Accessibility is not a trend, it is an obligation. With accessible online shops, you not only reach more people, but also demonstrate social responsibility. Find out how you can make your online shop more inclusive – and increase usability and sales at the same time.
What does accessibility mean in e-commerce?
Accessibility as the standard for digital accessibility
Accessibility in e-commerce means that everyone – regardless of their individual abilities or technical limitations – can use an online shop without any problems. This not only sets an example of inclusivity, but also enables all potential customers to have an equal shopping experience.
Relevant standards and guidelines
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) form the basis for accessible websites and online shops. They define clear requirements in four main areas:
- Perceptibility: Content needs to be visible and understandable to all users, for example by using high contrast colours or scalable font sizes.
- Usability: Every function of the shop – from navigation to product selection – should be usable without a mouse, e.g. only with the keyboard.
- Comprehensibility: Clear structures and simple language help all users to find their way around quickly.
- Robustness: Content and functions must work smoothly across devices and with assistive technologies such as screen readers.
Examples of accessible features
To ensure accessibility in your online store, the following functions should be included:
- Screen reader compatibility: All content, such as product information or navigation elements, can be read aloud by screen readers for the visually impaired.
- Keyboard navigation: Users can navigate through the website without having to use a mouse.
- Alt texts for images: Alternative texts allow visual content to be described in a way that can be recognised by screen readers.
- Flexible customisation options: Users can adjust font size, contrast, or speech output to suit their individual needs.
Why is accessibility essential?
Legal requirements for accessibility
Advantages of accessible online shops
Accessibility as a competitive advantage
1. Tapping into new target groups
2. Greater user-friendliness for all
Accessibility not only improves accessibility, but also ensures better usability. Clear navigation, easy-to-read font sizes and responsive designs are helpful for all customers. The result: fewer cancellations in the checkout process and a longer dwell time on your site.
3. Strengthening brand perception
An accessible online shop shows that your company acts in a socially responsible manner and is committed to inclusion. This strengthens your brand image and promotes the trust of your customers. Accessibility is an essential element, especially for brands that emphasise sustainability and social responsibility.
4. Improved SEO performance
Accessibility and search engine optimisation (SEO) go hand in hand. Websites with clearly structured code, descriptive alt tags and fast loading times are ranked higher by search engines such as Google. This means that your shop becomes more visible, which generates more traffic in the long term.
5. Future-proofing and innovation
Technical implementation of accessible online shops
Modern shop systems such as novomind iSHOP provide the perfect basis for implementing accessibility efficiently and sustainably.
Best practice for accessible shops
To make your shop accessible, consider the following measures:
- Semantic HTML code: Clear and clean coding ensures that screen readers can interpret content correctly.
- Responsive design: The shop needs to adapt to different devices and screen sizes so that it works smoothly on smartphones or tablets.
- Keyboard navigation: All functions should be accessible using the keyboard so that people with motor impairments can also use the shop.
- High contrast colours: Adequate colour contrast improves readability for people with visual impairments or colour blindness.
- Alt texts for images: Images and visual elements require descriptive alt texts to make information available to screen readers.
Accessibility tools and technologies
There are a variety of tools and technologies that can help you ensure the accessibility of your online store:
- Accessibility checker: Automated tools such as WAVE or Lighthouse check your website for accessibility standards and identify weak points.
- Content management systems (CMS): Use systems that provide accessible templates and functions.
- Assistive technologies: Incorporate software such as screen readers or voice output systems to improve usability for people with visual or hearing impairments.
- Testing with people with disabilities: Have your shop tested by people with disabilities to identify any real usage problems.
Conclusion
The advantages of accessible online shops speak for themselves: you reach more customers, strengthen your brand and secure a competitive edge in the market. At the same time, you can show that your company is responding to social trends and actively promoting inclusion. An investment in accessibility is therefore an investment in the future of your company.
With the right tools, technology and a clear strategy, you can make your online store accessible and more user-friendly for everyone. Modern solutions such as novomind iSHOP make it easy to break down barriers and create an outstanding shopping experience for all customers. With novomind iSHOP, you can rely on a state-of-the-art and flexible shop system that offers you all the tools you need to realise accessibility.
