Shopify Accessibility Audit
Ensure your Shopify store is accessible to all users and fully compliant with WCAG & ADA guidelines
Why Accessibility Matters
- Legal Compliance
Many countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and members of the European Union, have stringent laws and regulations (such as the ADA, AODA, EAA, and others) that require businesses to provide accessible digital services. A compliant Shopify store helps you avoid hefty fines, legal actions, and the risk of losing customer trust. - Better User Experience
Accessibility is not just a legal obligation but also a matter of customer satisfaction. Users with disabilities are your customers too. Providing an accessible shopping experience can enhance your brand's reputation and customer loyalty. - Wider Audience
People with vision, hearing, cognitive, and mobility impairments represent a significant portion of online shoppers. By making your Shopify store accessible, you open the door to a wider audience and increase potential revenue. - Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Many accessibility best practices—proper heading structures, descriptive link text, and optimized metadata—naturally align with SEO. A more accessible website is often a more search-engine-friendly website, leading to higher rankings and more organic traffic.
Our Shopify Accessibility Audit Process
At AccessiBud, we have a comprehensive approach to identifying and fixing accessibility issues on your Shopify store:
- Initial Consultation
We begin with a discovery call to understand your specific needs, goals, and the unique elements of your Shopify storefront. This conversation helps us create a tailored roadmap for auditing and remediating your site. - Automated & Manual Testing
- Automated Analysis: We use industry-leading scanning tools to quickly identify glaring accessibility violations. These tools highlight issues such as missing alt text, incorrect heading structure, or problematic color contrasts.
- Manual Review: Our team then conducts a detailed, hands-on audit of your theme, content, images, forms, and site navigation. Since automated tools can miss subtle accessibility issues, manual testing is crucial for thorough results.
- Screen Reader & Keyboard Testing
We simulate real-world user experiences by testing your store with screen readers (such as JAWS or NVDA) and keyboard-only navigation. This helps us identify usability issues that automated checks can’t detect, ensuring that your store is truly accessible to all. - Remediation Plan
After we pinpoint all accessibility barriers, we create a detailed report explaining the issues along with recommendations for fixing them. This includes prioritizing issues based on severity, providing guidance for theme adjustments, and offering best-practice solutions aligned with WCAG 2.1 (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines). - Implementation & Support
Our experts will assist in implementing the recommended changes, either directly on your Shopify theme or by collaborating with your in-house or external development teams. We also offer ongoing support packages to ensure your store remains compliant as you add new content, features, or apps. - Post-Implementation Verification
Once the necessary fixes are in place, we perform a final audit to verify that your site meets accessibility standards. This confirmation helps you maintain compliance and provides peace of mind for both you and your customers.
Benefits of a Fully Accessible Shopify Store
- Enhanced Reputation: Show your commitment to inclusivity, a value that resonates with an ever-growing segment of conscious consumers.
- Increased Conversion Rates: By removing barriers to purchase, you’ll make it easier for everyone to buy from your store, which can lead to higher sales.
- Reduced Legal Risks: Stay compliant with ADA, WCAG, and other regulatory standards, minimizing exposure to legal repercussions.
- Improved SEO: Better site structure and content clarity align with search engine best practices, helping you rank higher on Google.
- Long-Term Cost Savings: Addressing accessibility issues upfront prevents expensive redesigns or legal battles down the line.
Why Choose AccessiBud for Your Shopify Accessibility Audit?
- Specialized Expertise
Our team lives and breathes web accessibility. We stay current on WCAG guidelines, Shopify platform updates, and the latest assistive technologies to ensure your site meets modern standards. - Shopify Focus
We understand Shopify’s unique ecosystem—from theme architecture to third-party apps—and can tailor solutions to fit your store’s specific setup and brand identity. - Customized Solutions
We believe accessibility is not a one-size-fits-all process. Every store is different, and we craft personalized recommendations based on your current theme, target audience, and product lineup. - Comprehensive Approach
From discovery to final verification, we handle everything. Our holistic process ensures nothing slips through the cracks, and you get clear guidance every step of the way. - Ongoing Partnership
Accessibility isn’t just a one-off project; it’s an ongoing commitment. We offer long-term support plans to help you maintain compliance as your store evolves.
