How do you use semantic elements and ARIA attributes to improve the accessibility and SEO of your web pages?

2 How to use semantic elements?

To use semantic elements effectively, you need to follow some best practices and conventions. First, you should choose the most appropriate element for each section of your content, based on its purpose and function. For example, use <header> for the top part of your page that contains your logo, navigation, and title; use <main> for the main content of your page; use <aside> for any complementary or secondary content that is related but not essential to your main content; and use <footer> for the bottom part of your page that contains your copyright, contact, and social media links. Second, you should nest your semantic elements correctly, avoiding overlapping or redundant elements. For example, do not put a <nav> element inside another <nav> element, or a <section> element inside an <article> element. Third, you should avoid using generic elements like <div> and <span> unless you have a specific reason to do so, such as applying custom styles or scripts.

3 Why use ARIA attributes?

ARIA attributes help you enhance the accessibility and usability of your web pages by adding extra information and functionality to your HTML elements. ARIA attributes can help you define the role, state, value, name, and description of your elements, as well as their relationships and interactions. For example, you can use ARIA attributes to indicate that a button is disabled, that a list is sortable, that a form field is required, or that a modal window is open. ARIA attributes can also help you create custom widgets and components that are not available in HTML, such as tabs, accordions, sliders, and menus.

4 How to use ARIA attributes?

To use ARIA attributes correctly, you need to follow some guidelines and rules. First, you should only use ARIA attributes when they are necessary and relevant, and when they do not conflict with the native semantics of your HTML elements. For example, do not use ARIA attributes to change the meaning or role of an element that already has a clear semantic value, such as a <button> or a <h1>. Second, you should use ARIA attributes consistently and accurately, ensuring that they reflect the current state and behavior of your elements. For example, if you use aria-expanded to indicate that a collapsible panel is open or closed, you should update its value whenever the panel changes. Third, you should test your ARIA attributes with different assistive technologies and browsers, checking that they are properly recognized and announced.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?