ADA lawsuit on Shopify: what to fix first
Shopify runs your store's hosting and checkout, but your theme, apps, images and content are yours. That's where most accessibility issues live. Here's where to start.
This is a technical accessibility assessment, not legal advice, and automated testing cannot establish ADA compliance.
“My theme said it was accessible”
A theme can be built with accessibility in mind and still end up with issues: images you upload without alt text, colors you change in the theme editor, apps that add their own pop-ups and widgets, and code edits. If your store is on an older version of its theme, check for an update first (Online Store → Themes → ⋯ → check for updates).
The six most common issues, and where to fix them
The WebAIM Million, an annual automated scan of the top one million home pages, has found the same six types of issue at the top of its list year after year. They're a good place to start on a Shopify store.
1. Product images without alternative text
Shopify admin → Products → open the product → Media → click the image → Add alt text → describe what the image shows (for example, “Lavender soy candle in amber glass jar, lid off”). For banner and section images: Online Store → Themes → Customize → select the section → Image → Alt text. Replace file names like “IMG_4821.jpg” too.
2. Text that's hard to read
Online Store → Themes → Customize → Theme settings → Colors → darken the text colors (or lighten the background) in each color scheme. Aim for a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for normal text; the WebAIM Contrast Checker will tell you.
3. Form fields without labels
Newsletter, search and quantity fields in themes often rely on placeholder text, which isn't a label. Check for a theme update first. Otherwise: Online Store → Themes → ⋯ → Edit code, find the section with the field, and add a label or aria-label, or send the details to your theme developer.
4. Links with no readable name
Icon-only links like the cart, account and social icons can be read as just “link”. Give linked images alt text that says where they go. For theme icons, update the theme or add aria-label="Cart" to the link.
5. Buttons with no readable name
Menu, search, close and gallery-arrow buttons are often icons only. Update the theme, or add aria-label="Next image" (for example) to the button in the theme code.
6. Page language not declared
Settings → Languages → confirm your default language. If the theme still leaves it out: Edit code → layout/theme.liquid → make the opening tag <html lang="{{ request.locale.iso_code }}">.
Then test with a keyboard
Automated checks can't tell you whether your store works without a mouse. Click the address bar, press Tab repeatedly, and try to open the menu, choose a product option, add to cart and reach checkout. You should always see where you are, and never get stuck. Check apps that add pop-ups, like newsletter or cookie banners, especially.
Shopify-hosted checkout pages are run by Shopify, so we don't scan or give fix steps for them.
Want the specifics for your site? Our $149 Technical Assessment + Fix Plan maps your letter's claims to the actual issues on your pages, with step-by-step fixes and a dated before/after report after you fix them.