Sainsbury's Groceries - Website of the Month, February 2012

February 2012 is Service Matters Month. The campaign will showcase some of the providers who are offering blind and partially sighted people great customer service in the areas of travel, shopping and control of money. We'll also be giving our customers the information that they need to challenge any poor service that they experience.

Sainsbury's is one of the supermarkets which provide an order online and home delivery shopping service. They have a postcode checker which enables you to check that they deliver to your address before ordering. So why not save yourself some time by doing your weekly shop online?

Why is Sainsbury's Groceries a featured website?

It's important to note that when we feature a website on the blog it's not always because they have passed an accessibility audit. Sometimes it can be because a blind or partially sighted user has commented that they like a site and find it easy to use. We feel that it's important to share this information and that's why Sainsbury's Groceries is our "Website of the Month" for February.

There are lots of good things to say about the Sainsbury's site. Everything on screen can be read with a screen reader including the special offers. The site also tells you when you've added an item to your basket and each product title is a heading which makes it easy for screen reader users to move down and find the items listed on the page. The "My Usuals" feature is helpful as it keeps all of your regularly purchased items together in one place for easy shopping.

That being said, the Sainsbury's Groceries site isn't perfect. There are places where it could be improved certainly, but after the frustration we've heard recently from RNIB members about other grocery sites, this is an improvement on others. Check it out and see for yourself. Don't forget to let us know what you think!

User comment

Mel who is totally blind and uses the JAWS screen reader had this to say:

I particularly like the Sainsbury's Groceries website. I think it's well laid out and particularly like the fact that each product title is a heading which makes it very quick to look down search results or aisles. It has a lot of information on the site without making it cluttered. If you click on an item for more information, it opens up in a new window which doesn't clutter or confuse the page which you are shopping on. As an established Sainsbury's customer, I have built up a comprehensive list of products I usually buy which makes shopping very quick and easy. I recently did a basic weekly shop which took me 12 minutes from booking delivery to checking out. That to me is absolute independence and empowerment!

Tips and tricks

• When you select a food section, look for "Offers" in the list for the special offers related to that area e.g. "Salads and Herbs".
• To shop quickly choose the "My Usuals" section to get a list of foods you regularly purchase.
• Use your screen reader's "links list" function to find the "Checkout" link easily.

Got a suggestion?

We want to hear from you, our users. Which apps and websites should we be writing about on the TechKnowMore blog? Is there an app you can no longer live without? What website is at the top of your favourites list? Drop us an email on DigitalAccess@rnib.org.uk to let us know, and your favourite service could be featured in the very near future!