How I Build Accessible, Fast Websites With Astro

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Matt LaFalce
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In today’s web, speed and accessibility are just as important as aesthetics. Here’s how I use Astro and other modern tools to build sites that load fast, work everywhere, and are inclusive to all users.

⚡ Why Astro?

Astro is built for performance. It ships zero JavaScript by default, allows fine control over what gets rendered on the server vs the client, and produces lightning-fast static sites. I use it for marketing pages, blogs, and even hybrid apps.

🔍 Accessibility First

From the start, I use:

  • Semantic HTML elements
  • Skip links and proper heading structures
  • Color contrast tools and WCAG checks
  • Screen reader-friendly navigation and labels

This isn’t just about compliance—it’s about building for real users.

🌎 Performance Tactics

  • Optimized images and SVGs
  • Lighthouse scores above 95
  • TailwindCSS for tight styling control
  • Astro Islands for JavaScript where needed

I even integrate CMSs and APIs in ways that don’t bloat the frontend.

🧰 Tools & Process

  • GitHub + CI/CD for dependable deployments
  • Netlify or Vercel for global edge hosting
  • Astro components + Markdown/MDX for content workflows

Everything is documented, versioned, and easy to scale.

🧠 Final Thought

Beautiful websites are great—but fast, usable, and inclusive ones are better. I work with startups and businesses that care about quality and user experience, and Astro helps me deliver that.

If you need help building a performant, accessible site, reach out—I’d love to help.