WCAG 2.1 AA Compliance for E-commerce Websites
Meet Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 Level AA requirements with comprehensive accessibility testing designed for e-commerce organizations.
Why WCAG 2.1 AA Matters for E-commerce
E-commerce receives 77% of all web accessibility lawsuits - highest of any industry
Shopping is fundamental to daily life and must be accessible to all consumers
Accessible e-commerce reaches the $13 trillion global disability market
Cart abandonment decreases significantly when accessibility barriers are removed
Major e-commerce brands have faced serial litigation over accessibility
WCAG 2.1 AA Requirements for E-commerce
Product image alt text
All product photos must have descriptive alt text including color, size, and key features
Accessible shopping cart
Cart must be keyboard navigable with quantity changes and removal announced to screen readers
Accessible checkout
Entire checkout flow including payment must work with keyboard only and screen readers
Filter and sort accessibility
Product filters must be operable by keyboard with state changes announced
Common WCAG 2.1 AA Issues in E-commerce Websites
Issue
Product images showing only visual swatches for color options
Solution
Add text labels alongside color swatches stating the color name
Issue
Add to cart buttons not keyboard accessible
Solution
Ensure all purchase actions are reachable and operable via keyboard
Issue
Modal dialogs trapping keyboard focus
Solution
Implement proper focus management in quick view and cart modals
Issue
Search autocomplete not announced to screen readers
Solution
Use aria-live regions to announce search suggestions as they appear
How A11yScan Helps E-commerce Meet WCAG 2.1 AA
WCAG 2.1 AA Testing
Automated testing against all WCAG 2.1 AA success criteria relevant to e-commerce.
E-commerce Focus
Industry-specific testing profiles targeting common e-commerce accessibility issues.
Compliance Reports
Generate WCAG 2.1 AA compliance documentation and remediation roadmaps.
Continuous Monitoring
24/7 monitoring to maintain WCAG 2.1 AA compliance as your e-commerce site evolves.
Frequently Asked Questions: E-commerce WCAG 2.1 AA Compliance
Why does e-commerce get so many accessibility lawsuits?
E-commerce sites are clear targets because they're places of public accommodation, have high traffic making them easy to find, and accessibility barriers directly prevent purchases - a clear discrimination case under ADA.
What e-commerce elements are most commonly sued over?
Product images without alt text, inaccessible checkout flows, keyboard-inaccessible shopping carts, color-only variant selectors, and inaccessible promotional pop-ups are the most frequently cited issues in lawsuits.
How much do e-commerce accessibility lawsuits cost?
E-commerce settlements typically range from $10,000 to $100,000+ for individual suits. Class actions can reach millions. Beyond settlements, legal fees, remediation costs, and ongoing monitoring add significant expense.
Other Compliance Standards for E-commerce
E-commerce WCAG 2.2
Ensure your e-commerce website meets WCAG 2.2 accessibility requirements. Industry-specific compliance testing, remediation guidance, and monitoring.
Section 508E-commerce Section 508
Ensure your e-commerce website meets Section 508 accessibility requirements. Industry-specific compliance testing, remediation guidance, and monitoring.
ADA ComplianceE-commerce ADA Compliance
Ensure your e-commerce website meets ADA Compliance accessibility requirements. Industry-specific compliance testing, remediation guidance, and monitoring.
EN 301 549E-commerce EN 301 549
Ensure your e-commerce website meets EN 301 549 accessibility requirements. Industry-specific compliance testing, remediation guidance, and monitoring.
WCAG 2.1 AA Compliance for Other Industries
Healthcare WCAG 2.1 AA
Ensure your healthcare website meets WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility requirements. Industry-specific compliance testing, remediation guidance, and monitoring.
FinanceFinance WCAG 2.1 AA
Ensure your finance website meets WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility requirements. Industry-specific compliance testing, remediation guidance, and monitoring.
EducationEducation WCAG 2.1 AA
Ensure your education website meets WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility requirements. Industry-specific compliance testing, remediation guidance, and monitoring.
GovernmentGovernment WCAG 2.1 AA
Ensure your government website meets WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility requirements. Industry-specific compliance testing, remediation guidance, and monitoring.
LegalLegal WCAG 2.1 AA
Ensure your legal website meets WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility requirements. Industry-specific compliance testing, remediation guidance, and monitoring.
Real EstateReal Estate WCAG 2.1 AA
Ensure your real estate website meets WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility requirements. Industry-specific compliance testing, remediation guidance, and monitoring.
Ready to Achieve WCAG 2.1 AA Compliance for Your E-commerce Website?
Start with a free accessibility scan and see exactly where your e-commerce site stands with WCAG 2.1 AA requirements.