How to improve Web Accessibility of your Shopify store

Improving the accessibility of your Shopify store is crucial to ensure that all visitors, including those with disabilities, can navigate and use your website effectively. Keeping accessibility in mind when designing and building your Shopify store help you to provide an inclusive experience for all of your customers.

Here are some steps you can take to make your Shopify store more accessible:

1. Use an accessible theme:
   Select a Shopify theme that is designed with accessibility in mind. Look for themes that have built-in accessibility features and comply with WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) standards.
   

2. Provide alt text for images: 

   Add descriptive alternative text (alt text) to all images on your store. Alt text helps screen readers describe the image content to visually impaired users. In Shopify, you can easily add alt text by editing each image's "Alt text" field.
   

3.  Ensure keyboard navigation:
   Test your store's navigation using only the keyboard. Make sure all interactive elements, such as links and buttons, can be easily accessed and used with the keyboard alone. Avoid relying solely on mouse interactions.
   

4. Use clear and consistent headings:
   Structure your content using appropriate heading tags (H1, H2, etc.) to create a logical hierarchy. This helps screen readers and visually impaired users understand the organization of your content.
   

5. Provide descriptive link text: 
   Use descriptive anchor text for your links instead of generic phrases like "click here" or "read more." This allows users with screen readers to understand the purpose of the link without relying on surrounding context.
   

6. Ensure color contrast:
   Maintain sufficient color contrast between the text and background colors. This helps users with visual impairments read your content more easily. Use online tools like WebAIM's Color Contrast Checker to verify your color choices.
   

7. Include captions and transcripts:
   If you have videos or audio content on your store, provide captions and transcripts. This benefits users with hearing impairments and allows them to access the information without relying on sound.
   

8. Test with assistive technologies:
   Use screen readers and other assistive technologies to test your store's accessibility. This can help you identify any issues and make necessary improvements.
   

9. Provide accessible forms:
   Ensure that your forms are accessible by adding clear labels, instructions, and error messages. Use appropriate form fields and provide helpful hints for users filling out the form.
   

10. Offer alternative formats:
    Consider offering alternative formats for downloadable documents, such as PDFs. Provide HTML versions whenever possible or ensure that PDFs are accessible by adding proper tags and structure.
    

Accessibility is an ongoing process, and it's important to continually evaluate and improve your store's accessibility based on user feedback and industry-standard.

For further information about the standards and strategies around Web Accessibility visit the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)

With every Shopify project, we take care of the essential and industry Standard Web accessibility practices. To work with us on your next project visit: www.kyomidesign.com/Services