Why PDFs Are Not Ideal for Web Content

When sharing information online, it’s tempting to simply upload a PDF and link to it on your website. While PDFs have their place, especially for print-friendly versions of documents, they fall short in the digital space in several key areas. Before we lose you, we understand there is a place for print documents like PDFs, and providing those as supplemental document downloads can be helpful in many areas, such as calendars. In this post, we’ll explore why linking to a PDF isn’t the best approach for your web content and why housing that content directly on a web page is crucial for both accessibility and responsiveness.

Prioritizing Accessibility and Responsiveness

PDFs can present significant accessibility challenges. Many PDFs are not created with accessibility in mind, making it difficult for individuals with disabilities to access the content. Screen readers, for example, often struggle to interpret PDFs accurately, especially if they contain complex layouts, images without alt text, or improperly tagged elements. This can leave users with disabilities unable to fully engage with the content, which goes against the principles of inclusive design.

On the other hand, web pages can be designed to be fully accessible. Using layouts and elements within your website platform, you can ensure that content is structured so screen readers can easily navigate. Additionally, web pages allow for the use of ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) attributes, which can further enhance the accessibility of your content.

Responsiveness and Mobile Friendliness

PDFs are not inherently responsive, meaning they don’t automatically adjust to different screen sizes. On mobile devices, PDFs often require users to pinch, zoom, and scroll horizontally—an experience that can be frustrating and off-putting. This lack of responsiveness can lead to a poor user experience, potentially driving visitors away from your site.

In contrast, web pages are designed to be responsive. With the right coding and structuring, your content can seamlessly adapt to any screen size, providing a consistent and user-friendly experience whether your visitors are on a desktop, tablet, or smartphone. This responsiveness is crucial in today’s mobile-first world, where a significant portion of web traffic comes from mobile devices.

SEO and Discoverability

Search engines like Google can index web pages much more effectively than PDFs. While some PDFs are searchable, they often don’t rank as well in search engine results as web pages. This is because web pages offer more opportunities for search engine optimization (SEO), including meta descriptions, header tags, and alt text for images—all elements that contribute to better visibility in search engine results.

By keeping your content on a web page, you increase the chances that it will be discovered by a wider audience. Additionally, web pages allow for better integration with your site’s overall structure, improving navigation and user experience.

User Experience

Web pages offer a more interactive and engaging user experience compared to PDFs. You can incorporate multimedia elements like videos, interactive forms, and animations, which are impossible with PDFs. Additionally, web pages load faster and can be easily updated, ensuring your content is always up-to-date.

When to Use PDFs: Supplemental, Print-Friendly Versions

While web pages should house all your content, PDFs still have a role to play. They can be offered as supplemental, print-friendly versions of your web content for users who prefer to have a physical copy. However, it’s important to ensure that all critical information and key content are available directly on the web page.

While PDFs have their uses, they are not suited to be the primary format for delivering content on a website. By keeping your content on a web page, you ensure that it is accessible, responsive, and discoverable, providing the best possible experience for all users. PDFs should only be used as a secondary option, offering a print-friendly version of the web content without compromising the accessibility and responsiveness of your site.