Why moving from PDFs to Webpages is happening
Over time, you may need to comply with ongoing accessibility regulations that dictate that many of your documents, reports, and guides should appear as regular webpages instead of PDF files that open in a separate window or download. These changes ensure that everyone—regardless of how they access the internet—has the same high-quality experience of access to your documents. Here are the reasons why, comparing PDF with webpage views of the same information.
Better for Mobile Phones
When you open a PDF on a smartphone, it often looks like a miniature version of a printed piece of paper. You usually have to "pinch and zoom" and slide your screen left-to-right just to read a single sentence. By moving this information directly onto a webpage, the text now "reflows" automatically. This means the words will resize and stack perfectly to fit your screen, so you only ever have to scroll up and down.
More Accessible for Everyone
Standard webpages (HTML) are much friendlier to assistive technology than PDFs. For visitors who use screen readers, a webpage provides a clear "map" of headings and sections, making it easy to skip to the information they need. Additionally, if you prefer to use high-contrast colors, larger fonts, or "Dark Mode" in your browser settings, a webpage will respect those choices instantly. PDFs are often "locked," making them much harder to customize for your own visual comfort.
Faster and Easier to Search
Web-based documents load much faster because your browser doesn't have to download a heavy file or open a separate "viewer" window. It also makes finding information much easier; when you use the website's search bar, it can now "see" the text inside these pages and lead you exactly where you need to go.
By moving away from pop-up document windows, you can make your information more readable, more searchable, and more inclusive for all visitors.