The beauty of the digital marketplace lies in its potential unconstrained by physical boundaries. Shouldn’t accessing it be smooth sailing without any obstacles?
Hos Ecwid by Lightspeed, we recognize the importance of accessibility – that’s why our ecommerce platform follows standards issued under the Americans with Disabilities Act, or ADA.
It isn’t just about ticking a box for inclusivity – it struck a chord with online store owners.
One design template for Ecwid stores, i særdeleshed, proved to be a hit, thanks to its accessible design. Nu, it’s the go-to option for entrepreneurs who want their stores to be both easy to use and open to everyone.
What Web Accessibility Means for Online Stores and Why It Is Important
Accessibility isn’t a feature; it’s a necessity. It acknowledges the spectrum of abilities and ensures that disabilities do not deter anyone from using digital platforms.
Common accessibility requirements relate to visual, auditiv, motor, and cognitive abilities. This includes ensuring compatibility with assistive technologies such as screen readers for individuals with visual impairments or alternative keyboard navigation for those with motor disabilities.
It’s a common misconception that accessibility is needed only for individuals with permanent disabilities. It also caters to temporary impairments, such as having a broken arm or recovering from eye surgery.
An accessible website benefits all kinds of users. For eksempel, a parent holding a baby would also benefit from a user-friendly interface that requires minimal use of a mouse or keyboard.
An accessible online store means reaching a wider audience and potential customers. It also promotes inclusivity and creates a more welcoming environment for all website visitors.
Common Guidelines for Ensuring Accessibility
Det Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a well-known law that protects individuals with disabilities from discrimination. This also extends to the digital space, og mange lande har deres eget sæt af retningslinjer for tilgængelighed for websteder og onlineplatforme.
Det Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) er en meget brugt ramme til at skabe tilgængeligt webindhold. Den indeholder fire principper: mærkbare, operativ, forståelig, og robust. Disse principper dækker en række tilgængelighedsbehov og giver specifikke retningslinjer for udviklere at følge.
Empowerment gennem tilgængelighed
I 2020, Lightspeed-teamet meldte sig frivilligt til at skabe en tilgængelig, bilingual online shop for Summit School in Montreal, an organization that helps neurodivergent students reach their potential.
Derefter, when Lightspeed added Ecwid to their lineup, we teamed up and revamped the Summit School’s website, building a Summit Marketplace med Ecwid. The Summit Marketplace showcases the works of developmentally diverse artisans, kunstnere, and entrepreneurs from Summit School.
The Summit Marketplace was built with Ecwid
Som du måske allerede ved, Ecwid provides all users an Instant Site, -en free ecommerce website med en indbygget online butik. Der er forskellige skabeloner til Instant Sites, der er skræddersyet til forskellige nicher.
Oprettelse af en tilgængelig hjemmeside for Summit School inspirerede os til at lave en ny Instant Site-skabelon.
Som nævnt ovenfor, Ecwid var allerede ADA-kompatibel og tjekkede alle boksene for WCAG. Så, hvad besluttede vi os for at tage fat på denne gang?
Her er noget om tilgængelige websteder: Inkorporering af tilgængelighedsfunktioner kommer nogle gange med at ofre webstedets æstetik. For eksempel, balancerende farve, kontrast, og skriftstørrelse kan være udfordrende.
Også, WCAG tests can sometimes show mixed results, as in the example below. A button with black text is perceived as passing the test, yet in reality, it is more challenging to read than the same button featuring white text.
WCAG tests may occasionally yield inaccurate results
Simply following guidelines isn’t enough. Our aim was to develop a template that is not only accessible but also visually appealing, ensuring easy navigation without compromising the website’s aesthetics. We advocate for the idea that accessibility should also embody beauty.
På samme tid, we believe that accessibility should not be sacrificed for aesthetics. Our template proves that it is possible to have both an accessible and visually appealing website.
Everything on the site, from the text size to how easy it is to get around, works for everyone. Nu, it’s one of our most popular online store templates among all templates for Instant Sites!
One of our most popular Instant Site templates
I øvrigt, the Ecwid ecommerce platform is accessible not just to customers but also to sellers. The Ecwid admin, where you manage your online store, is also designed with accessibility in mind. This makes it easier for business owners with disabilities to run their online stores efficiently.
Here’s what an Ecwid seller who happens to be visually impaired shared about running their Ecwid store:
“I would like to thank you very much for a great store that is convenient to manage for visually impaired sellers! And not only the website but also the app is available to you, hvilket ikke altid er tilfældet!”
Hvordan Ecwid sikrede, at Instant Site-skabelonen er tilgængelig
Tilgængelighed handler ikke kun om overholdelse af standarder - det handler om, at rigtige mennesker ikke møder nogen barrierer, når de interagerer med onlineindhold. Hvordan opnåede Ecwid dette?
- Skabelon med høj kontrast: Visuel klarhed var en prioritet, gør det muligt for brugere med nedsat syn hurtigt at gennemskue teksten og andre elementer.
- Fremtrædende fokus på butiksfacade: The layout was structured to highlight the products and storefront without unnecessary distractions or the need for additional scrolling.
- Enlarged elements: Large images and fonts were employed not merely for aesthetic appeal but to accommodate users with visual impairments.
It’s important to note that all Instant Site templates are accessible. The template in question was designed with accessibility as the primary focus while also making it sleek and beautiful. The latter might be difficult to do when ensuring a site’s accessibility, as it can be easy to overlook design elements in favor of functionality. Imidlertid, with our templates, we were able to achieve both.
How to Make Your Online Store Accessible
Implementing an accessible online store might appear daunting, but actually, it isn’t. It starts with selecting an accessible website template, like any of Ecwid’s Instant Site templates.
Here are some additional tips to make your online store more accessible:
- Provide descriptive alt text for images: For users with visual impairments, alt text describes the image.
- Include keyboard navigation and shortcuts: This allows individuals who cannot use a mouse to navigate your website using the keyboard.
- Choose colors carefully: Avoid using color alone to convey information, as some individuals may have difficulty distinguishing between specific colors.
- Announce accessible mode: Inform your customers that your store supports an accessible mode.
By choosing Ecwid’s pre-designed templates, you start with an accessible baseline. Customizations are welcome, but keep an eye on maintaining accessibility.
When creating a website from scratch, it’s important to consider accessibility for all users. This means starting with an accessible baseline using templates or guidelines such as WCAG, ADA, or equivalent standards.
But beyond these guidelines, it’s also crucial to understand the specific needs of your customer base.
For eksempel, if your products cater to individuals with color blindness, the focus should be on providing strong contrast between button colors and text for easier navigation and purchasing.
The pictures below demonstrate why online stores catering to such shoppers need strong contrast between button colors and text to help them distinguish options and make purchases.
Here’s how the majority of people see colors
Here’s how people with protanopia (a form of color blindness) see colors
Tilsvarende, if your target audience includes individuals with mobility impairments, ensuring easy navigation through voice commands can greatly improve their browsing experience.
Check your site regularly with tools like Google Lighthouse to see how accessible your store is. Continually assessing and improving things is critical to creating a welcoming online space for everyone.
Afslut
Ecwid’s accessible ecommerce platform is more than a win for a product; it’s all about making ecommerce easy for everyone. Ecwid helps online store owners get the most out of their business. Vigtigere, it ensures every customer can have a smooth shopping experience, no matter their abilities.
Husk, accessible design is not just about compliance — it’s about creating an inclusive and welcoming online space for all. Så, don’t hesitate to take the initiative and make your website more accessible! Let’s work towards a digital world that is genuinely open and inclusive for everyone.
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- Ecwid Instant Site med klar temaer og 99+ Design Options
- Ny Ecwid Design Indstillinger: Snesevis af muligheder for tilpasning, ingen Kodning
- Sådan vælger du en e-handelsskabelon til dit websted
- En omfattende guide til Tilpasning Ecwid Store Design
- Design af dit gratis e-handelswebsted fra bunden
- How Ecwid’s Accessible Online Store Template Became a Hit
