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Glossary of Terms

We have compiled this list of terms and definitions to help you better understand the terminology used within the web development community.

Bypass Blocks

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Bypass Blocks are mechanisms like skip-to-content links that let keyboard and screen reader users jump past repeated navigation to reach the main content. Without them, users have to tab through the same menus on every single page. Adding bypass options dramatically improves navigation speed.

Bypass Blocks

Every page on a typical website starts with the same header, navigation, and branding elements. For mouse users, scrolling past them is effortless. For keyboard and screen reader users, it means tabbing through dozens of links on every page just to reach the actual content. Bypass blocks — most commonly a "skip to main content" link — let users jump past repeated navigation and get straight to what they came for.

Why It Matters

  • Keyboard users tab through everything. Without a skip link, a keyboard user must press Tab through every navigation link, utility link, and search form before reaching the page content. On a site with 30 nav links, that is 30 key presses per page.
  • Screen reader users hear everything. A screen reader announces every focusable element in order. Listening to the same navigation menu read aloud on every page is exhausting and wastes time.
  • It is a WCAG Level A requirement. Success Criterion 2.4.1 requires a mechanism to bypass blocks of content that repeat across pages. This is not an enhancement — it is a fundamental accessibility standard.
  • It benefits power users too. Anyone who navigates by keyboard — not just assistive tool users — appreciates being able to skip past boilerplate content to get to the page's unique material.

How to Implement It

  1. Add a skip link as the first focusable element. Place <a href="#main-content" class="skip-link">Skip to main content</a> as the very first element inside <body>. It should be the first thing a keyboard user encounters.
  2. Target the main content area. Add id="main-content" to your <main> element or the container that holds the page's primary content. The skip link will jump focus directly there.
  3. Make it visible on focus. The skip link can be visually hidden by default using CSS, but it must become visible when it receives keyboard focus. This ensures sighted keyboard users can see and use it.
  4. Use proper landmark regions. In addition to skip links, using semantic HTML landmarks like <nav>, <main>, <aside>, and <footer> lets screen reader users jump between sections at any time.
  5. Add a tabindex="-1" to the target if needed. Some browsers do not move focus to non-interactive elements when following an anchor link. Adding tabindex="-1" to the target ensures focus actually moves there.

Common Mistakes

  • Hiding the skip link permanently. Using display: none removes the link from the tab order entirely. It must remain focusable — only visually hidden until activated.
  • Pointing to the wrong target. A skip link that jumps to the top of the page or to the wrong section defeats the purpose. Make sure it lands immediately before the main content.
  • Placing it after the navigation. If the skip link appears after all the navigation links, users have already tabbed through everything by the time they reach it. It must come first.
  • Not testing it with a keyboard. Tab to the skip link, press Enter, and verify that your next Tab press lands on the first interactive element inside the main content. If it jumps back to the header, the implementation is broken.
Bottom Line: A skip link is one of the simplest and most impactful accessibility features you can add. Make it the first focusable element on the page, make it visible on focus, and point it at your main content. Your keyboard users will thank you on every page they visit.
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Synonyms: Skip Nav, Skip to Content, Skip Link

What Does "Liquid Purple" mean?

noun | / LIK-wid PUR-pul /

  1. (biochemistry) Also known as visual purple or rhodopsin — a light-sensitive receptor protein found in the rods of the retina. It enables vision in dim light by transforming invisible darkness into visible form. Derived from the Greek rhódon (rose) and ópsis (sight), its name reflects its delicate pink hue and vital role in perception.

  2. (modern usage) Liquid Purple — a digital marketing agency specializing in uncovering unseen opportunities and illuminating brands hidden in the digital dark. Much like its biological namesake, Liquid Purple transforms faint signals into clear visibility — revealing what others overlook and bringing businesses into the light.

Origin: From the scientific term rhodopsin, discovered by Franz Christian Boll in 1876; adopted metaphorically by a marketing firm dedicated to visual clarity in the age of algorithms.

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For over 20 years, Liquid Purple has been headquartered in the heart of Southern California, serving clients across Irvine, Newport Beach, Anaheim, and the greater Los Angeles area. While we are proud of our local roots, our digital reach extends far beyond our local area. We support businesses in major hubs like Denver, Dallas, New York, and Miami, as well as international clients. Our ability to operate across time zones means you can often wake up to completed tasks and progress updates—keeping your business moving while you sleep.