Accessibility
Accessibility is building the store so shoppers with disabilities can browse, choose, and check out without barriers.
What ecommerce accessibility is
Accessibility is building the store so people with disabilities can use it: screen-reader users, keyboard-only navigation, low vision, color blindness, motor and cognitive differences.
The common reference standard is WCAG, the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines.
Why accessibility matters
It’s customers: a meaningful share of shoppers rely on accessible design, and an unusable checkout turns them away silently. It’s also legal exposure in many markets, and the fixes improve the experience for everyone.
Accessibility basics for stores
- Alt text on product and interface images
- Full keyboard operability, checkout included
- Sufficient color contrast and visible focus states
- Labeled forms with clear, specific error messages
Frequently asked questions
Do accessibility overlay widgets solve it?
No: one-line overlay scripts mostly mask issues rather than fix them, and they draw criticism from the users they claim to serve. The underlying templates need the work.
Where do store checkouts fail accessibility most?
Unlabeled fields, error messages that don’t say what’s wrong or where, focus lost between steps, and buttons that only work with a mouse.