Archives

Artificial Intelligence Policy

WordCamp Canada 2024

Join WHC @ WordCamp Canada

Exciting news! WHC is heading to WordCamp Canada, and we’re bringing our A-game. This WordPress-focus event will be held from July 11 to 13 in beautiful Ottawa. As proud sponsors, speakers, and panelists, we’re ready for an event packed with insights and innovations. 

If you can't make it, follow us on social for live updates from WordCamp Canada ( WCEH ! ) and a sneak peek at our AI-powered WordPress solution, programmed to impress!

WHC sponsors WordCamp Canada 2024

After a fantastic first WordCamp experience in 2019, in our hometown of Montreal, we’re stepping up our game and going national! WordCamp Canada is a key event for the Canadian WordPress community, and WHC is thrilled to be an official sponsor again this year. 

WordCamp is all about WordPress.

WordCamp events are community-driven conferences organized by and for the WordPress community that happen worldwide. The latest one in Turin was a big hit. Tickets for the first-ever WordCamp Canada are just $75 for the three-day event—a great chance to learn, network, and enjoy insightful sessions in Ottawa.

Save the date

What: WordCamp Canada 2024

When: July 11-13, 2024

Where: Infinity Convention Center, 2901 Gibford Drive, Ottawa, K1V 2L9

If you’re a seasoned developer, join Contributor Day, or if you’re a newbie, take the Intro to WordPress, or pass by and get help for anything WordPress at the 'Happiness Bar'. Check the official schedule and grab your tickets now!

Come meet the WHC team

If you’re attending WordCamp Canada, stop by the WHC booth to chat with our friendly team: Emil, CEO and founder; Frank, Chief Domain Nerd; Anne-Claude, Marketing and Sales Director; and many other WHC’ers. Whether you have questions or just want to geek out, we’re excited to connect with fellow WordPress enthusiasts!

WHC’s Commitment to WordPress and Web Accessibility

WHC ❤ WordPress

Supporting the WordPress community is at the heart of what we do. We’ve joined numerous WordPress events and meet-ups over the years. WordCamp is the best opportunity to be an integral part of the WordPress community.

WHC is committed to Web Accessibility

We recently improved our Client Area to make it more accessible for users. Today, we’re proud to say that it meets WCAG Level AA standards. We’re hard at work to make our entire website equally accessible. Our efforts, led by our in-house expert Mike, are in line with our mission of helping every Canadian succeed online. And we want to make sure no one is left out. 

Let’s talk about Web Accessibility 

Join the conversation, on July 13 as WHC takes the stage in a dedicated panel about the growing importance of making all websites, apps, and the Internet accessible to everyone. 

Here’s who you can catch on stage:

  • Emil Falcon, CEO and Founder of WHC, will lead and moderate the panel on web accessibility, discussing the significant strides WHC has made to enhance our website and client area for users with disabilities.
  • Michel-Anthony Borde, Web Accessibility Expert at WHC, will share his experience and insights of working in tech as a person who’s blind. Mike is also an actor and entrepreneur. 

Discover the Future: AI + WordPress

The future of WordPress at WHC has AI written all over it. And it’s being unveiled at WordCamp Canada. Don’t miss the launch of our groundbreaking AI-powered WordPress solution, a Canadian first. Witness it firsthand: Visit our booth for an exclusive first look. Test it yourself and see how it transforms the WordPress experience.

Join us

We can’t wait to see you at WordCamp Canada 2024. Be part of something big and participate in insightful sessions, exciting reveals, and get the opportunity to connect with the vibrant WordPress community. 

Be sure to follow us on social for live coverage of the event and don’t miss our big launch, a Canadian exclusive: The future of WordPress has AI written all over it!

Campaign Builder

.CA domain as low
as C$10.99/1st yr

  • Free Privacy Protection
  • Complete DNS Control
  • Domain Locking
  • 24/7 Expert Support

Web Hosting

Get fast and unlimited web hosting for your site Get Hosting Save up to 72%!

Cloud Servers

Take full control with our fastest virtual servers Compare Clouds Save up to 11%!

Dedicated Servers

Boost your business with dedicated hardware View Servers Save up to 6%!

WordPress

Manage your WordPress websites easily Get WordPress Save up to 67%!

Trusted by over 65,000
Canadian Small Businesses

Photo Ella Tsang
Ella Tsang
psimella.com

I have nothing but AMAZING experiences with the WHC live chat support. I started my website making journey with WHC and it has always been so smooth to get assistance… I will continue to recommend you guys to my friends and clients.

Photo Richard E. Ward
Richard E. Ward
tydbytes.com

I recently moved my web hosting to Web Hosting Canada and I would happily give them 10 Stars. Apart from providing me with a solid technical environment, they have provided me with absolutely First Class, friendly, informative and fast support.

Photo Jessy Maria
Jessy Maria
 

Incredible customer service! Every time I get stuck, I know I can ask for help and receive a fast and very helpful response. I would highly recommend Web Hosting Canada to anyone, including beginners to the web hosting world.

Read more reviews

Why Choose Web Hosting Canada for Web Hosting?

Built for speed

Up to 3x faster than competitors.

World’s Best Control Panel

Powered by cPanel with Cloudlinux.

1-Click Installs

Over 300 Apps, including WordPress, Drupal.

Canadian Geolocation

Get closer to your clients with servers located on the Canadian East & West Coasts.

24/7 Expert Assistance

The help you need, when you need it.

Built-in security

To keep your site safe from hackers & malware.
77% of Canadians associate Canadian businesses with a .CA

From the WHC blog

Domain Backorders become Auctions (and get a facelift!)
Domain Backorders become Auctions (and get a facelift!)

Domain backorders & auctions allow Canadians to snatch up high-quality .CA domains the second they expire and become available for re-registration ...

Read more
WordPress 6.5 is here with fresh new features
WordPress 6.5 is here with fresh new features

Mark your calendars! April 2nd, 2024 welcomes the arrival of WordPress 6.5, bringing a suite of updates designed to enrich your site's functionality and ...

Read more
Ready to Get Started? We’re available 24/7!
Call us at 1-514-504-2113 Chat with us Search your Perfect Domain
Refer a Friend

Get free hosting when you refer a friend!

Do you believe sharing is caring? We at WHC certainly do. This is why we’re thrilled to launch our new reward program: Refer-a-Friend! 

If you enjoy WHC’s Canadian hosting services, why not share the love with your friends, family or colleagues? For every successful referral to WHC, both you and your friend get an extra 3 months of free hosting. It’s a win-win! 🥳

It’s our way to thank you for spreading the word about WHC. Let's dive in.

What’s the Refer-a-Friend program at WHC?

The Refer-a-Friend program is as easy as 1-2-3, designed for you to earn rewards (free web hosting!) while helping your friends find reliable web hosting. Here’s how to get started:

It’s simple and rewarding:

  1. Log into your WHC Client Area
  2. Grab your unique link from the Refer a Friend section Refer a friend UI
  3. Share this link with anyone in need of top-notch Canadian hosting

Share and earn

Once you share your unique link, the perks can quickly start piling up! If your friends sign up for any yearly plan using your link and stay with us for at least 45 days, you both get three months of free hosting, automatically applied to your hosting service and added at the end of your billing cycle. It's our way of making sure your good deeds don’t go unrewarded.

Why refer friends to WHC? 

For over 20 years, WHC has defined excellence in Canadian web hosting with unmatched security and performance, backed by 24/7 bilingual technical support. We’re SOC2 compliant, powered by renewable energy, and committed to community and environmental sustainability. With a 93% satisfaction rate, choosing WHC means you're supporting a local company that cares deeply about its customers, people, and the planet.

Our commitment to you and your friends

At WHC, we see our customers and the people they refer to us as an integral part of a community. We’re deeply committed to providing exceptional service and support to help you and anyone you refer succeed online. 

Ready to start? 

If you’re ready to start sharing the best in Canadian web hosting, head over to your Client Area, grab your link, and start spreading the word. If you’d prefer earning cash instead of free months, you should consider becoming an affiliate.

Great hosting is better when shared with friends—and it doesn’t get much better than earning free months for you and your friend while you’re at it!

Accessibility

Improving Web Accessibility for Your WordPress Site

Have you checked your website's accessibility level lately? In today’s digital age, the web should be accessible to everyone. Web accessibility is an important aspect that’s too often overlooked, especially considering over 25% of Canadians aged 15 and older report at least one disability!

This article introduces web accessibility, underscores its importance, and serves as a guide to help you make your WordPress website accessible to everyone. Let’s dive in:

What is Web Accessibility?

Web accessibility is like hosting a party where everyone who’s invited can actually come and participate.

Essentially, Web Accessibility is the practice of making sure websites work for everyone, including people with disabilities. It’s about designing and creating sites that anyone can use, no matter how they interact with the web—like using a keyboard instead of a mouse or needing text to be read aloud because they can't see the screen well. It’s the process of eliminating barriers for anyone who wants to visit and interact with your website.

Why is Web Accessibility important?

Accessibility ensures ALL users, regardless of their abilities, can navigate, understand, and interact with the web. Moreover, an accessible website also,

  • Enhances your website’s user Experience (UX) across the board.
  • Increases reach and market penetration by making your content available to a wider audience.
  • Improves SEO rankings as search engines prioritize accessible websites.
  • Mitigates legal risks by complying with standards like the Accessible Canada Act.

Understanding W3C and WCAG

We now know the importance of making your website accessible and usable by everyone, including those with disabilities. But who sets those accessibility guidelines and standards? 

The role of W3C in Web Accessibility

The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of the web. This consortium gathers experts from around the world to develop protocols, standards and guidelines to ensure the web’s long-term growth. W3C plays a critical role in making the web open, functional, and accessible for everyone, including people with disabilities.

What is WCAG?

Developed by W3C, the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are the cornerstone of web accessibility efforts worldwide. Think of it like the blueprint of inclusion on the web. Originating in 2008, these guidelines have evolved through several updates to accommodate a broader spectrum of disabilities:

  • WCAG 2.0: Introduced in 2008 as the initial web accessibility standards.
  • WCAG 2.1: Released in 2018 to cover a wider range of disability needs.
  • WCAG 2.2: Launched in 2023 to further refine accessibility guidelines.

Measuring accessibility with 3 conformance levels

The WCAG outlines 3 levels of accessibility conformance, ranging from basic accessibility features to the most stringent requirements.

  1. Level A: A website meets the basic web accessibility features
  2. Level AA: This is typically the standard required by laws and regulations worldwide. It means a website addresses the major requirements for disability access.
  3. Level AAA: This is the most stringent level, and it means a website meets the highest standard of web accessibility.

What is typically the standard here in Canada? Ideally, this is the standard recommended for a website. The Accessible Canada Act requires all organizations under federal jurisdiction including all federal departments and agencies to make their websites and digital content accessible at a Level AA. 

Applying the POUR principles

In order to simplify things, the W3C introduced the POUR principles, a framework that helps implement accessibility guidelines. Its acronym represents 4 key aspects of web accessibility:

Perceivable: All users should be able to access and understand your site's content, whether through sight, sound, or touch​​. Make sure to: 

  • Include captions in your videos and transcripts to audio files for deaf or hearing-impaired users.
  • Use alternative text (also called “alt tags”) for every image to help visually impaired users.

Operable: Your site should work for everyone, regardless of how they navigate it. Make sure to: 

  • Have multiple ways to interact with your website like using a keyboard instead of a mouse to scroll​.
  • Give clear instructions or error recovery options that can be controlled regardless of abilities.
  • Forget elements that require drag-and-drop interactions unless there is an accessible alternative.

Understandable: Your website and your content should be easy to navigate, read or understand. Everything from information to how the site works should be straightforward​. Make sure to:

  • Choose a language level that’s easy to read and understand (typically at an 8th-grade reading level if writing for the general public).
  • Include shorter supplements of information, such as TLDR summaries or excerpts before long articles or written descriptions for charts or graphs.
  • Select functions and elements that are easily understandable, by staying consistent with font styles, colors, and sizing across all pages of the site
  • Have an easy-to-navigate structure, clear instructions for forms and visible form labels, etc. 

Robust: Your site should work well with different technologies, including browsers and assistive tools​​. This means: 

  • Be able to function across many current and future devices, operating systems, and browsers.
  • Consider supporting some outdated operating systems and browser versions, as some users (especially those who use assistive technology) are less likely to be running the most up-to-date versions of their browser or operating system.
  • Test and validate against technical standards for applicable platforms.

WordPress and Web Accessibility

WordPress is a top choice for building accessible websites, thanks to its flexible architecture, built-in tools that comply with international standards and a robust team dedicated to keeping web inclusivity front and center. Whether you're just starting or looking to improve, WordPress offers tools and features that help ensure your site meets accessibility standards.

Choosing an accessibility-ready theme

Choosing the right WordPress theme is critical, as it forms the foundation of these accessibility features. There are a ton of accessibility-ready WordPress themes out there. These themes are built with accessibility in mind from the outset and make it significantly easier to achieve and maintain compliance with WCAG standards, ensuring your website is accessible to all users.

Leveraging accessibility plug-ins

You can easily enhance your website's accessibility by using plugins designed to improve various aspects such as:

  • UserWay: The world’s #1 website accessibility solution offers a variety of tools to improve accessibility features.
  • WP Accessibility Helper: Simplifies the management of common accessibility issues, such as font size adjustments and contrast settings.
  • A11y Color Contrast Accessibility Validator: Helps ensure that your site's color contrast meets the minimum requirements for readability.

Creating accessible content

Content matters. So it’s important to create content that everyone can enjoy:

  • Use Alt Text for every image to describe what the image shows. In WordPress, you can add this directly in the media uploader.
  • Structure your content with proper heading tags (H1, H2, H3) to organize and describe the main topics of a page.
  • Ensure all your videos have captions and all audio content has transcripts to accommodate users with hearing impairments.

Testing your website for Web Accessibility

Validating your site’s accessibility is crucial. The W3C offers a self-evaluation checklist for your website. You can also use AI-powered tools like AccessScan or AccessibilityChecker to analyze your site and follow the recommendations to make it more accessible. For users of chatGPT, Accessibility Testing GPT is a tool that scans a web page and identifies any issues.

Additionally, keep your WordPress and plugins updated. Updates often include improvements in accessibility features.

WHC’s Commitment to Web Accessibility

WHC is dedicated to making the web accessible. We recently made big improvements to our WHC Client Area, making sure it meets WCAG Level AA requirements. We're committed to keeping up this standard and are working to make all parts of our website just as accessible. Our goal is to help every Canadian succeed online, making sure no one is left out.

Conclusion: Take Action!

Accessibility isn't just a legal requirement—it's our promise to make the web a welcoming place for everyone. The team here believes in tearing down barriers and making the web more inclusive. Want to join in? Every change helps. So, start making small improvements to your website's accessibility today.