Is your online shop accessible? - New EU directive makes accessibility mandatory

If your online shop does not yet meet the basic accessibility requirements, you should start acting now, even if the Directive only applies to online shops launched after that date. This is not just about regulation, it is an opportunity to improve the user experience and grow your customer base.

What will change in 2025?

The new Accessibility Directive will enter into force on 28 June 2025 and aims to ensure that digital services are accessible to all, regardless of their situation.

The accessibility directive applies not only to websites traditionally seen as online shops, but also to websites where consumers can conclude contracts (e.g. electricity contracts). The directive does not apply to micro-enterprises, i.e. companies with a turnover of less than €2 million and fewer than 10 employees.

The directive covers, among other things:

• Online shops and their interfaces
• Mobile apps
• Digital payment
• Electronic customer service channels

In practice, this means, for example, that the online shop must be navigable with a keyboard, images must contain alternative texts, and colour contrasts must be sufficient. The directive is based on the WCAG 2.1 accessibility guidelines, which are already familiar to many public administrations.

Accessibility benefits everyone

It is important to note that accessibility improves the user experience for all users, not just those with special needs. A clear and accessible website benefits everyone - and this often translates into better customer satisfaction and a wider customer base.

Accessibility is often associated with a disability, but it can also be a temporary or situational challenge - such as moving around with one hand, bright sunlight on a mobile screen, reading small text without reading glasses or accessing a website with a poor internet connection. When accessibility is taken into account, the service works smoothly in all these situations.

Why invest in accessibility even before the law requires it?

Many online traders wonder why they should work on accessibility when the directive is still to come into force. There is a rush now, because implementing any changes is a process. But it's all worth the effort, because accessibility also affects the core of the business:

Better search engine visibility
Many accessibility measures, such as clear structures, descriptive texts and a logical hierarchy, also improve accessibility. search engine optimisation. The site you reach is also often easier to find.

Broader customer base
It is estimated that more than one million Finns benefit from accessible online services. This is not just for disabled users - older people, people with temporary disabilities and mobile users also benefit from accessibility (source: accessibility requirements.fi).

Competitive advantage in the market
A responsible online shop stands out. With accessibility in place, you can make it a real competitive advantage.

Where to start?

Accessibility work may sound like a big job, but it's worth breaking it down into parts:

1. Auditing - How good is the accessibility of your online shop now?
2. Design and repair - Technical implementation, content and user interface together for review.
3. Accessibility statement - An official document on the state and evolution of accessibility.

At Digiteam, we help our customers make the right choices, also in the field of accessibility. Accessibility is not an isolated element digital marketing - it's part of customer experience, visibility and growth.

Want to know how accessibility affects your online service? Get in touch - let's make it a competitive advantage before it becomes mandatory.