In ecommerce, your mobile app must be accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities. Mobile app accessibility refers to designing apps that are usable for people with a wide range of abilities. This includes those who have visual, auditory, motor, or cognitive disabilities. Making your app accessible means more people can use it, increasing your potential user base and improving overall user satisfaction.
Why mobile app accessibility matters
Mobile app accessibility breaks down barriers to digital interaction and ecommerce. With millions using mobile devices for online shopping, ensuring everyone can use these ecommerce apps is a matter of inclusivity and equity. This is also especially important for webshops, where accessibility can directly affect the ability to browse, select, and purchase products.
Mobile app accessibility and user experience
A great user experience (UX) is one that works for everyone. Mobile app accessibility plays a big role in creating and making these experiences great, which is very important in online shopping. An accessible app is friendly and welcoming to everyone. This approach to design helps you catch issues that could stumble your users even before they become problems (issues, not users).
Accessibility is an ongoing process that involves regular updates and feedback from users with disabilities. The best way to check this is actually to do the blind user testing. Engaging with your audience can help you understand their challenges and how you can address them. It improves your app’s accessibility, overall design, and user experience.
We’d strongly suggest integrating accessibility from the start. This makes your app more usable for everyone and positions your brand as caring and responsible, and in the competitive ecommerce space, that’s a powerful advantage.
The role of accessibility in webshop experience
For webshops, ensuring that product descriptions, navigation menus, and checkout processes are accessible can significantly improve the shopping experience for users with disabilities. It also leads to increased customer loyalty and a wider customer base.
Recognizing the importance of accessibility in ecommerce, Byteout offers accessibility checkups and remediation services. These checkups identify areas where your webshop may not meet accessibility standards, while remediation services help to correct these issues. By doing so, your digital presence is welcoming and accessible to all users, regardless of their physical or cognitive abilities.
Mobile app accessibility – practical steps
Making your mobile app accessible is important for reaching a broader audience, including users with disabilities. Start with the basics: ensure your app’s design considers various needs. Focus on designs everyone can easily see and use, like high-contrast colors and large, easy-to-tap buttons. Also, incorporate voice commands and ensure all images have descriptive alt text. Use large, readable fonts and ensure there’s enough contrast between text and background. These are simple changes that can make a big difference.
Next, test your app for accessibility and seek feedback from users with disabilities. This can help you identify and fix issues you might not have noticed. Regular testing with users who have disabilities is vital for gaining insight into real-world usability. Guidelines like the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) can also guide your efforts.
The business case for mobile app accessibility
There’s a strong business case for making your mobile app accessible.
- Accessibility can be a competitive advantage. In an industry where companies are constantly looking for ways to stand out, being known for an accessible app can put you ahead. It shows that you’re committed to serving all customers, which can boost brand loyalty and customer satisfaction.
- Making your app accessible now can save you from future legal issues. Inclusivity is essential for business success, so investing in mobile app accessibility is investing in your company’s future. Regulations around digital accessibility tighten each day.
Summary
It’s okay to start small and gradually make improvements. Every step you take towards making your app more accessible is a step towards inclusivity. Making a mobile app accessible is about recognizing the value of inclusivity. This way, ecommerce businesses can improve user experience, expand their customer base, and demonstrate a commitment to equality. Let’s make inclusivity the top priority in the digital world. Byteout’s service in accessibility checkups and remediation can help you achieve these goals, ensuring your ecommerce business is accessible to everyone.
