Creating an inclusive and accessible web experience is no longer just a “nice to have” — it’s a core best practice in modern design and development. One subtle but powerful way to improve accessibility is by properly handling focus outlines using the :focus-visible pseudo-class.
If you’ve ever removed the default browser outline from buttons or links to make your design cleaner, you may be unintentionally excluding keyboard users from properly navigating your site.
In this guide, we’ll explore how to use :focus-visible to enhance usability without compromising aesthetics — all while staying WCAG-compliant and SEO-friendly.
What is :focus-visible?
The :focus-visible pseudo-class is a CSS selector that allows you to target elements only when they are focused via keyboard navigation (like pressing the Tab key), rather than by mouse click or touch.
This means:
- Keyboard users get visual feedback (a focus ring)
- Mouse users aren’t distracted by unnecessary outlines
This hybrid approach ensures clean UX while maintaining crucial accessibility for users with vision impairments or those navigating via keyboard.
Why You Shouldn’t Remove Focus Outlines Completely
Designers often remove outlines using:
css
CopyEdit
button:focus {
outline: none;
}
While this may look cleaner visually, it breaks accessibility. Users who rely on the keyboard to navigate will no longer know which element is focused, making your site frustrating or even unusable.
Not only does this harm UX — it may violate WCAG guidelines, which can lead to compliance issues, especially on government or enterprise-level sites.
How to Use :focus-visible in CSS
Here’s the correct way to style focus outlines for accessibility:
css
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button:focus-visible,
a:focus-visible {
outline: 2px solid #0070f3;
outline-offset: 4px;
}
This CSS ensures that:
- A clear, visible outline appears only when the user is navigating with a keyboard
- Your design stays clean for mouse/touch users
- Your site remains accessible and inclusive
Use case: Ideal for styling forms, CTA buttons, navigation menus, modals, and anchor links.
How to Add This in Webflow
While Webflow’s Designer UI doesn’t support :focus-visible natively, you can easily add it via:
1. Custom Code Embed
Paste the code above into your Webflow site:
- Inside the Page Settings > Custom Code > Footer
- Or add it in an Embed Component within your page
2. Use Attributes & Minimal JS (Optional)
If you need to apply more complex styles or behavior, you can combine a simple JavaScript snippet with Webflow’s attributes to detect focus states, but for most cases, pure CSS with :focus-visible is enough.
SEO & UX Benefits of Using :focus-visible
Here’s how improving keyboard focus states benefits both users and your rankings:
- Better Accessibility Compliance
Helps meet WCAG 2.1 standards (Level AA), required for many businesses and government websites. - Improved User Experience
Keyboard users can easily see where they are on the page, reducing frustration and abandonment. - Positive SEO Signals
Google rewards sites that prioritize usability and accessibility as part of its ranking algorithm. - Support for Assistive Technologies
Screen readers and keyboard navigation tools rely on visual cues to guide users effectively.
Bonus Tip: Pair with Skip Links for Full Keyboard Support
Want to go the extra mile? Pair your :focus-visible setup with “skip links” — hidden anchor links that appear on Tab and allow users to jump directly to the main content.
Example:
html
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<a href=”#main-content” class=”skip-link”>Skip to main content</a>
These links appear only when focused and are excellent for accessibility, especially on content-heavy pages.
Final Thoughts
Using :focus-visible is one of the simplest yet most impactful ways to improve accessibility in your Webflow or custom-coded site. It shows users you care about inclusion, usability, and professionalism — and it sends a strong signal to search engines that your site is optimized for real-world users.
By implementing this lightweight, semantic enhancement, you’re not just polishing your design — you’re making the web a better place.
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