Shopping sites can be tricky, because they can contain information on a lot of products and often rely on graphics to show what things look like.
Last month's Website of the Month, Sainsbury's Groceries, showed one way this kind of information could be arranged in a way that is accessible to screen reader users. This month we received a thumbs-up for another shopping website, this time for Harrods.
Why is Harrods a featured website?
The basics are covered- the site has one heading level one on each page, and heading level two's for the various items. So, if I've chosen to look at jackets, the word Jacket is the heading level one and the individual jackets are each a heading level 2. It's therefore quite easy to find an individual item.
The information for each item is well thought out, with a good short description and then delivery costs and a telephone number for further help. Each item has an image which will zoom in if the mouse is moved over it, which may be very handy if you have some sight.
Correctly labelled elements - like the button to add the item you're looking at to your shopping bag - are crucial, but it's surprising how many sites make it difficult or impossible to actually let you spend your money with them. Harrods don't fall into that trap - if you find something you like, it's then too easy to buy it!
There are some problems: the plus and minus links to change the quantity of an item you want to buy are unlabelled. It's an annoying niggle - especially when the rest of the site works so well - but not insurmountable.
User comment
BH, a screen reader user, has this to say about the Harrods site:
It is very user friendly and has great accessibility, including good use of headings and correctly labelled elements. Each page is logically laid out and not too busy or big.
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!