The complete guide to accessibility on Shopify

Creating an inclusive, accessible online shopping experience is essential for businesses in today's digital landscape. Shopify, one of the leading ecommerce platforms, offers a range of features and tools to help store owners make sure their sites are accessible to all users, including people with disabilities. In this guide, we look at the key aspects of Shopify accessibility and share practical tips for making your online store inclusive and user-friendly for everyone.

Choose an accessible theme:
When setting up your Shopify store, choose a theme designed with accessibility in mind. Shopify offers a variety of accessibility-friendly themes with features such as clear typography, color contrast options and keyboard navigation. Look for themes that meet WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) standards to give your accessible store a solid foundation.

Make sure content is clear and readable:
Make sure your site's content is easy for all users to read. Use legible fonts and easy-to-read font sizes, especially for people with visual impairments. Ensure sufficient color contrast between text and background elements to improve readability for users with low vision. Avoid decorative fonts that can get in the way of reading. Also provide alternative text (alt text) for images to help users with visual impairments understand the content.

Keyboard accessibility:
Many users rely on keyboard navigation instead of a mouse or touchscreen. Make sure your Shopify store can be navigated fully with a keyboard alone. That includes making all interactive elements, such as links and buttons, reachable with the Tab key. Users should be able to navigate your website, fill out forms and make purchases without needing a mouse or touchscreen.

Mobile responsiveness:
With more and more people shopping online on mobile devices, it is essential that your Shopify store is mobile responsive and accessible across screen sizes. Optimize your site's layout, font sizes and touch targets for mobile users. Test your store on different devices and screen sizes to ensure a smooth, accessible mobile experience.

Alt text for images:
Adding alternative text (alt text) to images matters not only for SEO but is also essential for users with visual impairments who rely on screen readers to interpret content. Alt text provides a text description of the image, letting users with visual impairments understand its context and relevance. Shopify lets you add alt text to images when you upload them to your store.

Clear navigation and structure:
An organized, intuitive navigation structure is essential for accessibility. Make sure your site's navigation is clear and consistent across all pages. Use descriptive labels for navigation links and organize content logically. Use headings and subheadings to create a hierarchical structure that helps screen readers understand how the content is organized.

Accessibility apps and tools:
Shopify offers various apps and integrations that can improve your store's accessibility. These apps provide additional accessibility features, such as text-to-speech, screen reader compatibility and color contrast checks. Explore the Shopify App Store for accessibility apps and tools that match your specific accessibility goals.

Offer multiple payment options:
Offering a variety of payment options accommodates different user preferences and needs. Make sure your Shopify store supports a range of payment methods, including credit cards, PayPal and alternative payment options popular in specific regions. This ensures that customers with diverse requirements can complete their purchases easily and efficiently.

Testing and feedback:
Test your store's accessibility regularly with automated tools, such as an accessibility checker, to identify potential issues. These tools can help detect accessibility violations and suggest improvements. Also encourage feedback from users, including people with disabilities, to learn about their experiences and make the adjustments needed to improve accessibility.

Train your team:
Finally, teach your team about the importance of accessibility

With the accessibility module in our Sense-RTL app (Pro plan) you can maximize your site's accessibility and make it easy to get around your store. Click here to add the app to your store.