Studies Show E-Commerce Sites Struggle Most With Digital Accessibility

Despite the internet’s original promise of universal access, recent studies have highlighted the persistent accessibility issues faced by e-commerce websites. In 2024, global e-commerce sales reached an estimated $6 trillion, with the disability community representing a $13 trillion market opportunity. Yet, e-commerce sites remain the most problematic in terms of accessibility. AudioEye’s 2025 Digital Accessibility Index, analyzing 15,000 websites, found an average of 350.1 accessibility issues per e-commerce page—significantly higher than the cross-industry average of 297. These failures include missing image descriptions, unlabeled buttons, and inaccessible input fields, which can severely hinder users with disabilities from completing transactions. Additionally, ArcTouch and Fable’s study on mobile app accessibility examined 50 top iOS and Android apps across various sectors. It revealed that 72% of user journeys encountered accessibility barriers, with only 2 apps rated as ‘Great’ and 9 receiving failing grades. The e-commerce sector received the lowest score—41 out of 100—in the State of Mobile App Accessibility report. These challenges stem from the complexity of e-commerce platforms, which require extensive visual and interactive elements. While the technical burden is greater, so too are the business incentives for improvement. With upcoming regulations like the European Accessibility Act and ongoing enforcement of the Americans with Disabilities Act, brands may soon face legal consequences if they do not address these issues.