As the festive season approaches, it’s important to ensure that your website reflects a welcoming and inclusive experience for all visitors. The holiday period can be a wonderful time for many, but it’s also a time when individuals of diverse backgrounds and beliefs should feel seen and respected online. Whether it’s recognising different religious and cultural traditions or ensuring your content is accessible to all, inclusivity matters year-round.
The Dos
Do recognise diverse holidays and traditions
Do acknowledge and celebrate a variety of cultural and religious holidays during this time. While Christmas may be dominant in many regions, don’t forget Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Diwali, and others. Incorporating imagery or content that reflects these different traditions can create a more inclusive space for your audience.
Tip: Include a holiday message or greeting that embraces diversity, such as “Season’s Greetings” or “Happy Holidays,” to acknowledge that not everyone celebrates the same way.
Do spread joy through accessible design
The excitement of festive design often leads to heavy use of animations, bright colours, or flashing content, which can create accessibility issues for some visitors, particularly those with epilepsy, visual impairments, or cognitive disabilities.
Do deck your site with translation features
Santa travels around the world on Christmas night, spreading joy and cheer beyond just England. To honor this spirit of inclusivity, make sure your website is available in more than just English. Offer a feature that allows users to translate your content into multiple languages. The festive season is all about connection and togetherness, so it’s essential to break down language barriers that might prevent people from accessing important information or services during this special time.
Our Assistive Toolbar provides real-time translation in over 100 languages, allowing individuals from all cultural backgrounds to engage with your content and share in the holiday spirit.
The Don’ts
Don’t wrap up messages in complex language
Ensure your content is written in plain language so that it’s easy for people with varying literacy levels to understand. Avoid jargon and complex terms that may confuse or exclude certain audiences. Offering clear, concise content helps make your website accessible to everyone, including those with cognitive disabilities or low literacy skills. Download our Inclusive Communications Guide to learn more about using Inclusive Language.
Don’t assume everyone celebrates the same way
While Christmas may be a central theme for many, focusing solely on Christmas can alienate visitors who celebrate different holidays. Instead of only featuring Christmas trees, Santa, or holiday lights, diversify your seasonal imagery to include symbols from other festive traditions.
Avoid language that implies everyone celebrates Christmas or celebrates it in the same way. For example, instead of “Merry Christmas to all,” opt for broader messages like “Wishing you peace and joy this holiday season.”
Don’t let the season pass without highlighting accessibility
Ensuring your website is inclusive shouldn’t just be a behind-the-scenes effort. Promote your use of accessibility tools, such as Recite Me, to show your visitors that you’re dedicated to creating an equitable online experience for everyone.
During the festive season, your website may experience higher traffic as people look for information or services. Making sure that your site is inclusive and accessible is a reflection of your organisation’s commitment to serving all individuals, regardless of their background or abilities.
3 Steps to Get Your Website Ready for the Festive Rush
The festive season brings a surge in online activity, from holiday shopping and charitable donations to booking trips and leisure activities. If your website isn’t accessible, you could be missing out on valuable traffic and turning away potential customers and supporters. Check out our 3 step guide to make sure your website is ready for the busy festive period.
