Accessible Minds recently worked with a leading e-commerce website to improve accessibility for visually impaired users. The client’s website received complaints from users who found it difficult to navigate, view products, and make purchases due to a lack of accessibility features.
About the Client:
The e-commerce company is a leading name in the online retail industry of Canada with millions of customers across the country. The online store offers a wide range of products across different categories. The interface of the website is very user-friendly and that’s why it is immensely popular among the shoppers. However; the website had been receiving complaints from visually impaired users who found it difficult to navigate and make purchases due to a lack of accessibility features.
Challenges:
The website faced several challenges in terms of accessibility; particularly for visually impaired users. The website’s design was not optimized for users with low vision and many images lacked alt text, making it difficult for screen reader software to interpret them. It led to a poor user experience for visually impaired users and resulted in lost sales and revenue for the e-commerce website.
Solutions:
Accessible Minds was contacted and brought in to conduct an accessibility audit of the website. The team identified several areas for improvement including the need to design the website with visual impairments in mind. We recommended using high-contrast colors and clear fonts to make the content more legible for users with low vision. We also recommended adding alt text to images which would allow users with visual impairments to understand the content of the images using screen reader software.
Results:
The e-commerce website implemented the recommendations made by Accessible Minds and the results were significant. The number of user complaints decreased and the website saw an increase in traffic and sales from visually impaired users. The changes not only made the website more accessible but also enhanced the user experience for all users, regardless of their abilities.
Accessible Minds’ service for the e-commerce website demonstrates the importance of designing for accessibility especially for users with visual impairments. By prioritizing accessibility; the e-commerce website was able to create a more inclusive online environment that meets the requirements of all users. The website’s success in enhancing accessibility serves as an inspiration for other businesses looking to create a more accessible and inclusive online presence. In this way; businesses can create a more inclusive online environment that benefits all users. With the help of accessibility experts like Accessible Minds, businesses can ensure that their websites meet the needs of all users and comply with accessibility guidelines and regulations.
