As an NDIS provider, your target customers are people with various disabilities, from visual to mobility. The same people will also visit your website to learn more about your services. If this site is difficult to browse, you are nothing but risking your business.
NDIS web designs are unlike any other, and they have a unique set of responsibilities. When these are unmet, your audience will lose interest in your services or doubt your credibility. So, you must pay attention to your website. If you have a website designer in Melbourne, here’s what they will probably do to make your site user-friendly.
Foundation: Understanding Diverse Audiences
Your audience is people with disabilities, but that is too broad and vague. Disabilities can be diverse: Visual, Auditory, Mental, Psychosocial, and more. Which categories do you cater to? Make a list and consider it as the cornerstone of your website design.
Based on this, you will incorporate essential features to make browsing seamless on your website. Here are some of the things website designers normally do:
1. User-Friendly Navigation
A well-organised and intuitive navigation is crucial for any website, including NDIS, as it helps your audience browse the site seamlessly. It means your audience should be able to find the information they are seeking easily and quickly. If it takes too much time, they will lose interest.
For this, the number one thing you should do is create a simple menu structure using a drop-down feature for subcategories. Then, craft labels in easy-to-understand language. If this is done well, your user will spend more time browsing the site.
Remember, simplicity is vital for NDIS web designs.
2. Inclusive Content and Imagery
Representation matters on an NDIS website. Featuring content and images that can authentically represent the diversity of your audience will help you connect better. You can make it even more authentic by including pictures of your support workers and coordinators. This shows your commitment to the job.
3. Meeting Accessibility Standards
One of the most important things you can do for your NDIS website is to align it with accessibility standards and regulations. Get familiar with the WCAG (Web Content Accessibility and Guidelines) and any other relevant policies, and incorporate those features into your website.
Some key points under WCAG:
- Create text alternatives for non-text content, such as photos.
- Make text content readable and predictable, helping the user understand your interface easily.
- Ensure content is adaptable to different forms without losing information or structure.
4. Building Trust with Testimonials
If someone wants to hire your services, you must first earn their trust. And how do you do that through a website? One way is by showing other user testimonials. You can also turn them into personal narratives by going deep into how a user experienced your services. Even video testimonials work great nowadays.
All in all, showcasing others’ experiences can help you foster a sense of connection and trust with your new customers.
5. Keyboard Accessibility
This is a vital aspect of NDIS websites. Some of your users may have motor disabilities and may have problems with using a mouse. For them, keyboard accessibility is very important, and thus, you must enable this feature for your website.
By ensuring this feature, you are also complying with the WCAG requirements, which will create better satisfaction for your audience.
6. Form Filling Rules
Does the user need to fill out and submit a form to avail of your services? Then, you have a list of considerations to keep in mind:
- Provide enough time to fill out the form.
- Allow users to save their progress with the form and return to it later.
- Offer optional assistance, such as help buttons, for users who need more help in understanding the form.
Users with cognitive disabilities, such as those who need more time to process information, find it challenging to complete the form within a timeframe. But with these considerations, all your users can fill the form more peacefully rather than rush through it.
7. Compatible and Parsing
Compatibility means creating content that works effortlessly across various (current and future) user agents and assistive technologies. Parsing, on the other hand, means crafting well-formed codes that let browsers and assistive technologies accurately interpret the content.
These features enable your users to access your content using their preferred tools, which will create a robust online experience.
8. Easy Contact Options
Lastly, you must ensure easy communication between you and your customer by providing user-friendly contact options. So, consider these points while creating your website’s contact page:
- Provide multiple means of communication
- Make contact information easily accessible from any page
- Incorporate live chat for real-time assistance
You must recognise that individuals with disabilities and their carers may have unique enquiries, so create an accessible pathway for them to connect with you. Don’t make them feel disconnected.
Final Message
Your work is not done yet! Even after creating everything, you must constantly revisit your website and see if it requires any improvements. Regular updates and maintenance are a must to keep your website running smoothly. It may be updating a piece of information or addressing a broken link.
As you see, this is an elaborate (and ongoing) project. So, work with an experienced web designer to ensure that your website is meeting all the requirements effectively. If you are looking for a professional, you can reach out to Make My Website, a 5-star rated web design company in Melbourne.
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