Accessible online shopping

Plain language: Keep wording simple and concise. Avoid jargon, abbreviations and long, complex sentences. Explain essential steps like sign‑up, payment and returns in everyday words. Button labels and form field names are important: use clear labels such as “Add to cart”, “Checkout” or “Submit order”. Help texts and error messages should state exactly what the user must do to fix a problem. Plain language reduces confusion and speeds up the purchase process.

Keyboard control & focus: Not everyone uses a mouse. Make sure all features work with a keyboard. That means logical tab order, visible focus on the active element and usable form controls. Interactive components like menus, dialogs and modals must be properly identified. Avoid hiding functions that only work with a mouse. Robust keyboard control benefits screen reader users and raises overall site accessibility.

Contrast & visual cues: Good contrast between text and background is essential for readability. Ensure sufficient colour difference for text, buttons and links. Do not rely on colour only; add symbols or text labels to convey meaning. Use legible font sizes and enough spacing between elements. Images, icons and a clear layout help visitors scan pages faster. A simple, visible page structure supports users with limited vision or attention.

Clear forms: Forms are often a stumbling block in online shopping. Label fields clearly, provide inline examples and validation, and mark required fields clearly. Error messages should be specific, for example “Postal code missing” rather than a generic “Error”. Support autofill and multiple input formats, for instance for phone numbers. Offer alternative contact methods if the form cannot be completed.