The beauty of the digital marketplace lies in its potential unconstrained by physical boundaries. Shouldn’t accessing it be smooth sailing without any obstacles?
在 Lightspeed 的 Ecwid, 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, 尤其, proved to be a hit, thanks to its accessible design. 现在, 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. 例如, 抱着婴儿的父母也将受益于用户友好的界面，只需最少地使用鼠标或键盘.
无障碍的在线商店意味着可以覆盖更广泛的受众和潜在客户. 它还促进包容性并为所有网站访问者创造一个更受欢迎的环境.
Common Guidelines for Ensuring Accessibility
这 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) 是保护残疾人免受歧视的众所周知的法律. 这也延伸到了数字空间, 许多国家都有自己的一套网站和在线平台的无障碍指南.
这 Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (世界煤气协会) 是一个广泛使用的框架，用于创建可访问的 Web 内容. 它包括四个原则: 可感知的, 可操作的, 可以理解的, 和坚固的. 这些原则涵盖了一系列可访问性需求，并为开发人员提供了遵循的具体指南.
通过无障碍赋权
在 2020, Lightspeed 团队自愿创建一个易于访问的, bilingual online shop for Summit School in Montreal, an organization that helps neurodivergent students reach their potential.
然后, when Lightspeed added Ecwid to their lineup, we teamed up and revamped the Summit School’s website, building a Summit Marketplace 与 Ecwid. The Summit Marketplace showcases the works of developmentally diverse artisans, 艺术家, and entrepreneurs from Summit School.
The Summit Marketplace was built with Ecwid
你可能已经知道, Ecwid provides all users an Instant Site, 一种 free ecommerce website with a built-in online store. 有多种针对不同利基市场定制的即时网站模板.
为 Summit School 创建一个易于访问的网站激发了我们制作新的即时网站模板的灵感.
正如刚才提到的, Ecwid 已符合 ADA 标准，并勾选了 WCAG 的所有复选框. 所以, 这次我们决定解决什么问题?
这是关于可访问网站的事情: 纳入辅助功能有时会牺牲网站的美观. 例如, 平衡色彩, 对比, 和字体大小可能具有挑战性.
还, 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.
同时, 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. 现在, it’s one of our most popular online store templates among all templates for Instant Sites!
One of our most popular Instant Site templates
顺便一提, 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, 但情况并非总是如此!”
Ecwid 如何确保即时站点模板可访问
可访问性不仅仅是遵守标准，而是指真实的人们在参与在线内容时不会遇到任何障碍. Ecwid 是如何实现这一目标的?
- 高对比度模板: 视觉清晰度是首要考虑因素, 使视力受损的用户能够快速辨别文本和其他元素.
- 突出的店面焦点: 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. 然而, 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:
- 为图像提供描述性替代文本: 对于有视力障碍的用户, 替代文本描述了图像.
- 包括键盘导航和快捷键: 这允许无法使用鼠标的人使用键盘导航您的网站.
- 仔细选择颜色: 避免单独使用颜色来传达信息, 因为有些人可能难以区分特定颜色.
- 宣布无障碍模式: 告知您的客户您的商店支持无障碍模式.
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.
例如, 如果您的产品适合色盲人士, 重点应该是在按钮颜色和文本之间提供强烈的对比，以便于导航和购买.
下图展示了为什么迎合此类购物者的在线商店需要按钮颜色和文本之间的强烈对比，以帮助他们区分选项并进行购买.
这是大多数人看待颜色的方式
患有红色盲的人是这样的 (色盲的一种形式) 看颜色
相似地, 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.
包起来
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.
记住, accessible design is not just about compliance — it’s about creating an inclusive and welcoming online space for all. 所以, 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.
