Creating an inclusive online shopping experience on Shopify is essential, not only to serve customers but also to meet legal standards such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). As a Shopify store owner, ensuring your website is usable by all customers, including those with disabilities, isn’t merely about inclusion; it can help drive sales. Here are five essential, actionable tips to help you improve your Shopify site’s accessibility and stay compliant.

Use alt text for all images

Alt text allows users of screen readers to understand visual content. Without it, key product information may be lost. Make sure every product image, logo, icon, and even decorative graphics include concise, descriptive alternative text.

Choose an accessible theme

Not all Shopify themes are created equal. Some lack the structure and markup needed for users with assistive technologies. Select a theme that follows Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.1) standards and supports keyboard navigation, semantic HTML, and color contrast. 

Optimize for keyboard navigation

Many users navigate using only a keyboard, not a mouse. Ensure that your website’s menus, forms, and buttons can be accessed and operated via keyboard alone.

Provide clear labels and error messages

Forms are critical to e-commerce for orders, subscriptions, and contact. If users can’t understand or complete them, conversions suffer. Add proper labels to all input fields, ensure error messages are clear, and use Accessible Rich Internet Applications (ARIA) roles where needed to improve how screen readers interpret content and structure (MDN Web Docs, 2025).

Use an accessibility app

Manual fixes can be time-consuming and technically demanding. That’s where an accessibility app comes in. Accessibility apps help Shopify merchants meet ADA, WCAG 2.1, and other compliance standards (including the European Accessibility Act (EAA) and the UK Equality Act 2010) automatically, with no development time required. These apps offer real-time autofix capabilities that go beyond overlays, providing AA- and AAA-level support to keep websites updated and in compliance with the law.