The beauty of the digital marketplace lies in its potential unconstrained by physical boundaries. Shouldn’t accessing it be smooth sailing without any obstacles?
Lightspeedi Ecwidis, 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, eriti, proved to be a hit, thanks to its accessible design. Nüüd, 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, auditory, 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. Näiteks, last hoidvale vanemale oleks kasulik ka kasutajasõbralik liides, mis nõuab minimaalselt hiire või klaviatuuri kasutamist.
Ligipääsetav veebipood tähendab jõudmist laiema publiku ja potentsiaalsete klientideni. Samuti edendab see kaasatust ja loob kõigi veebisaidi külastajate jaoks tervitatavama keskkonna.
Common Guidelines for Ensuring Accessibility
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on tuntud seadus, mis kaitseb puuetega inimesi diskrimineerimise eest. See laieneb ka digitaalsele ruumile, ja paljudel riikidel on veebisaitide ja veebiplatvormide jaoks oma juurdepääsetavuse juhised.
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) on laialdaselt kasutatav raamistik juurdepääsetava veebisisu loomiseks. See sisaldab nelja põhimõtet: tajutav, töökorras, mõistetav, ja robustne. Need põhimõtted hõlmavad mitmesuguseid juurdepääsetavuse vajadusi ja annavad arendajatele konkreetsed juhised, mida järgida.
Võimestamine juurdepääsetavuse kaudu
sisse 2020, Lightspeedi meeskond koostas vabatahtlikult juurdepääsetava, bilingual online shop for Summit School in Montreal, an organization that helps neurodivergent students reach their potential.
Siis, when Lightspeed added Ecwid to their lineup, we teamed up and revamped the Summit School’s website, building a Summit Marketplace koos Ecwidiga. The Summit Marketplace showcases the works of developmentally diverse artisans, kunstnikud, and entrepreneurs from Summit School.
As you might already know, Ecwid provides all users an Instant Site, a free ecommerce website with a built-in online store. Kiirsaitide jaoks on erinevaid malle, mis on kohandatud erinevatele niššidele.
Summit Schooli jaoks juurdepääsetava veebisaidi loomine inspireeris meid looma uut Instant Site'i malli.
Nagu eelnevalt mainitud, Ecwid oli juba ADA-ühilduv ja kontrollis WCAG-i jaoks kõik kastid. Niisiis, mida me seekord täpselt ette võtta otsustasime?
Siin on jutt juurdepääsetavate veebisaitide kohta: hõlbustusfunktsioonide kaasamine toob mõnikord kaasa veebisaidi esteetika ohverdamise. Näiteks, tasakaalustav värv, kontrast, and font size can be challenging.
Samuti, 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.
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.
Samal ajal, 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. Nüüd, it’s one of our most popular online store templates among all templates for Instant Sites!
Muideks, 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, which is not always the case!”
How Ecwid Ensured the Instant Site Template Is Accessible
Accessibility is not just about adherence to standards — it’s about real people encountering no barriers when engaging with online content. How did Ecwid achieve this?
- High contrast template: Visual clarity was a priority, enabling users with impaired vision to quickly discern the text and other elements.
- Prominent storefront focus: 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. Kuid, 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.
Näiteks, kui teie tooted sobivad värvipimedusega inimestele, navigeerimise ja ostmise hõlbustamiseks tuleks keskenduda tugeva kontrasti loomisele nuppude värvide ja teksti vahel.
Allolevad pildid näitavad, miks selliseid ostjaid teenindavad veebipoed vajavad tugevat kontrasti nuppude värvide ja teksti vahel, et aidata neil valikuid eristada ja oste sooritada.
Samamoodi, 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.
Tõmba otsad kokku
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. More importantly, it ensures every customer can have a smooth shopping experience, no matter their abilities.
Pea meeles, accessible design is not just about compliance — it’s about creating an inclusive and welcoming online space for all. Niisiis, 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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