Executive summary
Nomensa investigated the accessibility of websites belonging to the top 30 most popular online retailers, based on visits from UK shoppers. Two pages from each website were selected. The homepage, to represent a fast moving area of the site, where content changes regularly, and a Terms and Conditions page, representing a more sedentary area of each site.
Each set of pages was measured against the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 1.0, using a combination of manual and automated evaluation techniques. The most notable results are:
- 0 homepages achieve WCAG Single-A;
- 3 Terms and Condition pages achieved Single-A accessibility.
Other notable results include:
- 23 websites had search forms, navigational links or advertising banners that failed to work without Javascript;
- 29 websites used graphical text that would be difficult for people wearing glasses to read;
- 25 websites used pop-up windows, despite growing opposition to their general use, causing significant problems for people with a variety of disabilities;
- 29 websites did not use shortcut links to help people with serious physical impairments navigate through a page.
This report will explain the methodology used to test the websites and also provide detailed research findings which highlight the current accessibility issues surrounding the top 30 most popular online retailers.
Nomensa welcomes the opportunity to answer any questions about the research and the report, and explain any issue in more detail.
Obtaining a copy
To receive a copy of the Online Retailers Research Report, or to discuss this further please contact us by emailing info@nomensa.com or calling us on 0117 929 7333.
