Ensuring Accessibility in E-Commerce Platforms

🌐 The accessibility of websites remains an under-discussed topic. Beyond being a moral obligation to ensure everyone can navigate the digital realm, improving accessibility also boosts conversions. And, if you need another push, there are already web accessibility laws in the US, with similar regulations emerging in the EU. Are you considering enhancing the accessibility of your website or webshop? Dive into this free checklist 📋 crafted by Niels van der Leeuw, UX expert at Online Dialogue. We've transcribed the list below for seamless access for those relying on screen readers. 🎧 Titles - Does the title of the page (not the <h1>) describe the purpose or topic of the page? - Do titles that are titles also look like this? - Has a hierarchical structure been created between the titles? Navigation - Is there a method to skip repetitive navigation and navigate directly to the page content? (Including HTML/ARIA landmarks) Links - Does the link text describe the ultimate purpose or destination of the link? Zoom in / Responsiveness - Can a user enlarge/zoom the website on their chosen device? - Can a user use the website in both "Landscape" and "Portrait" mode? Color/Contrast - Is information conveyed without just using color? For example, consider an error message in an input field, which is supported with both color and text. - Does all text have a minimum contrast value of 4.5/1 (or 3/1 for large text)? - Can a link be recognized and distinguished by more than just the color of the text? - Do elements have a clear focus to ensure that people who don't use a mouse know which element is active? Pictures - Do images use "Alt texts" so that screen readers can describe what the image is about? - Is content posted on the website and not embedded in an image? (Except logos) Forms - Do all input fields have a label that is always visible to the user? - Are all elements present near the input field that a user can use to make changes? Consider an "Edit" or "Delete" button - Are the forms developed so that "Auto-fill" can be used? #WebAccessibility #DigitalInclusion #UXDesign #ConversionOptimization

How to start improving web accessibility in 2026 with a human approach Web accessibility is for people, by people - this simple idea should shape how to begin. When you hear “WCAG,” “aria roles,” or “accessibility audit,” it can feel overwhelming, especially at the start of a new year with big goals. But accessibility doesn’t begin with memorizing criteria, it starts with listening to real humans. 1️⃣ Ask your people first - one of the most effective first steps is simply reaching out: “Do you have any issues using our website or reading our content? How can we make your experience better?” Post that question on your website or social media, send a newsletter message, or add it to your contact page. You’ll be amazed at how many insights come directly from users, including people with disabilities you might never meet otherwise. This aligns with user-centered research: involving users with disabilities early leads to better outcomes and avoids assumptions. There’s solid evidence that co-design with users produces more accessible solutions rather than relying on internal guesswork alone. 2️⃣ Don’t start by memorizing all WCAG rules. I advise to begin with a simple set of human-friendly priorities - the things that improve accessibility for most users right away. For example: · Ensure keyboard access: can all users perform the main tasks (search, submit a form, complete a purchase) using only a keyboard? · Readable content: does your text structure flow logically with headings and lists? Does it make sense when read aloud by a screen reader? · High contrast text: are your foreground and background colors easily distinguishable for users with low vision? · Clear labels and instructions: do your forms and navigation have clear, consistent labels? · Alt text for meaningful images: does every non-decorative image have useful alternative text? 3️⃣ Set priorities Start with the main task of your website or app. What do you want people to accomplish? For example, for an ecommerce site, it might be completing a purchase; for a blog, it might be reading an article or subscribing to updates. I also advise to focus on issues you can fix quickly but that bring high value, like color contrast, basic keyboard navigation or readable headings, so you get real wins early. 4️⃣ Make accessibility part of everyday processes. Accessibility shouldn’t be a special project, it should be part of how you build things. It will be great to add it to: · kickoff meetings for new features · design reviews · QA checklists · mandatory trainings for team members Studies have shown that when accessibility is integrated into existing workflows and culture, organizations improve faster and more sustainably. Improving web accessibility doesn’t require perfection on day one - it starts with curiosity, empathy, and action. #WebAccessibility #Accessibility #InclusiveDesign #A11y #DigitalInclusion #UserCenteredDesign #AccessibleByDefault

If you build websites for clients, their biggest revenue month is happening right now. And if their holiday sale page isn't keyboard accessible, their checkout form confuses screen readers, or their gift guide images have no alt text - they're losing sales. When January rolls around and they're reviewing why conversions were down, guess who they're going to call? Here's what to check on your clients' sites before the holiday rush peaks: • Promo videos and ads - Add captions. People are shopping in noisy stores, during family gatherings, and in places where they can't turn sound on. Captions aren't just for deaf users - they help everyone. • Product images and gift guides - Make sure every image has meaningful alt text. Screen reader users should know what they're looking at. "Red sweater, cable knit, crew neck" is infinitely more useful than "sweater" or no description at all. • Forms and checkout flows - Test with keyboard only (no mouse). If you can't tab through the entire purchase process and complete it, neither can a lot of your client's customers. Form labels should be clear, error messages should make sense, and focus indicators should be visible. • Navigation and menus - Holiday shoppers are often in a rush. Clear, consistent navigation helps everyone find what they need faster. Bonus: it helps screen reader users and keyboard users actually complete their purchase instead of giving up. • Contrast and readability - That red text on a green background might be festive, but it's unreadable for many people with color blindness. Check your contrast, especially on sale banners and CTAs. These aren't just accessibility fixes - they're user experience improvements that directly impact revenue. And taking 30 minutes to check them now can save you (and your client) a frustrated phone call in January. Accessibility is a business imperative. #Accessibility

One billion people experience disabilities.  As merchants, we talk about serving customers yet design systems that restrict many from even shopping.  This not only hampers sales but fails basic ethical standards. Common obstacles that lock out users:   - Tiny/low contrast text that visual disabilities cannot decipher - Pages without alt text descriptions excluding the visually impaired  - Keyboard limitations hampering those without touch capability The solutions exist through inclusive e-commerce design.  Optimizing for accessibility is proven to increase conversion rates while expanding market reach. Standards like WCAG outline the building blocks:  - Add explanatory alt text for images - Structure logical page layouts   - Ensure color contrast  - Allow keyboard navigation This should be table stakes, not a "nice-to-have."  Equity in commerce will become the next competitive frontier.

Don’t worry about text alternatives for your images Yes, you read that right. If you're just starting to work on accessibility, stop worrying about text alternatives for images. I have never left a webshop because product images didn’t have alt text. But I leave websites every week because: ❌ I can’t navigate the checkout flow with my screen reader. ❌ I can’t activate the "Add to cart" button. ❌ I get stuck somewhere on the page with no way to move forward. Start where it makes the biggest difference for your users and your business. Too many teams get stuck on accessibility because they think they have to start by adding alt text to thousands of images. If that keeps you from fixing the biggest blockers for your users, it's the wrong priority. Instead, ask yourself: ➡️ Can users add a product to the cart? ➡️ Can they complete the payment? ➡️ Can they contact customer support? If not, alt text is the least of your worries right now. So, here’s my suggestion: ✔️ Focus on your key user flows. You already know what they are. ✔️ Run an automated accessibility check on each step. There are plenty of free tools. ✔️ Try completing your user flows using only a keyboard. ✔️ Test if your user flows work with a screen reader. If needed, ask a blind user to help. This won’t solve everything, but it will get you 80% of the way. 💡 If your checkout doesn’t work for everyone, how many sales are you losing? What do you think? Do you agree or disagree with this approach? ♻️ Repost or tag your colleagues, to help more people prioritize accessibility the right way. 🔔 Follow Lars for daily accessibility insights.

$6.9 billion That’s how much consumer companies LOSE every year! Why? Because of their websites and digital strategies - they aren’t accessible to disabled consumers. It is a frustrating experience that forces specially-abled individuals to buy from other companies. And I don’t blame them. Imagine buying from a store with no signs, narrow aisles, or unreachable products. That’s how a visually impaired person may feel on a non-accessible website. So, if you’re a consumer company looking to give your website a new look, here are some key changes you must make to build an accessible site:  ─────── ☀ 𝐔𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐭 𝐭𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬 Ensure every image has descriptive alt text for screen readers. That way, those who are visually impaired can understand the content of the images. ☀ 𝐊𝐞𝐲𝐛𝐨𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐧𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 Design your site so it can be fully navigated using a keyboard. Those who are physically disabled and use special keyboards don’t need to touch with fingers or move a mouse to navigate the site. ☀ 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬 Choose readable fonts and colour contrasts that are easy on the eyes. ☀ 𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐭𝐬 Provide captions for videos and transcripts for audio content, especially for those who are hearing impaired. ☀ 𝐓𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐞𝐬 Regularly test your site with screen readers and other assistive devices. ☀ 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 Include an accessibility statement and offer help options for users who encounter difficulties. These simple changes cost us nothing but make a world of difference to others. [Image Description: Sakhi sitting in front of her desktop.]

Little reminder that an inaccessible website means lost customers, and lost revenues. From the article: "Research shows UK businesses collectively lose £17.1 billion a year because shoppers using assistive technology abandon websites that don’t work for them. During BFCM alone, that translates into nearly £446 million in lost revenue." And, on the other side: disabled shoppers are loyal customers. And, yeah, in an ideal world we would make websites accessible because it's the right thing to do, and it's a universal right. But sometimes, reminding people about the business argument helps. So here are 5 things you can do to get you started with ecommerce accessibility: - do a no-mouse test: can someone complete the purchase with just a keyboard? - check your discount code box: can a screen reader pick up its label? - open and close your popups: do they trap users, can they be closed with escape key? - resize text: does your website still work at 200% without losing content? - run a screen reader test, on main user flows (search, adding to basket, etc). Full article: "Black Friday and Cyber Monday: why accessibility could be your biggest sales advantage" (15min) by Dave Davies https://lnkd.in/ebte534B