpreted by a variety of user agents, including assistive technologies such as screen readers.

5 steps to WCAG compliance

• ✓ Step 1, analyze the current website: Start with a comprehensive review of your web content to identify barriers and recognize potential for improvement.
• ✓ Step 2, plan the measures: Create a detailed plan that includes the necessary changes and the resources required for them.
• ✓ Step 3, implement the changes: Implement the planned changes using the WCAG guidelines as a guide. Tools such as easyVision and easyMonitoring support you.
• ✓ Step 4, review and testing: Carry out regular tests so that the changes comply with the WCAG standards. Automated tools such as the contrast checker help here.
• ✓ Step 5, training and education: Train your team regularly in the latest WCAG guidelines so that accessibility remains an ongoing part of your web development.

Common mistakes in WCAG implementation and how to avoid them

A common mistake is insufficient contrast ratios, which lead to text that is difficult to read. Use the contrast checker so that your color contrasts meet the requirements.

Another mistake is the lack of keyboard operability. Make sure that all functions of your website can also be reached via the keyboard. Also avoid purely visual cues and always supplement them with meaningful text descriptions.

Tools for a WCAG-compliant, accessible website

SiteCockpit offers a range of tools and resources that support you in achieving WCAG compliance:

• ✓ easyVision, an intuitive accessibility widget for custom display, navigation and reading modes directly in the browser.
• ✓ easyMonitoring, an automated monitoring and testing tool that detects barriers, makes concrete recommendations and sets priorities.
• ✓ easyStatement, an automatic generator for your accessibility statement with version and change history.
• ✓ Contrast checker, a real-time tool for checking color contrast with instant feedback and designer-friendly input.

Reach WCAG compliance with SiteCockpit

With SiteCockpit, we accompany you step by step on the way to WCAG compliance. Our platform offers automated accessibility scans that regularly check your website against current accessibility standards. You not only receive comprehensive test reports, but also individual recommendations for action that are tailored to your website and enable a targeted approach.

Our experts support you personally with questions and with the implementation of necessary measures. This way you ensure that your website not only meets legal requirements such as the EAA and BFSG, but also remains accessible in the long term for all users.