Accessible design is often overlooked but provides a significant opportunity for ecommerce businesses to boost conversion rates and tap into a valuable, underserved market. By making your website truly accessible, you not only cater to users with disabilities but also improve the user experience for all customers, leading to increased sales and brand loyalty. This episode provides actionable strategies to implement accessible design principles across your ecommerce platform.
Key takeaways
Prioritize accessible design beyond just CRO tests, as it addresses a significant and growing demographic with substantial purchasing power ($490 billion disposable income in the US).
Simplify the purchase journey by removing unnecessary fields, pop-ups, and hiding crucial information. Optimize button sizes (60 pixels tall recommended) and use clear product categories for intuitive navigation.
Ensure full compatibility with screen readers and keyboard navigation. Implement proper alt tags for images and use tools like accessiBe to automate compliance.
Apply accessible design principles to all content: ensure videos have subtitles, use high contrast and readable fonts (check with tools like Tanaguru Contrast-Finder), and make sure content doesn't get cut off when enlarged.
Understand that accessible design benefits all users, not just those with disabilities, by creating a smoother and less frustrating shopping experience, ultimately reducing cart abandonment.
Kurt Elster is the Co-founder and CEO of Ethercycle, an agency with a proven track record of creating web-optimization strategies for top brands like Jay Leno's Garage and HOONIGAN. As a senior e-commerce consultant and Shopify expert, Kurt helps merchants boost website sales. Kurt is also the host of The Unofficial Shopify Podcast, which explores tales of e-commerce entrepreneurship with a focus on Shopify. The show has over two million plays and features industry experts like Shopify's President, Harley Finkelstein. In this episode… In today's online shopping landscape, a user-friendly website is an integral factor of an e-commerce business' chances of success. An appealing, well-optimized, and functional website attracts more visitors – and, ultimately, more sales. How can you improve your site's user experience, navigation, and interactivity to boost traffic? eCommerce expert Kurt Elster emphasizes the importance of an intuitive website design. Removing any roadblocks from your prospects' paths through split testing, web optimization, and other advanced marketing tactics can maximize conversion rates. In this episode of the Up Arrow Podcast, William Harris welcomes Kurt Elster, Founder of Ethercycle and host of The Unofficial Shopify Podcast, to explore trends in e-commerce website design. Kurt shares his journey from a WordPress developer to an e-commerce consultant and how he started Ethercycle. He also identifies common design mistakes and provides tips for website optimization.
Frequently asked about this episode
What does this episode say about conversion & cro?
Prioritize accessible design beyond just CRO tests, as it addresses a significant and growing demographic with substantial purchasing power ($490 billion disposable income in the US).
What does this episode say about customer retention?
Simplify the purchase journey by removing unnecessary fields, pop-ups, and hiding crucial information. Optimize button sizes (60 pixels tall recommended) and use clear product categories for intuitive navigation.
What does this episode say about brand & content?
Ensure full compatibility with screen readers and keyboard navigation. Implement proper alt tags for images and use tools like accessiBe to automate compliance.
What does this episode say about conversion & cro?
Apply accessible design principles to all content: ensure videos have subtitles, use high contrast and readable fonts (check with tools like Tanaguru Contrast-Finder), and make sure content doesn't get cut off when enlarged.
What does this episode say about conversion & cro?
Understand that accessible design benefits all users, not just those with disabilities, by creating a smoother and less frustrating shopping experience, ultimately reducing cart abandonment.
