The country's top online retail sites are failing to meet minimum accessibility standards according to new research by web site usability specialist Nomensa released today.
The firm measured the sites' homepages and terms and conditions pages against the W3C's Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, using both automated and manual testing techniques, and found only three met the standards on their terms and conditions pages.
Common failings of the sites, which include Amazon, Apple and Argos, were pop-up windows, which can disorientate users with disabilities and those using screen readers, according to Nomensa's head of accessibility Leonie Watson.
Other problems included navigation links on sites which were unable to work without JavaScript, and alt text descriptions for images which were lacking in detail.
"There's a lack of education [among design agencies and retailers] about what to do and how to do it," said Nomensa managing director Simon Norris. "There is a clear need for the industry to truly improve the skills it has – retailers should be finding out where they stand in light of current accessibility guidelines."
Firms need to decide what their accessibility goals are in short and long term, and these may have to involve an entire site redesign, said Norris. Online retailers must also ensure that achieving these goals is high on the corporate agenda, and that they implement processes to ensure that standards are maintained over time.
New Webcredible research points to lack of business drive to improve site design 18 Feb 2010
Better planning will improve chances of success, says analyst firm 27 Aug 2009
Arnie wants your clothes, your boots and your textbooks 10 Jun 2009
My Favourites toolbar offers quick access to customisable content 21 Jul 2009
Lord Hunt releases Marine Action Plan ahead of anticipated announcement of around 700MW of new wave and tidal energy projects 15 Mar 2010
New £7m research project to accelerate the development of pyrolysis-based biofuels made from waste materials 15 Mar 2010
Manufacturer of sensors used in solar panels, low emission vehicles and green offices raises $569m 15 Mar 2010
More news
From hydropower hot spots to record-breaking Texan winds, we run down the top stories from the past week 12 Mar 2010
Few debates cast the UK's business and political community in such an unedifying light as the never-ending row over skills.... 12 Mar 2010
Christian Kjaer, chief executive of the European Wind Energy Association, argues that a supergrid is essential to EU efforts to cut carbon emissions 11 Mar 2010 More in-depth
Post your comment
Send an email to the Business Green editor at feedback@businessgreen.com
