Accessibility for websites: Advantages and measures for retailers

Accessibility for websites: Advantages and measures for retailers

Accessibility for websites: Advantages and measures for retailers

Accessibility for websites: Advantages and measures for retailers

Accessibility will be mandatory for online stores and service providers from mid-2025. You can find out how to design and test your website for accessibility here.

Accessibility will be mandatory for online stores and service providers from mid-2025. You can find out how to design and test your website for accessibility here.

Ecommerce-tips

May 10, 2024

Table of contents

  1. Overview

  2. What does accessible mean?

  3. Mandatory for websites from 2025

  4. Advantages for customers & stores

  5. Testing accessibility: tools

  6. Checklist for accessible websites

  7. Special features for online stores

Table of contents

  1. Overview

  2. What does accessible mean?

  3. Mandatory for websites from 2025

  4. Advantages for customers & stores

  5. Testing accessibility: tools

  6. Checklist for accessible websites

  7. Special features for online stores

Table of contents

  1. Overview

  2. What does accessible mean?

  3. Mandatory for websites from 2025

  4. Advantages for customers & stores

  5. Testing accessibility: tools

  6. Checklist for accessible websites

  7. Special features for online stores

Table of contents

  1. Overview

  2. What does accessible mean?

  3. Mandatory for websites from 2025

  4. Advantages for customers & stores

  5. Testing accessibility: tools

  6. Checklist for accessible websites

  7. Special features for online stores

Overview: Accessibility for websites

  • Accessibility is mandatory for online shops from 2025

  • Make your website accessible now and secure a competitive advantage

  • Test your own website for accessibility with tools

  • Keep an eye on the most important key points with our checklist

  • Via Mollie: Design an accessible checkout and increase conversion

  • Accessibility is mandatory for online shops from 2025

  • Make your website accessible now and secure a competitive advantage

  • Test your own website for accessibility with tools

  • Keep an eye on the most important key points with our checklist

  • Via Mollie: Design an accessible checkout and increase conversion

  • Accessibility is mandatory for online shops from 2025

  • Make your website accessible now and secure a competitive advantage

  • Test your own website for accessibility with tools

  • Keep an eye on the most important key points with our checklist

  • Via Mollie: Design an accessible checkout and increase conversion

  • Accessibility is mandatory for online shops from 2025

  • Make your website accessible now and secure a competitive advantage

  • Test your own website for accessibility with tools

  • Keep an eye on the most important key points with our checklist

  • Via Mollie: Design an accessible checkout and increase conversion

What does website accessibility mean?

Website accessibility refers to a website design that can also be perceived and used by people with physical and mental impairments. The website is also robust, i.e. it can be used with many different devices and is easy to understand.

These four principles - perceptibility, usability, comprehensibility and robustness - form the basis of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), which are considered the international standard for accessible websites.

Conversely, this means that the accessibility of websites is only guaranteed if all four points are met. Otherwise, the website may not be usable for users with disabilities and would therefore not be accessible.

The Barrier-free Information Technology Ordinance 2.0 (BITV 2.0) has been in force since 2019. It regulates the requirements for accessible websites of federal public bodies.


Website accessibility refers to a website design that can also be perceived and used by people with physical and mental impairments. The website is also robust, i.e. it can be used with many different devices and is easy to understand.

These four principles - perceptibility, usability, comprehensibility and robustness - form the basis of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), which are considered the international standard for accessible websites.

Conversely, this means that the accessibility of websites is only guaranteed if all four points are met. Otherwise, the website may not be usable for users with disabilities and would therefore not be accessible.

The Barrier-free Information Technology Ordinance 2.0 (BITV 2.0) has been in force since 2019. It regulates the requirements for accessible websites of federal public bodies.


Website accessibility refers to a website design that can also be perceived and used by people with physical and mental impairments. The website is also robust, i.e. it can be used with many different devices and is easy to understand.

These four principles - perceptibility, usability, comprehensibility and robustness - form the basis of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), which are considered the international standard for accessible websites.

Conversely, this means that the accessibility of websites is only guaranteed if all four points are met. Otherwise, the website may not be usable for users with disabilities and would therefore not be accessible.

The Barrier-free Information Technology Ordinance 2.0 (BITV 2.0) has been in force since 2019. It regulates the requirements for accessible websites of federal public bodies.


Website accessibility refers to a website design that can also be perceived and used by people with physical and mental impairments. The website is also robust, i.e. it can be used with many different devices and is easy to understand.

These four principles - perceptibility, usability, comprehensibility and robustness - form the basis of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), which are considered the international standard for accessible websites.

Conversely, this means that the accessibility of websites is only guaranteed if all four points are met. Otherwise, the website may not be usable for users with disabilities and would therefore not be accessible.

The Barrier-free Information Technology Ordinance 2.0 (BITV 2.0) has been in force since 2019. It regulates the requirements for accessible websites of federal public bodies.


Mandatory from 2025: law on accessibility will soon come into force

From June 28, 2025, website accessibility will be mandatory, especially for online stores and service providers. Even the option to make an appointment on the website falls under the European Accessibility Act, which is implemented in Germany in the Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz (BFSG), and must be accessible by the deadline in 2025.

However, the requirements for digital accessibility in 2025 do not fully comply with the strict principles of the WCAG. Nevertheless, it makes sense to consider and implement accessibility in the website design process now - completely independently of the obligation for websites to be accessible in 2025.


From June 28, 2025, website accessibility will be mandatory, especially for online stores and service providers. Even the option to make an appointment on the website falls under the European Accessibility Act, which is implemented in Germany in the Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz (BFSG), and must be accessible by the deadline in 2025.

However, the requirements for digital accessibility in 2025 do not fully comply with the strict principles of the WCAG. Nevertheless, it makes sense to consider and implement accessibility in the website design process now - completely independently of the obligation for websites to be accessible in 2025.


From June 28, 2025, website accessibility will be mandatory, especially for online stores and service providers. Even the option to make an appointment on the website falls under the European Accessibility Act, which is implemented in Germany in the Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz (BFSG), and must be accessible by the deadline in 2025.

However, the requirements for digital accessibility in 2025 do not fully comply with the strict principles of the WCAG. Nevertheless, it makes sense to consider and implement accessibility in the website design process now - completely independently of the obligation for websites to be accessible in 2025.


From June 28, 2025, website accessibility will be mandatory, especially for online stores and service providers. Even the option to make an appointment on the website falls under the European Accessibility Act, which is implemented in Germany in the Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz (BFSG), and must be accessible by the deadline in 2025.

However, the requirements for digital accessibility in 2025 do not fully comply with the strict principles of the WCAG. Nevertheless, it makes sense to consider and implement accessibility in the website design process now - completely independently of the obligation for websites to be accessible in 2025.


Advantages for customers and online shops

A look at the figures from the Federal Statistical Office shows that around 9.4 percent of the total population are considered severely disabled, 97 percent of whom have acquired the disability in the course of their lives, mostly due to illness. From a business perspective, other factors also play a role, as 78% of people with disabilities are aged 55 or over and have a total disposable purchasing power of 720 billion euros - per year.

By making your online store accessible, you can gain an enormous competitive advantage and noticeably increase your sales. Ultimately, you will gain the trust of the affluent 50-plus generation and adapt your website to demographic change through accessibility.

For your customers, website accessibility is a basic prerequisite for being able to use websites and order products. So if people with disabilities can find their way around your online store, they are very likely to become returning customers.


A look at the figures from the Federal Statistical Office shows that around 9.4 percent of the total population are considered severely disabled, 97 percent of whom have acquired the disability in the course of their lives, mostly due to illness. From a business perspective, other factors also play a role, as 78% of people with disabilities are aged 55 or over and have a total disposable purchasing power of 720 billion euros - per year.

By making your online store accessible, you can gain an enormous competitive advantage and noticeably increase your sales. Ultimately, you will gain the trust of the affluent 50-plus generation and adapt your website to demographic change through accessibility.

For your customers, website accessibility is a basic prerequisite for being able to use websites and order products. So if people with disabilities can find their way around your online store, they are very likely to become returning customers.


A look at the figures from the Federal Statistical Office shows that around 9.4 percent of the total population are considered severely disabled, 97 percent of whom have acquired the disability in the course of their lives, mostly due to illness. From a business perspective, other factors also play a role, as 78% of people with disabilities are aged 55 or over and have a total disposable purchasing power of 720 billion euros - per year.

By making your online store accessible, you can gain an enormous competitive advantage and noticeably increase your sales. Ultimately, you will gain the trust of the affluent 50-plus generation and adapt your website to demographic change through accessibility.

For your customers, website accessibility is a basic prerequisite for being able to use websites and order products. So if people with disabilities can find their way around your online store, they are very likely to become returning customers.


A look at the figures from the Federal Statistical Office shows that around 9.4 percent of the total population are considered severely disabled, 97 percent of whom have acquired the disability in the course of their lives, mostly due to illness. From a business perspective, other factors also play a role, as 78% of people with disabilities are aged 55 or over and have a total disposable purchasing power of 720 billion euros - per year.

By making your online store accessible, you can gain an enormous competitive advantage and noticeably increase your sales. Ultimately, you will gain the trust of the affluent 50-plus generation and adapt your website to demographic change through accessibility.

For your customers, website accessibility is a basic prerequisite for being able to use websites and order products. So if people with disabilities can find their way around your online store, they are very likely to become returning customers.


Testing accessibility: The 5 best tools at a glance

  1. Google Lighthouse

Lighthouse is integrated into Google's Chrome browser. You can access the tool via the developer tools and can test the accessibility of your website, among other things. In addition to accessibility, Lighthouse can also test performance and SEO. The result is displayed in points from 0 to 100.

  1. WAVE Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool

WAVE from WebAIM focuses on a visual interpretation of the tested website when testing for accessibility. You can therefore see at a glance where your website is already accessible and where there may be some catching up to do.

  1. IBM Accessibility Checker

As an extension for Chrome and Firefox, you can simply add the IBM Accessibility Checker to your browser and then check the accessibility of websites. The tool works according to WCAG principles and shows you WCAG violations, warnings and recommendations.

  1. BIK BITV / WCAG tests

The BIK symbol stands for "barrier-free information and communication". Two different tests examine your website for accessibility: The BITV test tests on the basis of the German BITV 2.0 and the WCAG test uses the international WCAG guidelines as a basis for assessment. These tests are carried out manually by testers. If all tested pages comply with BITV 2.0 or the WCAG, you will receive the BIK test mark for accessibility on the Internet.

  1. Microsoft Accessibility Insights

Microsoft's Accessibility Insights tool is also widely used for testing the accessibility of websites. It is available both as a browser extension for Chrome and Edge and as a Windows program to test applications for accessibility. The tests are based on the WCAG principles and show you at a glance where you can potentially improve the accessibility of your website.


  1. Google Lighthouse

Lighthouse is integrated into Google's Chrome browser. You can access the tool via the developer tools and can test the accessibility of your website, among other things. In addition to accessibility, Lighthouse can also test performance and SEO. The result is displayed in points from 0 to 100.

  1. WAVE Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool

WAVE from WebAIM focuses on a visual interpretation of the tested website when testing for accessibility. You can therefore see at a glance where your website is already accessible and where there may be some catching up to do.

  1. IBM Accessibility Checker

As an extension for Chrome and Firefox, you can simply add the IBM Accessibility Checker to your browser and then check the accessibility of websites. The tool works according to WCAG principles and shows you WCAG violations, warnings and recommendations.

  1. BIK BITV / WCAG tests

The BIK symbol stands for "barrier-free information and communication". Two different tests examine your website for accessibility: The BITV test tests on the basis of the German BITV 2.0 and the WCAG test uses the international WCAG guidelines as a basis for assessment. These tests are carried out manually by testers. If all tested pages comply with BITV 2.0 or the WCAG, you will receive the BIK test mark for accessibility on the Internet.

  1. Microsoft Accessibility Insights

Microsoft's Accessibility Insights tool is also widely used for testing the accessibility of websites. It is available both as a browser extension for Chrome and Edge and as a Windows program to test applications for accessibility. The tests are based on the WCAG principles and show you at a glance where you can potentially improve the accessibility of your website.


  1. Google Lighthouse

Lighthouse is integrated into Google's Chrome browser. You can access the tool via the developer tools and can test the accessibility of your website, among other things. In addition to accessibility, Lighthouse can also test performance and SEO. The result is displayed in points from 0 to 100.

  1. WAVE Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool

WAVE from WebAIM focuses on a visual interpretation of the tested website when testing for accessibility. You can therefore see at a glance where your website is already accessible and where there may be some catching up to do.

  1. IBM Accessibility Checker

As an extension for Chrome and Firefox, you can simply add the IBM Accessibility Checker to your browser and then check the accessibility of websites. The tool works according to WCAG principles and shows you WCAG violations, warnings and recommendations.

  1. BIK BITV / WCAG tests

The BIK symbol stands for "barrier-free information and communication". Two different tests examine your website for accessibility: The BITV test tests on the basis of the German BITV 2.0 and the WCAG test uses the international WCAG guidelines as a basis for assessment. These tests are carried out manually by testers. If all tested pages comply with BITV 2.0 or the WCAG, you will receive the BIK test mark for accessibility on the Internet.

  1. Microsoft Accessibility Insights

Microsoft's Accessibility Insights tool is also widely used for testing the accessibility of websites. It is available both as a browser extension for Chrome and Edge and as a Windows program to test applications for accessibility. The tests are based on the WCAG principles and show you at a glance where you can potentially improve the accessibility of your website.


  1. Google Lighthouse

Lighthouse is integrated into Google's Chrome browser. You can access the tool via the developer tools and can test the accessibility of your website, among other things. In addition to accessibility, Lighthouse can also test performance and SEO. The result is displayed in points from 0 to 100.

  1. WAVE Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool

WAVE from WebAIM focuses on a visual interpretation of the tested website when testing for accessibility. You can therefore see at a glance where your website is already accessible and where there may be some catching up to do.

  1. IBM Accessibility Checker

As an extension for Chrome and Firefox, you can simply add the IBM Accessibility Checker to your browser and then check the accessibility of websites. The tool works according to WCAG principles and shows you WCAG violations, warnings and recommendations.

  1. BIK BITV / WCAG tests

The BIK symbol stands for "barrier-free information and communication". Two different tests examine your website for accessibility: The BITV test tests on the basis of the German BITV 2.0 and the WCAG test uses the international WCAG guidelines as a basis for assessment. These tests are carried out manually by testers. If all tested pages comply with BITV 2.0 or the WCAG, you will receive the BIK test mark for accessibility on the Internet.

  1. Microsoft Accessibility Insights

Microsoft's Accessibility Insights tool is also widely used for testing the accessibility of websites. It is available both as a browser extension for Chrome and Edge and as a Windows program to test applications for accessibility. The tests are based on the WCAG principles and show you at a glance where you can potentially improve the accessibility of your website.


Checklist for accessible websites according to BITV 2.0

Using the various accessibility tests for your website, you can find out exactly where your online presence may not yet be accessible. The best way to design new content is to use our usability tips and the following checklist with the most important key points for accessible websites.

Checklist

Accessible videos and subtitles

  • Media alternative for videos without sound

  • Audio description for videos with sound

  • Subtitles available, subtitles synchronized

  • Translated audio track for videos in foreign languages with translated subtitles

  • Accessible video player, player suitable for audio description

Accessible HTML websites

  • Embed quotes as blockquote and cite elements

  • HTML tag marks words from foreign languages

  • Mark foreign language words in quotations in blockquote element

  • Use HTML lists for enumerations

  • Use label tag for labeling form fields

  • Create heading levels in the correct order

  • Consistent website navigation

  • Same structure of functions across the entire website

  • Elements are marked in the focus state for keyboard control

Colors and contrasts

  • Contrast ratio of 3:1 for controls and graphic elements

  • Contrast ratio of 7:1 for text to background

  • Highlight links not only in color, but also with symbols or underlining

  • Text hint or contrast ratio of 3:1 for error messages in form fields

Links

  • Use speaking link texts

  • Name the link target (new page, document, ...)

  • Alt text for control elements

Images and graphics

  • Alt texts for images

  • Offer an alternative for image CAPTCHAs

  • No alt texts for decorative graphics such as separators etc.

This checklist for website accessibility only contains the most important points that you should consider as a website operator.

More detailed checklists in accordance with BITV 2.0 can be found on the German government's accessibility portal.


Using the various accessibility tests for your website, you can find out exactly where your online presence may not yet be accessible. The best way to design new content is to use our usability tips and the following checklist with the most important key points for accessible websites.

Checklist

Accessible videos and subtitles

  • Media alternative for videos without sound

  • Audio description for videos with sound

  • Subtitles available, subtitles synchronized

  • Translated audio track for videos in foreign languages with translated subtitles

  • Accessible video player, player suitable for audio description

Accessible HTML websites

  • Embed quotes as blockquote and cite elements

  • HTML tag marks words from foreign languages

  • Mark foreign language words in quotations in blockquote element

  • Use HTML lists for enumerations

  • Use label tag for labeling form fields

  • Create heading levels in the correct order

  • Consistent website navigation

  • Same structure of functions across the entire website

  • Elements are marked in the focus state for keyboard control

Colors and contrasts

  • Contrast ratio of 3:1 for controls and graphic elements

  • Contrast ratio of 7:1 for text to background

  • Highlight links not only in color, but also with symbols or underlining

  • Text hint or contrast ratio of 3:1 for error messages in form fields

Links

  • Use speaking link texts

  • Name the link target (new page, document, ...)

  • Alt text for control elements

Images and graphics

  • Alt texts for images

  • Offer an alternative for image CAPTCHAs

  • No alt texts for decorative graphics such as separators etc.

This checklist for website accessibility only contains the most important points that you should consider as a website operator.

More detailed checklists in accordance with BITV 2.0 can be found on the German government's accessibility portal.


Using the various accessibility tests for your website, you can find out exactly where your online presence may not yet be accessible. The best way to design new content is to use our usability tips and the following checklist with the most important key points for accessible websites.

Checklist

Accessible videos and subtitles

  • Media alternative for videos without sound

  • Audio description for videos with sound

  • Subtitles available, subtitles synchronized

  • Translated audio track for videos in foreign languages with translated subtitles

  • Accessible video player, player suitable for audio description

Accessible HTML websites

  • Embed quotes as blockquote and cite elements

  • HTML tag marks words from foreign languages

  • Mark foreign language words in quotations in blockquote element

  • Use HTML lists for enumerations

  • Use label tag for labeling form fields

  • Create heading levels in the correct order

  • Consistent website navigation

  • Same structure of functions across the entire website

  • Elements are marked in the focus state for keyboard control

Colors and contrasts

  • Contrast ratio of 3:1 for controls and graphic elements

  • Contrast ratio of 7:1 for text to background

  • Highlight links not only in color, but also with symbols or underlining

  • Text hint or contrast ratio of 3:1 for error messages in form fields

Links

  • Use speaking link texts

  • Name the link target (new page, document, ...)

  • Alt text for control elements

Images and graphics

  • Alt texts for images

  • Offer an alternative for image CAPTCHAs

  • No alt texts for decorative graphics such as separators etc.

This checklist for website accessibility only contains the most important points that you should consider as a website operator.

More detailed checklists in accordance with BITV 2.0 can be found on the German government's accessibility portal.


Using the various accessibility tests for your website, you can find out exactly where your online presence may not yet be accessible. The best way to design new content is to use our usability tips and the following checklist with the most important key points for accessible websites.

Checklist

Accessible videos and subtitles

  • Media alternative for videos without sound

  • Audio description for videos with sound

  • Subtitles available, subtitles synchronized

  • Translated audio track for videos in foreign languages with translated subtitles

  • Accessible video player, player suitable for audio description

Accessible HTML websites

  • Embed quotes as blockquote and cite elements

  • HTML tag marks words from foreign languages

  • Mark foreign language words in quotations in blockquote element

  • Use HTML lists for enumerations

  • Use label tag for labeling form fields

  • Create heading levels in the correct order

  • Consistent website navigation

  • Same structure of functions across the entire website

  • Elements are marked in the focus state for keyboard control

Colors and contrasts

  • Contrast ratio of 3:1 for controls and graphic elements

  • Contrast ratio of 7:1 for text to background

  • Highlight links not only in color, but also with symbols or underlining

  • Text hint or contrast ratio of 3:1 for error messages in form fields

Links

  • Use speaking link texts

  • Name the link target (new page, document, ...)

  • Alt text for control elements

Images and graphics

  • Alt texts for images

  • Offer an alternative for image CAPTCHAs

  • No alt texts for decorative graphics such as separators etc.

This checklist for website accessibility only contains the most important points that you should consider as a website operator.

More detailed checklists in accordance with BITV 2.0 can be found on the German government's accessibility portal.


Special features for online shops

Accessibility plays a particularly important role in online stores. Your accessible store gives customers with purchasing power access to your products. In contrast to simple websites, the checkout in an online store must also be accessible. Via Mollie, you not only offer your customers smooth online payments, but also a completely barrier-free checkout for which your shoppers don't even have to leave your store.

You can simply adapt the checkout to your store design and thus easily maintain the necessary contrast ratios. Our components contain all the UI elements you need for an accessible checkout that reduces friction points for all customers and thus increases your conversion.


What is a BITV test?

A BITV test checks whether a website is designed to be accessible on the basis of the Barrier-free Information Technology Ordinance. Such a test can be carried out manually by a qualified person or automatically by test tools.

By when do websites have to be accessible?

Websites must be accessible from June 28, 2025. This applies in particular to online stores and service providers. It therefore makes sense to strive for accessibility on your own website now.

What can happen if my online store is not accessible after the legal deadline?

If your online store is not (or no longer) accessible after the legal deadline and a market surveillance authority determines this or this situation is pointed out by consumers or associations, you will first be asked to make your website accessible. If you do not comply with this request, you may be subject to fines of up to EUR 100,000 in accordance with Section 37 (1) No. 8 BFSG. The authority can also order that your electronic business transactions be suspended until your website has been made accessible.

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Table of contents

Table of contents

MollieGrowthAccessibility for websites: Advantages and measures for retailers
MollieGrowthAccessibility for websites: Advantages and measures for retailers