Understanding HTML landmarks and how to apply them
Blog post from LogRocket
Creating an accessible HTML structure is crucial for improving the user experience for individuals with disabilities, particularly those relying on assistive technologies like screen readers. HTML landmarks, which consist of specific tags such as `<main>`, `<header>`, `<footer>`, `<nav>`, `<form>`, `<section>`, `<aside>`, and `<search>`, play a significant role in defining website sections, enabling easy navigation. The article emphasizes the importance of using landmarks correctly, noting that screen reader users often depend on them to navigate websites. Accessible names, provided through attributes like `aria-label` and `aria-labelledby`, enhance navigation by giving context to screen readers. Each landmark serves a specific purpose, such as `<main>` for the primary content, `<header>` for site-wide elements, and `<nav>` for navigation links, and should be used wisely to avoid creating unnecessary noise, which could confuse users. The article also provides practical examples and coding guidance to demonstrate how landmarks can be implemented effectively in web projects, highlighting the importance of translating design into accessible code.