Building an Accessible E-Commerce Store: A Guide to ADA and WCAG Compliance

The ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) and WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) play key roles in making this happen. Think of the ADA as the big-picture law ensuring everyone has equal access to spaces, including digital ones. WCAG, on the other hand, is the detailed playbook that web developers follow to create accessible websites. Together, they make sure your site works for everyone — whether they’re shopping with a mouse, navigating with a keyboard, or using a screen reader.

Who needs to follow these standards? Technically, any business that provides goods or services online including retailers, restaurants, banks, and more. In the USA, for example, if your website serves as an extension of your physical store or operates as a standalone e-commerce shop, ADA compliance for eCommers isn’t just a suggestion — it’s your responsibility. And ignoring these standards is a bit like putting up a “No Entry” sign for customers with disabilities.

And it’s not just a U.S. thing! Other countries have their own accessibility laws, like the UK’s Equality Act or Canada’s Accessible Canada Act. Many of these align closely with WCAG, making it a global standard of sorts. So, whether your audience is local or international, accessibility is a universal must-have.

Let’s sum it up, neglecting accessibility can land you in hot water — yes, we’re talking lawsuits. But beyond legal risks, failing to prioritize accessibility means missing out on loyal customers who value brands that put inclusivity front and center.

Picture your website as an epic digital journey — complete with challenges, discoveries, and treasures (your products or services). But what happens if your journey leaves some users stranded, confused, or unable to even begin? That’s where accessibility guidelines like ADA and WCAG step in, ensuring everyone can join.

Let’s learn what are the key WCAG standards for websites:

1. Keyboard-Only Navigation
Some users don’t click, they tab their way through the website. That’s why your navigation, buttons, and forms should be fully operable with a keyboard alone.

2. Screen Reader Support
Think of screen readers as narrators for visually impaired users. They need detailed ARIA labels, roles, and hidden text to describe every element clearly. Without this, it’s like reading a book with half the words missing — frustrating and pointless.

3. Visual Adjustments
Not everyone sees the world the same way, and website design should respect that. High contrast mode and responsive design elements are key aspects of inclusive design for eCommerce, ensuring text is readable and buttons are clickable, whether your user is on a desktop, tablet, or phone.

4. Mobile Responsiveness
Speaking of devices, your e-store needs to work everywhere. Whether it’s a widescreen monitor, a tablet in portrait mode, or a phone with a cracked screen (we’ve all been there), your website should feel like a perfectly tailored outfit: comfortable, stylish, and functional no matter the setting.

5. Clear Error Feedback
Imagine filling out a form or performing a search, hitting submit, and…nothing happens. No helpful hint, no “Did you mean?” Just a void of silence. Clear error messages guide users back on track, turning potential frustration into a seamless experience.

Learn more: 404 Errors: What They Are and How to Fix Them on Ecommerce Website

At Searchanise, we believe that a great search experience should be for everyone. That’s why we are working to improve the accessibility of our search widgets, making sure they align with key ADA and WCAG standards for online stores. Here’s what we’ve already nailed — and the exciting improvements we’ve recently implemented.

Responsiveness
Our widgets are like digital acrobats — whether on a tablet, mobile device, or desktop, they adapt effortlessly to any screen size or orientation. This isn’t new for us, it’s been our standard for years.

Focus Management
Nobody likes wandering aimlessly, and your users won’t have to. Our widgets make it crystal clear where the action is with intuitive focus visibility on interactive elements. No hunting around, no frustration — just seamless, ADA-friendly navigation.

Error Notifications
When things go wrong (like a typo in the search bar), our widgets provide clear, user-friendly error messages to guide users back on track. No dead ends here!

Avoiding Automatic Actions
Ever been startled by a rogue autoplay video? Us too — and we’re not about that life. With no video or audio elements in our Instant Search Widget (ISW) or Search Result Widget (SRW), we’ve kept things delightfully quiet.

Keyboard-Friendly Navigation
For product search and filtering, our widgets now support effortless keyboard navigation:

• Search Result Widget: Navigate with the Tab button. If the focused element’s outline doesn’t appear, it’s likely a theme issue — one we’re happy to help resolve, just contact our customer support.
• Instant Search Widget: Users can use Arrow keys to move between search results without losing focus on the input field.

Customizable Color Contrast Settings
Your users shouldn’t have to squint to shop. Our templates now offer customizable color contrast settings, ensuring text and visuals are clear and readable for everyone.

Accessibility Can Be Implemented in Different Ways
Accessibility isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. We’re exploring multiple approaches to ensure our tools are inclusive for all users.

Our Ongoing Journey
Accessibility is a path, not a destination. We’re still in the process of improving and have only completed the first iteration so far. Rest assured, there’s more to come as we continue making our widgets even better.

Custom Requirements
If you have specific needs beyond standard requirements, feel free to reach out to our customer support team. They’ll be happy to assist you!

Accessibility in e-commerce isn’t just the right thing to do — it’s the smart thing to do. It’s about creating a shopping experience where everyone, regardless of their abilities, feels welcome, empowered, and included. Think of it as opening the digital doors wide and rolling out a red carpet for every customer.

Start your accessibility journey with Searchanise! Sign up for a free trial today and create a welcoming experience for all your customers with WCAG-compliant search.