Why these two features work together
A visitor who uses a keyboard may have to move through a logo, menu, search field and other repeated controls before reaching the page’s content. A skip link gives them a shortcut. A visitor using a screen reader can use page landmarks to jump directly to areas such as navigation or main content. These features solve related problems, but neither replaces the other.
Think of landmarks as a simple map of the page and a skip link as a direct route to its most common destination. Both are useful on a small website, where the same header and navigation may appear on every page. They are also manageable improvements: you can start with one representative page, then carry the pattern into shared templates.
Give each major area a clear role
Most pages need a site header, a navigation area, one main content area and a footer. Use the appropriate semantic page elements so assistive technology can identify those areas as landmarks. Keep the main area for content that is unique to the page; a repeated site menu belongs outside it. If a page has a genuinely separate supporting area, such as related resources, an aside may be appropriate. Not every group of links or boxed panel needs its own landmark.
If you have more than one navigation area, give each a short, distinct label, such as “Primary navigation” and “Footer navigation.” That helps visitors tell them apart when moving through a list of landmarks. Headings still matter: a landmark identifies a broad area, while headings explain how its content is organized. A clear page title and sensible heading order make the main area easier to explore once someone reaches it.
Review shared templates before adding extra roles or labels. Native semantic elements usually provide the landmark meaning already. Adding the same role again rarely helps, and labeling every area can make the page map harder to scan. Aim for recognizable regions rather than the largest possible number of regions.
Put a skip link at the start of the page
A common skip link says “Skip to main content.” Place it near the beginning of the page’s keyboard order, before the repeated header controls and navigation links. Its destination should be the unique identifier on the main content area. When activated, it should take the visitor to that area, not to a decorative wrapper above it or to a position that still leaves them working through the menu.
The link can be visually tucked away when it is not in use, but make it visible when it receives keyboard focus. Do not hide it in a way that prevents keyboard users from reaching or seeing it. Give its focused appearance enough contrast and space to notice, especially if the site has a fixed header. A skip link that is technically present but covered by a sticky bar is not doing its job.
Keep the link wording consistent across pages and check that every template includes a matching destination. If your site uses different layouts for articles, landing pages and search results, each layout needs its own check. Avoid adding several skip links by default; add another only when it serves a clear, repeated need.
Test the journey, not just the markup
Open a page and use the Tab key from the top without a mouse. The skip link should be one of the first controls you reach. When it appears, activate it with Enter. Check where the page moves, where keyboard focus goes next and whether a fixed header obscures the destination. Continue tabbing to confirm you can move through the main content in a sensible order. Repeat on a long page, where a failed shortcut is easier to spot.
If you have access to a screen reader, inspect its landmark list. Can you distinguish the navigation areas? Is there one clear main area? Can you reach it and then use headings to find the section you need? This is a check of the visitor’s route, not merely whether landmark names appear in a tool. It can reveal confusing labels, missing destinations or content placed in the wrong region.
Finally, make landmarks and the skip link part of your publishing checklist. When you change a shared header, add a menu or introduce a new page template, run the short keyboard test again. A predictable structure maintained over time is more helpful than a one-off accessibility fix.
