Building Websites Optimized For Humans
I’ve been in the tech world for a long time. Like, the first time marquee and mouse-trailing animations were “cool” long. As the landscape of being discovered online has changed over the years, one thing hasn’t: humans are the ones doing the buying.
And not every human surfs the internet the same. Up to 27% of people in the US alone need assistive tools or minor accommodations to fully understand your website. Without basic web accessibility best practices, you are losing that 27%.
Before you say, ” But what about Google and AI?” Guess what – they search the internet much like someone who is blind or visually-impaired does. Everything we do to make a website better for humans also improves its robot-friendliness. (If that’s your thing.)
Marisa’s Professional History
While I started learning HTML and building websites for fun during my teen years (around 13), I have a BA and a Master’s in Literature. I love the written word, so I coded to pay my way through college. But what sounds like an odd education for someone who now owns a website agency has helped me keep the human story at the forefront.
Journey to Web Accessibility
In 2013, I was living in Scotland and started working for the Scottish Government publisher. Thanks to the UK’s Equality Act, everything we put on the SG website had to 100% accessible. My very first day on the job, they asked me to surf the internet using a screen-reading tool. It was an eye-opening experience (in a bad way), but that memory drives me all these years later.
Job Titles I’ve Held
- Freelancer
- Web Developer
- Digital Media Engineer
- Online Reputation Manager
- Ghost-Writing Blogger
- Copywriter
- Social Media Manager
- Digital Ads Strategist
- Agency Owner
- Senior Marketing Educator
The Personal Side
At the core of it all, I am a sarcastic nerd who loves comic books, can name the chronological order of each Marvel Cinematic Universe movie (not release order, but actual fictional dates), Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, action movies, 30 Rock, The Office, Parks & Rec, and curling up with a good book (when I can find the time). I love traveling and exploring new places, perhaps most of all.
