Launching a Shopify store without checking accessibility is like opening a physical store with stairs but no ramp so you're excluding 15% of potential customers and exposing yourself to legal risk. Fix these 15 critical issues before going live.
Launching a Shopify store without checking accessibility is like opening a physical store with stairs but no ramp so you're excluding 15% of potential customers and exposing yourself to legal risk. Over 4,500 ADA lawsuits were filed against e-commerce websites in 2024, with Shopify stores being frequent targets due to common accessibility failures in themes and apps.
This checklist covers the 15 most critical accessibility issues to fix before launching your Shopify store. Each item includes a quick test to identify the problem, why it matters, and how to fix it.
*Alt Text on All Product Images * 🔴 Critical
What it is:
Descriptive text that explains what images show, read aloud by screen readers for blind users.
Quick test:
- Right-click any product image → Inspect
- Look for alt="descriptive text here"
- If you see alt="" or no alt attribute, it's missing
Why it matters:
- Blind customers can't make purchase decisions without knowing what products look like
- WCAG 2.1 Success Criterion 1.1.1 (Level A) - most basic requirement
- Missing alt text is cited in virtually every accessibility lawsuit
How to fix:
- Add descriptive alt text to every product image in Shopify admin
- Be specific: "Navy blue organic cotton t-shirt, front view" not just "t-shirt"
- Read our complete guide to Shopify alt text →
*Proper Heading Structure (H1 → H2 → H3) * 🟡 High
What it is:
Headings organized in hierarchical order (one H1, then H2s, then H3s under H2s).
Quick test:
- Install WAVE browser extension
- Visit any product page
- Click WAVE icon → Structure panel shows heading order
- Headings should follow logical order without skipping levels
Why it matters:
- Screen reader users navigate pages by jumping between headings
- Skipping heading levels (H1 → H3) creates confusion about page structure
- WCAG 2.1 SC 1.3.1 (Level A)
Common Shopify heading mistakes:
- Homepage has multiple H1s (should only have one)
- Product pages have no H1 (product title should be H1)
- Sections jump from H2 to H4 (skipping H3)
How to fix:
- Edit theme code (Liquid templates)
- Ensure one H1 per page (usually page title)
- Use H2 for main sections, H3 for subsections
- Never skip heading levels
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