Accessibility on WP Engine
WP Engine is a managed WordPress host used by agencies and larger businesses. The hosting handles speed, security and updates, and sites typically use custom themes, a block editor or builder, and a set of plugins. Its environments include staging, so changes can be tested before they go live.
That workflow is a good fit for accessibility testing. Because you can publish a change to staging first, you can scan it there, fix what you find and only then push it live. Some sites also use WordPress headless, with a JavaScript front end, which needs its own testing.
Common Accessibility Issues on WP Engine Sites
Custom theme templates
Agency-built themes can drop landmarks, skip links and heading structure, or hard-code styles that fail contrast.
Block editor and builder content
Cover blocks, galleries and builder sections add images without alt text and headings chosen for size.
Forms and plugin output
Form, booking and search plugins are a frequent source of unlabeled fields and silent error messages.
Caching hiding fixes
Page and CDN caching can serve an older version of a page, so a fix appears not to have worked until the cache is cleared.
Headless front ends
WordPress used as a content source for a JavaScript front end moves the accessibility risk into that front end’s components and routing.
How AccessBell Scans Your WP Engine Site
- Enter any public page. Paste the address of a page on your WP Engine site into the scanner above. There is nothing to install on your hosting account: no plugin, no code snippet and no login.
- We load it in a real browser. AccessBell opens the page in headless Chrome and runs its scripts, so it tests what your visitors actually see, including content added by your theme, builder or plugins.
- We run the WCAG rules. The open-source axe-core engine checks the page against the standard you choose, and every result is mapped to the WCAG success criteria it affects.
- You see what is wrong in seconds. The free scan lists every issue it finds, ranked by severity, with the WCAG criteria each one fails. Start a free trial to get the failing code and the fix for each one. Our methodology explains exactly what runs and what still needs a person.
What You Get From the Free Scan and the Free Trial
Free, with no account
- 63 automated rules for WCAG 2.2 Level AA, or presets for WCAG 2.1 AA, the ADA, Section 508 and EN 301 549
- Every issue found on the page, ranked by severity from critical to minor
- The WCAG success criteria each issue fails, which you can look up in our WCAG library
With a 3-day free trial
- The failing HTML, so you can find the element in your site editor or code
- How to fix each issue, with a corrected example
- Every page scanned, up to 500 per domain, with daily monitoring and an email when something breaks
- A list of checks that need a person to review, so nothing is missed
- A dated record of your scans and fixes
How to Fix What the Scan Finds
- Scan the staging site before each release, fix what the scan finds in the theme or content, and then deploy to production.
- Clear the page and CDN caches after a fix, then rescan the live page to confirm that visitors see the corrected version.
- Agencies managing many installs should scan each site on a schedule, since plugin updates can change markup on any of them.
- Run a free scan above on your homepage and a few key pages, fix issues starting with critical and serious, then rescan to confirm.
- For ongoing protection, AccessBell Pro monitors up to 500 URLs per domain every day and alerts you when a theme, app or plugin update introduces a new issue.
Related Guides
WP Engine Accessibility — Frequently Asked Questions
Can AccessBell scan a WP Engine staging site?
Yes. AccessBell Pro can scan staging and pre-launch sites, including those protected by custom HTTP headers, so issues are found before release.
Does managed WordPress hosting make a site accessible?
No. Managed hosting covers performance, security and updates. Accessibility comes from the theme, content and plugins.
How should agencies monitor client sites on WP Engine?
Add each client’s domain to AccessBell, which rescans on a schedule and keeps a dated record of scans and fixes for each site.
Sources
This page explains general accessibility patterns for WP Engine sites and is not legal advice. AccessBell is not affiliated with WP Engine. WP Engine and its logo are trademarks of their owners and are used only to identify the platform. See our disclaimer.
