Making your ecommerce platform accessible in 2025 is more important than ever. Accessibility not only creates a better user experience for all customers but also helps businesses reach a broader audience, including individuals with disabilities. This guide explores the essentials of ecommerce accessibility, key compliance considerations, and actionable steps for creating a more inclusive online shopping experience.
Ecommerce accessibility refers to creating online stores that can be used by everyone, including individuals with disabilities. It involves designing and developing websites in ways that eliminate barriers to access and make navigation, purchasing, and engagement seamless for all users. This includes considerations for individuals with visual, auditory, motor, and cognitive impairments.
Accessibility is not just about making a website functional, it’s about providing an equitable experience for all visitors. For example, someone with a visual impairment may rely on screen readers to interpret text and images, while a person with limited motor skills may need to navigate the site using only a keyboard. Addressing these needs makes your ecommerce platform more inclusive.
Laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and guidelines such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) directly impact ecommerce websites. While the ADA initially applied to physical spaces, its principles have extended to online platforms as courts increasingly recognize websites as “places of public accommodation.” This means businesses are legally expected to provide equal access to their online goods and services.
The ADA also applies to businesses operating online, requiring them to provide equitable access to goods and services. Courts have increasingly interpreted ecommerce websites as “public accommodations,” making accessibility necessary.
Missing Alt Text: Images without descriptive text can’t be interpreted by screen readers.
Inaccessible Navigation: Menus and elements that can’t be navigated with a keyboard create barriers.
Poor Color Contrast: Low contrast ratios make it difficult for visually impaired users to read content.
Complex Forms: Checkout and registration forms lacking clear labels or instructions can exclude users.
Lack of Captions: Videos without captions are inaccessible to users with hearing impairments.
Broader Audience Reach: By addressing accessibility needs, businesses can connect with a wider range of customers.
Legal Risk Mitigation: Following accessibility standards reduces exposure to lawsuits and penalties.
Enhanced User Experience: Accessibility features improve usability for all customers, not just those with disabilities.