How Can You Build an E-Commerce Website for Visually Impaired Users?

Online businesses that want to grow responsibly and sustainably can no longer choose whether or not their e-commerce websites are accessible. For people who are blind or have low vision, how well a website works with screen readers, keyboard navigation, and clear content structure can make or break their online shopping experience. Companies that don’t pay attention to accessibility miss out on a huge market of potential customers and worsen the overall user experience.

Contemporary e-commerce websites should be designed inclusively from the start. In addition to compliance, access ensures better usability, enhancement of SEO, and creation of trust. At eGrove Systems, we help online businesses embed accessibility into e-commerce design so visually impaired users can browse, select, and purchase products with confidence.

Why E-Commerce Website Accessibility Matters Today

E-commerce web accessibility directly impacts how visually impaired users experience online shopping. The barriers to accessibility are not only frustrating to the users, but they also have the ability to stop the conversion.

Key reasons accessibility matters:

• Visually impaired users rely on screen readers and assistive tools
• Poor accessibility leads to abandoned carts and lost revenue
• Search engines reward accessible e-commerce websites with better visibility

Accessible e-commerce websites benefit everyone, not just users with disabilities. Clear navigation, readable content, and structured layouts improve overall e-commerce user experience. Accessibility is seen as a growth strategy and not a checklist at eGrove Systems, as it enables brands to gain trust and increase reach.

Best Design Practices for Visually Impaired Users

Designing accessible e-commerce websites requires intentional UX decisions that support assistive technologies.

Screen Reader-Friendly Structure

• Use proper heading hierarchy (H1–H3)
• Ensure buttons, links, and icons have descriptive labels
• Avoid layout elements that confuse reading order

Keyboard-First Navigation

• All actions must be accessible without a mouse
• Logical tab order across menus, filters, and checkout
• Visible focus indicators for navigation clarity

Visual & Content Clarity

• High contrast between text and background
• Scalable fonts without breaking layout
• Descriptive alt text for all product images

These best practices make sure that e-commerce websites are easy to use on all devices and with assistive tools. At eGrove Systems, accessibility design is incorporated in all UX decisions with the aim of developing inclusive shopping experiences.

Accessible Checkout & Product Discovery

Accessibility failures often occur during product discovery and checkout, the most critical conversion points.

Product Pages That Inform Everyone

• Descriptive product content instead of image-only details
• Clear pricing, availability, and variant descriptions
• Structured product data for assistive technologies

Checkout Without Barriers

• Accessible form labels and error messages
• No time-restricted actions without alternatives
• Clear confirmation and feedback messages

A checkout that is easy to use makes the online shopping experience better for everyone, including older customers and people who shop on their phones. At eGrove Systems, our experts focus on building checkout flows that reduce the friction while ensuring the accessibility standards are met.

Building Accessibility Into Your E-Commerce Strategy

Accessibility should be ongoing, not a one-time fix.

Sustainable Accessibility Approach

• Regular accessibility audits
• Manual testing with assistive technologies
• Training teams on inclusive design

Technology & Partner Support

• Choose platforms that support accessibility natively
• Work with teams that understand why e-commerce accessibility matters for online stores

We develop scalable, friendly e-commerce solutions that enable businesses to expand with the changing user needs without affecting the performance or brand name at eGrove Systems.

Accessibility Builds Trust

Making an e-commerce site that is easy to use for people who are blind is about including everyone, making it easy to use, and helping the business grow over time. With design, content, and checkout accessibility, a business gains an opportunity to achieve greater engagement, improved SEO, and expanded reach.

Instead of making accessibility retroactive, progressive brands make it active. Using the right strategy and expertise, accessibility will be a competitive advantage. At eGrove Systems, we collaborate with companies to create highly performing and accessible e-commerce platforms that accommodate all customers with confidence and responsibility.

Author Bio:

Mahalakshmi is a content writer at eGrove Systems, helping businesses improve website performance, visibility, and growth through practical, user-focused digital strategies.