Automated web accessibility testing

Silktide stands out with proprietary technology that works like a real browser. Unlike many testing tools that simply scan for code errors, Silktide’s platform is built to:

– Render pages in a real browser: This means it sees your website exactly as your visitors do, catching issues that might only appear in a live environment.

– Test complex user journeys: We simulate real user interactions, ensuring that every path – from landing page to checkout – is smooth and accessible.

– Prioritize high-impact issues: Our intelligent system highlights problems that most affect users, so you can address the most critical issues first.

– Integrate with CMS platforms: Easily incorporate our testing into your daily workflow with seamless integration into popular CMS systems.

– Provide in-page visual guides: Our visual overlays and guides help you pinpoint exactly where and how to fix accessibility issues.

Learn more about Silktide’s unique technology.

Silktide is more than just a testing tool – it’s a partner in accessibility training and ongoing compliance.

Preventing accessibility issues is as important as fixing them. That’s why our platform offers:

– In-app training: Access explainers, videos, and code examples right where you work, making it easier to learn and implement best practices.
– Pre-publish checks: Catch errors before your content goes live, ensuring that new pages meet accessibility standards from the start.
– Custom policies: Tailor rules to your site’s specific needs, so your team follows consistent guidelines.
– Progress dashboards: Monitor improvements over time with detailed metrics that help you track and celebrate your accessibility wins.

This proactive approach helps you fix issues and build a website that’s accessible from day one.

Empower your team with our accessibility training services.

Frequency matters when it comes to keeping your site accessible and compliant.

Most of our clients choose a mix of scheduled and on-demand scans. Here’s how we tailor our scanning options to your needs:

– 5-day scans: Ideal for regular check-ups on evolving websites.
– On-demand scans: Perfect for those times when you’re making significant changes or updates.
– Real-time CMS integration: For high-traffic sites, our platform can connect directly with your CMS, running scans automatically with every update.
– Custom scheduling: Whether you need daily or even hourly scans, we offer flexible scheduling to keep pace with your site’s activity.
– Instant retests: After you’ve fixed an issue, our system can immediately re-run tests to confirm that your improvements work.

Regular scanning ensures that as your site grows and changes, it stays accessible.

Absolutely—mobile accessibility is a key focus for Silktide.

Our mobile testing includes:

– Mobile responsiveness: We simulate mobile browsers to verify that your site adapts perfectly to different screen sizes.
– WCAG mobile criteria: Tests include checks for one-dimensional scrolling, ensuring no overlapping horizontal or vertical elements.
– Pinch-to-zoom compatibility: We verify that users can comfortably zoom in on your content.
– Touch target sizing: Our tests confirm that interactive elements are sized appropriately (minimum 24px) for easy tapping.

We simulate mobile browsers to ensure your site works flawlessly on all devices.

Yes—automation and manual testing go hand in hand.

While automated accessibility testing is great for scanning large sites quickly, it’s not a complete solution by itself. Here’s why a combined approach is best:

– Scale vs. nuance: Automation can cover thousands of pages in minutes, but it may miss context-specific issues.
– Human judgment: Manual testing can evaluate aspects like the context of image alt text, full screen reader compatibility, and smooth keyboard navigation flows.
– Complementary strategies: Silktide’s manual accessibility auditing works alongside automated scans, ensuring no stone is left unturned in your compliance efforts.

Yes! You can see a live demo of Silktide. We also offer a completely free web accessibility scanner as a browser plugin, that lets you test single pages in a lighter version of our accessibility platform.

Yes, many aspects of accessibility testing can be automated—but with a few important caveats.

Automated testing tools like Silktide are designed to quickly scan your website for technical issues such as:

– Missing alt text: Ensure all images have descriptive alt text.
– Color contrast errors: Verify that text and background colors meet WCAG standards.
– Invalid code: Detect HTML or CSS errors that might impact accessibility.

However, some aspects—such as evaluating the accuracy of alt text—still require human insight. That’s why pairing automated tests with manual audits is recommended.

– Run an automated scan with Silktide’s platform or free Chrome extension.
– Review prioritized issues (e.g., color contrast, heading hierarchy).
– Fix errors using in-page guides and training materials.
– Schedule regular scans to maintain compliance.

For a detailed guide, read How to Check Your Web Accessibility for Free.

WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) provide benchmarks for making accessible websites.

Silktide helps you meet these standards by automating checks for:

– Keyboard navigation: Ensuring your site is fully navigable without a mouse.
– Text contrast: Verifying that your content is readable for users with visual impairments.
– Form labels: Making sure all forms are properly labeled for screen readers.
– Mobile responsiveness: Confirming that your site works seamlessly on mobile devices.

Our platform is designed to test for WCAG 2.1/2.2, giving you confidence that your website is both accessible and genuinely user-friendly.

Check out our WCAG for Beginners guide, which explains everything in clear language.

Automated accessibility testing brings speed, scale, and consistency to your accessibility efforts.

By leveraging automation, you can:

– Quickly scan large websites: Automated tools can test thousands of pages in minutes, ensuring that even extensive sites are regularly checked for issues.
– Identify common issues efficiently: They catch technical problems like missing alt text, low contrast, and coding errors—allowing you to address the majority of issues early in the development cycle.
– Integrate accessibility into your workflow: With real-time testing and custom scheduling, you can catch errors as you build, rather than retrofitting solutions later.
– Improve overall user experience: A more accessible website means a better experience for all users, including those with disabilities, which can positively impact engagement and search rankings.

Automated testing is a powerful first step that, when combined with manual audits, provides comprehensive coverage of accessibility challenges.