As ecommerce continues to dominate retail, accessibility is a legal and ethical necessity for businesses. If merchants use Shopify as their e-commerce platform, they ought to ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This is crucial to avoid legal risks and to create a seamless experience for customers with disabilities.
Although the ADA does not explicitly mention websites, U.S. courts consistently interpret it to apply to digital storefronts. Most compliance practices align with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA, which is a globally accepted technical benchmark for accessibility.
Shopify WCAG accessibility checklist: Essential to improve!
1. Shopify Theme-level accessibility: Start with the foundation
The Shopify theme determines the structural accessibility of the store.
- Choose an accessibility-ready theme
- Avoid over-customizable pitfalls
a. Select themes that follow semantic HTML structure.
b. Ensure keyboard navigability (Tab, Shift+Tab, Enter, Esc).
c. Verify visible focus indicators.
d. Test headings hierarchy (H1-H6 properly structured).
e. Avoid themes that rely heavily on visual-only cues.
Custom scripts, page builders, and third-party widgets often introduce accessibility barriers:
a. Improper ARIA accessibility roles
b. Keyboard traps
c. Non-labelled buttons
d. Inaccessible modals and pop-ups
Always re-test accessibility after installing new apps.
2. Images and media accessibility
- Add meaningful alt text
- Accessible product galleries
- Video and multimedia
a. All product images must include descriptive alt attributes.
b. Avoid generic text like “image 1” or keyword stuffing.
c. Decorative images should have empty alt attributes (alt=””).
a. Ensure sliders are keyword accessible.
b. Provide pause controls for auto-rotating carousels.
c. Avoid swipe-only navigation on mobile.
a. Add captions for promotional videos.
b. Provide transcripts for longer videos.
c. Ensure media players are keyboard operable.
3. Keyboard navigation checklist
Many users rely solely on keyboards or assistive technologies. Test the entire store without using a mouse:
- Homepage navigation
- Search bar
- Collection filters
- Product variant selection
- Add to cart
- Checkout process
- Pop-ups and modals
- Footer links
There should be:
- No keyboard traps
- Logical focus order
- Visible focus outlines
- “Skip to content” link at the top.
4. Color and visual design compliance
- Color contrast
- Don’t rely on color alone
a. Text contrast ratio should be at least 4.5:1 (normal text).
b. Large text requires 3:1.
c. Buttons and form controls must meet contrast standards.
If showing:
a. Discounted prices
b. Error messages
c. Product availability
Always include text labels or icons, not just color cues.
5. Forms and checkout accessibility
Checkout is where most accessibility lawsuits focus.
- Form labels
- Error identification
- Accessible payment options
a. All input fields must have properly associated labels.
b. Placeholder text alone is not sufficient.
a. Clearly describe the error in text.
b. Provide suggestions for correction.
c. Ensure screen readers announce error messages.
a. Shopify’s native checkout is generally optimized, but confirm:
b. Payment buttons are keyboard accessible.
c. Third-party payment gateways meet accessibility standards.
6. Navigation and search accessibility
- Clear menu structure
- Accessible filters and sorting
a. Logical hierarchy
b. Descriptive link text (avoid generic phrases like “Click here”)
c. ARIA-expanded attributes for dropdown menus
Collection page filters must:
a. Be keyboard operable
b. Announce changes to screen readers.
c. Avoid automatic page refresh without notice.
7. Dynamic content & pop-ups
- Pop-ups and modals
- Live regions
a. Must trap focus properly.
b. Close button should be keyboard accessible.
c. Focus should return to the triggering element after closing.
Cart updates should:
a. Announce additions via ARIA live regions.
b. Do not rely solely on visual mini-cart animations.
8. Mobile accessibility
Since Shopify is mobile-first:
- Ensure tap targets are at least 44x44 px.
- Avoid gesture-only functionality.
- Test with screen readers like VoiceOver and TalkBack.
- Confirm Zoom functionality up to 200% without breaking the layout.
9. ARIA and semantic HTML usage
Use ARIA only when necessary:
- Avoid overusing role attributes.
- Use native HTML elements first.
- Ensure ARIA attributes are valid and updated dynamically.
Incorrect ARIA can worsen accessibility rather than improve it.
10. App and plugin accessibility review
Shopify stores often rely on:
- Review apps
- Wishlist apps
- Subscription tools
- Live chat
- Currency converts
Before installing:
- Ask vendors for accessibility documentation.
- Test demo versions.
- Include accessibility clauses in vendor contracts.
Accessibility failures from third-party apps still create liability for the store owner.
11. Accessibility testing process
- Automated testing
- Manual testing
- User testing
Use auto accessibility testing tools to detect:
a. Missing alt text
b. Contrast failures
c. ARIA errors
d. Broken heading structures
a. Keyboard-only navigation
c. Zoom testing (200%)
d. Cognitive accessibility checks (plain language)
If possible, include people with disabilities in usability testing.
12. Accessibility statement
A WCAG compliant Shopify store should include:
- A clear accessibility statement page.
- Conformance target (e.g., WCAG 2.1 AA).
- Contact method for reporting issues.
- Response timeline commitment.
This demonstrates good-faith effort in case of legal scrutiny.
13. Ongoing monitoring and maintenance
Accessibility is not a one-time task.
- Re-test after theme updates.
- Audit new product uploads.
- Monitor third-party app updates.
- Conduct annual accessibility reviews.
- Train content teams on accessible product descriptions.
Common Shopify WCAG risk areas
- Inaccessible product filters
- Broken focus in cart drawers
- Low contrast brand themes
- Missing alt text in bulk product uploads
- Inaccessible third-party chat widgets
Proactive remediation is significantly cheaper than litigation. Beyond legal protection, ADA compliance also is a business advantage.
Also read: Accessibility Remediation vs Redesign
In a nutshell,
For Shopify merchants, WCAG compliance is both a responsibility and a competitive opportunity. By aligning a store with ADA compliance (or WCAG standards) and embedding accessibility into development and content workflows, merchants can create a digital storefront that welcomes everyone.
A structured accessibility checklist combined with continuous testing & accessibility enhancements ensures that the Shopify store remains compliant, usable, and future-ready.
As you work through the Shopify Accessibility Checklist and begin identifying areas that need improvement, having the right tools can make the process significantly quicker, easier and more efficient. This is where the Shopify Accessibility App – All in One Accessibility® becomes a powerful accessibility widget, requires just two minutes installation. It streamlines WCAG compliance journey by offering built-in accessibility enhancements such as screen reader support, talk & type, voice navigation, keyboard navigation improvements, color contrast adjustments, and animation controls. It supports 190+ languages.
We also help Shopify merchants to move beyond basic compliance and build truly inclusive digital storefronts. Our accessibility experts conduct in-depth manual accessibility audits, accessibility remediation, and ongoing monitoring aligned with ADA, WCAG, Section 508, EAA standards. Whether you’re launching a new store or fixing an existing one, we ensure Shopify site is accessible, technically robust, and conversion ready. Let's make your ecommerce experience accessible to everyone. Reach out to us via hello@skynettechnologies.com for more information.
