How to optimise your website for neurodivergent users

There’s been a growing conversation about inclusivity in both the physical and digital world, and rightly so. As businesses, we often focus on making our websites visually appealing or conversion-focused, but how often do we stop to think about the accessibility of our websites for neurodivergent users? It’s estimated that around 15-20% of the population worldwide are neurodivergent, meaning they experience and interact with the world differently due to conditions such as ADHD, autism, or dyslexia. This means a huge portion of potential customers might struggle to use your website if it isn’t designed with them in mind.

Recently, I came across an article highlighting that companies embracing neurodiverse talent are often more creative and innovative. And it's a no brainer that every business should be extending this inclusivity to their digital spaces as well as their workforces. Neurodivergent users can bring new ideas and approaches to the table, and optimising websites to make them user-friendly for everyone can create a far more inclusive experience.

For service-based businesses, making your website accessible to a broader audience isn’t just about compliance—it’s good for business. Not only will this improve the user experience (UX) for a wider range of visitors, but it can also positively impact your website’s performance in terms of SEO, conversions, and overall usability. Let’s dive into five actionable tips to optimise your website for neurodivergent users.

1. Simplify navigation for clear user paths

When a website is cluttered or difficult to navigate, it can overwhelm any user—especially neurodivergent individuals who may struggle with information overload. A clear and simple navigation structure helps all users, but for those with ADHD or autism, it’s vital. Keep your menus concise, avoid complex multi-level drop downs, and use descriptive labels so visitors can easily find what they’re looking for without frustration.

Take a look at ZenDesk’s clean navigation structure. It’s minimalistic, easy to follow, and doesn’t bombard users with too many options. (As a side note, I also love the icons so more visual readers can easily scan to find the category they need without even having to read!).

ZenDesk desktop website navigation

2. Use consistent, clear typography

Typography plays a crucial role in how we read and process information. For neurodivergent users, especially those with dyslexia, legibility is key. Stick to easy-to-read fonts like Arial, Verdana, or Open Sans, and avoid overly decorative or cursive fonts. Additionally, consistent font sizes and styles across your website reduce cognitive load and help users know where to focus their attention.

The BBC is a prime example of a website optimised for inclusivity. They use a large, easy-to-read font throughout the site, keeping consistency in size and spacing.

3. Provide content in digestible chunks

Neurodivergent users may struggle with long blocks of uninterrupted text. Breaking your content into smaller, digestible chunks makes it more approachable and less intimidating. Use short paragraphs, bullet points, headings, and visual breaks (like icons or images) to structure your content so that it’s easier to process.

4. Reduce sensory overload with minimalist design

Neurodivergent users can be sensitive to sensory input, such as flashing images, bright colours, or overly animated graphics. A minimalist design approach, with muted colour palettes, fewer animations, and clean layouts, can create a more calming user experience. Avoid auto-playing videos or animations that may be distracting or overwhelming.

Check out Basecamp’s homepage, which uses a calm colour palette and minimal animation, ensuring a distraction-free user journey.

Basecamp's homepage has minimal colours and clear copy

5. Offer multiple ways to interact with content

Not all users process information in the same way. Neurodivergent individuals may prefer different formats for absorbing content—some might like reading, while others might prefer watching a video or listening to an audio version. Offering multiple formats for your content ensures that you cater to different preferences.

For example, if you have a video on how to do something, make sure you also have sub-titles at the very least. But you could take this a step further and also have a 'how to' blog, downloadable PDF guide, and the video about the same subject, allowing users to choose what format works best for them.

Ready to optimise your website for neurodivergent users?

Optimising your website for neurodivergent users is not just a matter of accessibility—it’s about offering an inclusive experience for all potential customers. These small design tweaks can make a big difference in ensuring that everyone, no matter how they interact with your website, feels comfortable and can easily navigate your content.

If you're unsure how to implement these changes on your Wix or Squarespace site, or if you want to take your web design to the next level, I’d love to help. At Elevating Ecom, we specialise in creating inclusive, user-friendly websites for service-based businesses. Get in touch today to find out how we can make your website more accessible and effective for all your users!