You Just Installed a Shopify App to Improve Conversions
Then your accessibility audit shows 3 new WCAG violations.
The app broke your compliance.
This happens constantly with Shopify apps.
Most app developers don't prioritize accessibility. They build features that work for sighted mouse users. They forget about keyboard users, screen reader users, and users with low vision. That's why WCAG compliance requires actual code fixes, not just apps.
Then merchants are left with a choice:
- Uninstall the app (lose the feature)
- Keep the app (violate ADA compliance)
This guide shows you exactly WHICH apps break accessibility and WHAT to do about it.
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Get Your Free AuditWhy Shopify Apps Break Accessibility
Shopify app developers build quickly. They prioritize features and speed over compliance. They don't test with the standards required for ADA compliance. They don't test with:
- Keyboard navigation
- Screen readers
- Color contrast checkers
- Accessibility audits
Result: Feature-rich apps that violate WCAG 2.1.
The 12 Most Common Accessibility-Breaking Apps
1. Pop up & Modal Apps
Pop ups and modals are some of the most common violations we find during store audits. They're also the easiest to miss because they look fine to sighted users.
- Trap keyboard focus (can't escape with keyboard)
- Don't announce to screen readers
- Cover important content without alt way to access
Popular apps that break accessibility: Yotpo Pop-ups, Klaviyo Forms (sometimes), Gorgias Messenger, Privy, Sumo
Common violations: WCAG 2.1.2 (No keyboard trap), WCAG 4.1.2 (Name, role, value)
How to fix:
- Check accessibility documentation before installing
- Test with keyboard (can you close the pop-up with Escape?)
- Use alternatives like Conversio or Hulkfilters
2. Review & Rating Apps
- Star ratings not keyboard accessible
- No text labels for ratings (color only)
- Comments section not screen reader friendly
Popular apps: Yotpo Reviews (sometimes), Judge.me (some versions), Trustpilot Widget (older versions), Reviews.io
Common violations: WCAG 1.4.1 (Use of color), WCAG 2.1.1 (Keyboard accessible)
How to fix:
- Use Judge.me (newer versions are more accessible)
- Use Trustpilot (updated their widget for accessibility)
- Add text labels: "★★★★★ 4.5 out of 5 stars"
3. Live Chat & Messaging
- Chat widgets trap keyboard focus
- Messages don't announce to screen readers
- Can't minimize/close with keyboard
Popular apps: Gorgias, Zendesk Chat, Intercom, Olark, Drift
Common violations: WCAG 2.1.1 (Keyboard), WCAG 2.1.2 (No keyboard trap), WCAG 4.1.3 (Status messages)
How to fix:
- Disable live chat (test without it)
- Use alternatives: Drift (accessibility improved), Zendesk (better than most)
- Only show chat to desktop users
4. Countdown Timers & Urgency Apps
- Timers that auto-announce create screen reader chaos
- Flashing countdowns violate seizure prevention
- Not keyboard accessible
Popular apps: Countdown Timer apps, Ever-Cart Countdown, Urgency apps (most)
Common violations: WCAG 2.3.1 (3 flashes or below threshold), WCAG 4.1.3 (Status messages)
How to fix:
- Remove if possible
- Use text-only countdown (no flashing)
- Test: Does it flash more than 3 times per second? If yes, remove it.
5. Product Image Zoom & Gallery Apps
Why they break accessibility: Zoom not keyboard accessible, gallery navigation requires mouse, no text alternatives for zoomed views
Popular apps: Outfy, Judge.me Gallery, PhotoSwipe (some implementations)
Common violations: WCAG 2.1.1 (Keyboard), WCAG 1.1.1 (Non-text content)
How to fix:
- Use Shopify's built-in image zoom
- Test gallery with keyboard (can you navigate?)
- Use Accessibility-tested gallery apps
6. Currency Converter Apps
Why they break accessibility: Dropdown not keyboard accessible, custom select elements without ARIA, no text labels
Popular apps: Currency Converter apps (most), Global Shopping Cart
Common violations: WCAG 2.1.1 (Keyboard), WCAG 1.3.1 (Info and relationships)
How to fix:
- Disable if not critical to business
- Use native select element (automatic keyboard access)
- Test: Can you select currencies with keyboard only?
7. Search & Filter Apps
Why they break accessibility: Filters not keyboard accessible, search results don't announce, navigation unclear
Popular apps: Hulkfilters (some versions), Flex Collections, Algolia Search
Common violations: WCAG 2.1.1 (Keyboard), WCAG 2.4.3 (Focus order)
How to fix:
- Use Shopify's built-in filtering first
- If using third-party: test with keyboard thoroughly
- Ensure focus is visible when navigating filters
8. Payment Apps
- Payment buttons not keyboard accessible
- Errors not announced
- Form fields unclear
Popular apps: Some custom payment processors, Shop Pay variations, some PayPal integrations
Common violations: WCAG 3.3.1 (Error identification), WCAG 2.1.1 (Keyboard)
How to fix:
- Use Shopify's default Shop Pay (most accessible)
- Test payment flow with keyboard only
- Verify errors are announced clearly
9. Newsletter & Email Capture
Why they break accessibility: Forms not labeled properly, submit buttons unclear, pop-ups trap focus
Popular apps: Klaviyo (some forms), Omnisend (some versions), ConvertKit
Common violations: WCAG 1.3.1 (Form labels), WCAG 2.1.2 (No keyboard trap)
How to fix:
- Test forms: are all fields labeled?
- Can you close form with Escape?
- Can you submit with keyboard only?
10. Upsell & Product Recommendations
Why they break accessibility: Buttons not keyboard accessible, recommendations not announced, modal overlays trap focus
Popular apps: Rebuy, Kenshoo, LimeSpot
Common violations: WCAG 2.1.1 (Keyboard), WCAG 2.1.2 (No keyboard trap)
How to fix:
- Test upsell modals with keyboard
- Ensure they can be dismissed with Escape
- Focus should move into modal when opened
11. Size Guides & Product Info Modals
Why they break accessibility: Modal content not keyboard accessible, size guides are images without alt text, close button hard to find
Popular apps: Size Guide apps (most), custom modal builders
Common violations: WCAG 1.1.1 (Alt text for images), WCAG 2.1.2 (No keyboard trap)
How to fix:
- Add alt text to size guide images: "Men's shirt size chart showing S-XXL measurements"
- Ensure modal closes with Escape key
- Close button always visible and reachable
12. Subscription & Loyalty Apps
Why they break accessibility: Loyalty program options not keyboard accessible, tier badges use color only, sign-up process not accessible
Popular apps: ReCharge (some versions), Smile.io (older versions), Boldly subscription apps
Common violations: WCAG 1.4.1 (Color not sole conveyor), WCAG 2.1.1 (Keyboard)
How to fix:
- Use text labels: "Gold tier" not just gold color
- Test sign-up flow with keyboard
- Verify tier indicators have text equivalent
How to Audit Your Current Apps
Step 1: List All Installed Apps
Go to Shopify Admin → Apps and Sales Channels → Apps. List every app you have installed.
Step 2: Test Each for Keyboard Accessibility
- Open app
- Try navigating with keyboard only (no mouse)
- Try to complete any action with keyboard
- Can you close/exit with Escape?
If answer to any is "no" → accessibility issue.
Step 3: Run WAVE Extension on Affected Pages
Install WAVE browser extension (webaim.org/wave). Scan pages with app installed. Look for red errors (violations). This is similar to what we do during our professional accessibility audits, except WAVE only catches code issues and not UX problems.
Step 4: Decide: Keep or Remove?
Remove if:
- Breaks critical accessibility
- No alternative exists
- Feature isn't essential
Keep if:
- You test it's actually accessible
- Alternative worse for users
- You're willing to document limitation
Quick Reference: Apps to Avoid or Test Carefully
| App Category | Apps to Test | Alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Pop-ups | Yotpo, Klaviyo, Gorgias | Use minimally, test thoroughly |
| Reviews | Judge.me (older), Trustpilot (old) | Judge.me (updated), Trustpilot (updated) |
| Live Chat | Gorgias, Intercom | Disable chat OR Zendesk |
| Countdown | Most countdown apps | Remove or text-only |
| Image Gallery | PhotoSwipe (old), Outfy | Shopify built-in, accessibility-tested apps |
| Currency | Most converters | Shopify built-in if available |
| Search/Filter | Hulkfilters (test), Flex | Test thoroughly OR Shopify built-in |
| Payments | Custom processors | Shop Pay (default) |
| Newsletter | Klaviyo (test), Omnisend | Test forms for labels |
| Upsell | Rebuy, Kenshoo | Test or remove |
| Size Guides | Generic apps | Test modals for keyboard access |
| Loyalty | ReCharge (test), Smile.io | Use with testing |
Best Practice: Before Installing ANY App
- Is this app WCAG 2.1 compliant?
- Can I use it with keyboard only?
- Does it have proper alt text?
- Does it trap keyboard focus?
- Does it announce changes to screen readers?
If app developer can't answer these: Don't install.
How to Protect Your Store
Going forward:
- Before installing: Check accessibility documentation
- After installing: Test with WAVE extension
- Quarterly: Audit all installed apps
- When updating: Re-test after app updates
Summary
Popular Shopify apps break accessibility constantly. That's why so many stores need native code fixes after installing multiple apps.
Before installing ANY app, ask:
- Can I use it with keyboard?
- Is it WCAG compliant?
- Does it trap focus?
Test every app with WAVE extension. Remove apps that violate WCAG. Your store will be more accessible AND convert better.
Not sure where to start? Get a free accessibility audit to see exactly which apps are causing issues.
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