Is Your Shopify Store Accessible? A Simple Checklist for Small Businesses

Many small business owners assume their Shopify store is accessible by default. But that is not true. Shopify follows best practices for design, the themes are all modern and mobile friendly.

Accessibility is different from design and follows a different set of requirements.

Even well-designed Shopify stores often fail basic accessibility checks without the owner realizing it. Below is a simple checklist showing the most common problems and where your store could be at risk.

Images without meaningful Alt Text

Every image on your site that communicates information should include alternative text that describes what a user is supposed to understand from it. The question is if someone is using a screen reader will they understand the page. This includes:

• Product images
• Promotional banners
• Icons that act as links (social media, cart icons, menus)

Alt text allows screen readers to describe images to users who cannot see them. Missing or vague alt text is one of the most common accessibility issues on Shopify stores.

Buttons and Links Are Not Properly Labeled

Buttons and links should clearly describe what happens when they are selected. Examples of problematic labels:

• “Click here”
• Icon-only buttons without text
• Multiple buttons with structure but no unique description

Screen readers announce button and link labels out loud, which means vague labels often leave users guessing. If the label is unclear, users may not know how to navigate or complete actions on your site.

The Site Can Not be Navigated With a Keyboard

An accessible website must be usable without a mouse. This means a user can use the Tab key to move through the site, use Enter to select buttons and links, or open menus and drop downs.

If any button cannot be reached or selected, it may be inaccessible to users who rely on keyboard navigation or assistive technology.

Text and Buttons Without Enough Color Contrast

This is a tough one. Text must be readable against its background. Low contrast between text and background colors can make content difficult or impossible to read for users with visual impairments. This applies to:

• Body text
• Buttons and calls to action
• Navigation menus
• Error messages

Forms Are Accessible and Easy to Use

Forms are often the most critical part of an online store. Accessible forms should include:

• Clear labels for each field
• Helpful error messages
• Logical tab order
• Instructions that are not color-only

If users cannot complete a form, they cannot check out, sign up, or contact you.

What This Checklist Means for Your Store

If your store is missing even one of these elements, it may not meet current accessibility standards.

Many Shopify store owners are surprised to learn that accessibility issues are usually not visible unless you know how to look for them. Automated scans can quickly identify these problems and provide clarity on what needs attention. Inclushield will provide guidance on how to fix these issues within the Shopify Platform.

Inclushield Can Support Your Store

Accessibility does not require rebuilding your store from scratch. It starts with understanding where issues exist and what matters most.

If you want a clearer picture of how your Shopify store performs against accessibility standards, you can start with a simple introductory scan of your site.