If you’ve ever set up a dropdown menu in WordPress, you might have been tempted to make the parent menu item link to # instead of a real page. It’s quick, easy, and stops people from clicking through to a “blank” page.
But here’s the catch, this little shortcut can cause big accessibility problems.
At Polyspiral, we design websites that are not just beautiful, but accessible to everyone, so here’s why we avoid using # links in menus, and what we recommend instead.
Keyboard Navigation Problems
Many people navigate websites using only a keyboard. They expect menu items to either open a page, or clearly act as a button to reveal more options.
When the link is just #, pressing Enter usually scrolls the page back to the top, which can feel broken and frustrating.
Screen Reader Confusion
Screen reader users rely on clear, descriptive links.
A parent menu item that links to # gets announced as a link, but doesn’t lead anywhere, and doesn’t tell the user that it has a submenu.
Without extra accessibility code, like ARIA attributes, users won’t know they can expand it for more choices.
Mobile and Touch Device Issues
On mobile, a # link can be clunky. Sometimes you have to tap twice to open the submenu, other times, the menu collapses before you can choose an option.
This happens because the browser is trying to both “follow” the link and open the dropdown at the same time.
The Better Alternatives
If you want a dropdown menu, there are more accessible ways to set it up.
Option 1: Make the Parent a Real Page
Create a parent page that lists all the subpages.
Example: a “Services” page with a dropdown showing “Web Design”, “SEO”, and “Hosting”.
This gives every visitor, no matter how they navigate, a clear way to see all the options.
Option 2: Use a Button, Not a Link
If you don’t want a parent page, make the menu item a <button> that toggles the submenu.
With proper ARIA attributes, aria-haspopup="true" and aria-expanded, it will be screen-reader friendly.
Why It Matters
Accessibility isn’t just about ticking boxes, it’s about making sure every visitor can find what they need without frustration, whether they’re using a keyboard, a screen reader, or a smartphone.
At Polyspiral, we build menus, and entire websites, that work for everyone. That means avoiding the quick fixes that hurt usability and instead building in a way that’s both beautiful and accessible.
Need help making your website’s menu accessible?
Get in touch with us today, we’ll help make sure your site works for all your visitors, without sacrificing style.
