Once again, it's that festive time of year when we consider what holiday gifts to buy.
This year's online shopping guide will cover Newegg, the Apple Online Store, Sharper Image, REI (Recreational Equipment Inc.), and GiftCardMall.
Before You Shop
Before you go to any online shopping website, make sure it's legitimate. Most major brick-and-mortar retailers have websites as well. Be careful if an online deal on an unknown website sounds too good to be true.
Website Accessibility
Unfortunately, not all retail websites are fully accessible. Some have minor issues while others are totally inaccessible. However, some online shopping sites have excellent accessibility, where web elements such as links and forms are clearly labeled.
If you find a website with accessibility issues or there's just too much clutter on the page, try using a different site or see if you can determine if the retailer has a sub-site specifically designed for optimal accessibility. For example, Amazon has an accessible site that is uncluttered, with clearly labeled elements.
Computer Skills
Before beginning your online shopping, it's important to know how to navigate using features such as links, forms, and headings. Each screen reader has its own set of navigation keys. In addition, you might need to use mouse hot keys and arrow keys.
All retail websites use forms to search for items, to add an item to your shopping cart, and to pay for your purchase. The search form will contain an edit box for entering a search term. There may be a button or a link to activate the search. Some search forms also contain a combo box to select a category for your search.
Search results may not always be clearly displayed. Some sites provide a combo box to sort results with the results located right below the combo box. Other websites may have results listed beneath a heading that says something like "Search Results." In some cases, the results of a search may be difficult to locate. You may need to arrow down until you locate them or use your screen reader's Find command to search for the words "search" or "results."
Since retail websites change frequently, the websites reviewed in this article may have been modified by the time of publication. For this article I used Windows 7 and Window-Eyes 8.3.
Newegg
The Newegg home page loads with 400 links. The first heading, which is also a link, says "Newegg.com - Computer Parts, Laptops, Electronics, HDTVs, Digital Cameras and More!" Although most links are clearly labeled, there are some broken links.
The home page has headings for various featured deals, new arrivals, items getting the most attention, most wished for items, and top-rated items.
The search form consists of an edit box, a combo box, and a link to activate the search. The combo box has categories such as "electronics," "cell phones," and "accessories." Using Window-Eyes 8.3 I could type my search term into the edit box, press the Tab key, and be on the link. However, to use the combo box, it was necessary to make a choice from the combo box, go back to the edit box and then tab to the search link.
I typed "headphones" into the edit box and chose "electronics" from the combo box. The new page, which could not be navigated by headings, loaded with many links. Since search results are usually listed below the site's search form, I started checking out links that were listed below the form. I found a link that said "All Headphones and Accessories." Directly above this link was text that said, "Headphones and Portable Speakers." Unfortunately, it was just text and not an actual heading.
Under the "All Headphones and Accessories" link were links for different types of headphones including earbuds, over-the-ear, Bluetooth, and noise-canceling. I activated the link for Bluetooth.
The next page showed the results. By using the Window-Eyes Find command, I searched for the word "results." Further down was text that said, "useful links." Under this text were links for sorting results by various categories including best-sellers, free shipping eligibility, and price ranges.
I activated the link for $10 to $25, and when the new page loaded, I again used the Find command to find the results. Arrowing down, I found a link for Wireless Bluetooth Headsets and activated it. The next page showed different brands, and I activated a link for an Arctic Cooling Bluetooth Stereo Headset.
The item's page had many images and a description. There was an edit box for quantity. One way to review the item is to use your screen reader's find form key to find that edit box and then arrow up to read the item's information. There was an "Add to Cart" link that I activated. There were also links to purchase an extended warranty for the headphones.
When the next page loaded, there were edit boxes for existing customers to use and boxes where a new user could create a user name and password. There was also an option to receive e-mail updates from Newegg; the box was unchecked by default. The rest of the registration form was relatively easy to complete.
Getting Help
Newegg has a Knowledge Base to answer questions. The site suggests that if you are having difficulty with your order that you either activate a link for live chat or empty your shopping cart and try again. The live phone number was buried several layers deep. It's: 800-390-1119, but they cannot take orders over the phone.
The Bottom Line
Although Newegg carries a wealth of products, navigating the website can be very frustrating. The site is cluttered and sometimes difficult to get around. This is definitely not a good website for beginners, and more experienced users might want to look on other, more accessible websites such as the accessible version of Amazon.
Sharper Image
This retailer is known for selling interesting and out-of-the-ordinary products. Categories include clothing, electronics and a variety of gadgets for both adults and children.
Although the Sharper Image homepage loads with more than 270 links, it's not cluttered and can easily be navigated with the up and down arrows. There are headings on the page, but they are not located within the item categories. At the very top of the page, there are three links that may sound like gibberish, but they are actually links for "New Arrivals," "Outdoor Products," and "Sale Items."
Further down the page are category links such as "Apparel," "Electronics," and "Gadgets." Some of these categories have sub-links as well. For example, some of the sub-links in the Apparel category include "Clothing," "Umbrellas," and "Watches." I activated the Gadgets link, and when the page loaded, I was presented with check boxes to choose my price range. I located the check boxes with my forms hot key. It was necessary to down arrow after each check box to determine what the box was for. When the next page loaded, additional check boxes were presented to sort by category.
It was easy to find my search results. My screen reader's table hot key brought me to the search results table, and I could scroll through the various items with my headings hot key. Each result clearly stated the item's name and price, and included a link labeled "See More."
The other way to find an item is to use Sharper Image's search form, which consists of an edit box and "search" button. I typed "headphones" in the edit box and activated the search button. The page formatting was the same as when I searched for Gadgets. This made page navigation easier than reading the information with arrow keys.
I decided on a pair of wireless ear buds and activated the corresponding link. I found the product information with the headings hot key. The information was clearly presented without clutter. There was an "Add to Cart" button. When the next page loaded I found my item with the headings hot key. There was a check box to include a gift bag. This button was unchecked by default.
Sharper Image has the user choose a shipping method early in the checkout process. The shipping table can be found with the table hot key, and the shipping method is chosen with radio buttons. There are buttons to checkout or continue shopping. There's also a button to save the item. The form controls in the checkout form are clearly labeled and easy to navigate
Getting Help
Customer Service can be reached at 877-714-7444 or by e-mail.
There is also extensive online help. Activate the "Contact Us" link to get help.
The Bottom Line
This website is a good example of how to create an accessible site that still has many links. Since screen reader tables, forms, and headings hot keys can be used, it's possible to move quickly through a lot of information. Live customer service is an added benefit. Sharper Image has both expensive and inexpensive merchandise; you might just find what you're looking for at a good price.
The Apple Online Store
This Apple website opens with 63 links and 25 headings. At the time of this writing, a significant amount of the site is devoted to the two new iPhones, iOS 7, and iTunes radio. Fortunately, the second link on the page is to the Apple store. Under this are links for Mac, iPod, iPhone, iPad, iTunes, and Support. There is a search form that Window-Eyes reads as a combo box, but it was difficult to use. I found the various links on the pages easier to work with.
Activating the "Store" link brings up a page with links to shop for each of the iOS devices and Macs. Activating a specific product link on the store homepage loads a page about that product. For example, if the iPod link is activated, the next page will give information about the iPod.
The first heading and link on the iPod page was to "Compare Models." This brought up a comparison table. Window-Eyes read each column instead of reading across. Table information included product name, size, price, features and colors. If you find the table too bothersome to navigate, after the table are separate links for each type of iPod.
I activated the link for the iPod Shuffle. When the new page loaded there was a very detailed overview of the shuffle including its size, how to put music on it, how to control it, and what VoiceOver does on the shuffle. The description can easily be read with arrow or heading keys.
There was a link labeled "Tech Specs," which loaded a table that was easy to read. Information included size, file types that the shuffle can play, and weight. After the table, there were headings that contained information such as: system requirements for your computer, what comes in the box, and other accessories for purchase. All the information was clear and easy to navigate.
Under the Tech Specs link was a link that said, "Buy iPod Shuffle Now." This loaded a page to begin the purchase process. The first part of the process presented radio buttons to choose a color and select a "Continue" button. The next page had an edit box for free engraving. The following page presented options to buy various accessories and iTunes gift cards. The rest of the checkout process was straightforward.
Getting Help
The phone number for Apple is 800-692-7753.
Activating the "Contact Us" link brings up additional options including chat and links on various topics.
The Bottom Line
Apple has an accessible website. Web elements are clearly labeled and easy to navigate. Live help is a big plus.
REI (Recreational Equipment Inc.)
REI is known for selling outdoor gear and clothing. REI also sells general merchandise including jackets, gloves, and shoes, so it's worth checking to see what's available.
When the homepage loads, there are 148 links. Window-Eyes also indicated that there were three tabs. Two of the tabs mentioned specific outdoor activities, but the first tab is the one for All Merchandise. There is always a link to the "Deal of the Day" and a link to "See What's Available in the REI Outlet."
The website's search form consists of an edit box and a "Search" button. For this article I typed "North Face Fleece" into the edit box and activated the "Search" button.
With the headings hot key, I quickly found the search results. There were several ways to sort the search results, and it was easy to navigate with the headings hot key. The results were first sorted by gender and age; additional sort criteria included features and size.
I activated the link for "Women's jackets" and when the new page loaded, the easiest way to find the search result was to use the forms hot key to find the sort-by combo box and then arrow down. I could have chosen different sorting criteria by selecting that method from the combo box. Along with the search results, towards the bottom of the page was information on related products and additional ways to sort the search results such as by feature and fabric. I chose a jacket and pressed the Enter key. My result could be navigated with the headings and forms key. There was a description and a link to watch a video. The size and color are selected with a combo box and there was a button to add the item to my cart. When this button was pressed, Window-Eyes did not say anything else. With sighted assistance I learned that the item was added to my cart. There was a link to checkout. The easiest way to find it is to either use the screen reader links list or search for the word "check" with the find command.
The next page had edit boxes for e-mail address and password for people who have REI accounts. There are links to create an account or to register as a guest. I chose the "Guest" link.
The registration form was straightforward. I accidentally entered a wrong digit in the address field, and I noticed that the "Continue" button was disabled. I could not find any text to explain why the button was disabled. Again with sighted assistance I learned that REI couldn't verify the address. Even after I made the correction, I still got the error message.
Getting Help
Telephone help is available at 800-426-4840. There are also links for chat and e-mail assistance.
The Bottom Line
Initially this site worked well, but that changed once it was time to add an item to the cart. If you want to use REI, the best way to go is to review the items on the site and then call REI to ask questions and place your order.
Gift Card Mall.Com
Gift cards have become a popular way of giving gifts. On any gift card website, carefully check the shipping costs and the variety of gift cards available.
When the website loads, there are 52 links. Window-Eyes did not say "Gift Card Mall." However, when I arrowed down, I learned I was indeed on the correct site. The website can be navigated with headings, links, and form controls, but the interface was difficult.
There is a search form consisting of an edit box and "Search" button. Search results can be found with the headings hot key. Under the search form, near the middle of the page, are links for popular retailers including Starbucks, Bed Bath & Beyond, iTunes, Amazon, and Subway. There are also links to "shop by occasion" and a link labeled "Gift Card Index". This link brought up an extensive list of merchants in many categories including Restaurants, Clothing Stores, and Electronics Stores. Activating a link will bring you to a detail page for that particular merchant.
While working with this website I had very mixed results. For each merchant entry there was a description of the business that could be accessed with the headings hot key. Under the description was an option to choose a card design, since usually more than one was available. Since the designs were graphics, I had no way to know what they were.
Under the design choices there was sometimes an edit box to enter an amount and then a button that said "Required." I had no difficulty activating the link for a Starbucks gift card and then locating the description. I didn't do anything with the design, but I entered an amount in the edit box and activated the button. When the next page loaded, with the headings hot key I found the form to add a personal message. I wrote my message and searched for the "Submit" button. I found links to close, but that didn't work. I needed to type Control-Shift-A to get Window-Eyes out of forms mode first; then, tabbing once brought me to the "Submit" button. When the next page loaded, using the headings hot key, I found my cart with the Starbucks gift card in it. However, I had no idea what the card looked like.
My next attempt was with a Visa gift card. I had no difficulty adding the amount. When I activated the "Required" button and the next page loaded, I learned that I had chosen a baby ducky Visa gift card. I tried to select a different type by arrowing to a different graphic before filling in the amount. Unfortunately, I still wound up with the ducky.
My next merchant was Forever 21, a trendy clothing store. Although I could easily read the description, I couldn't find anywhere to enter a gift card amount. With sighted assistance I learned that the "Continue" button was actually a graphic. I called customer service, and the woman who helped me gave me a description of all the available Forever 21 gift cards. When I asked her if she could order the card for me she said they don't have that capability, and I had to put in the amount and order the card myself.
The checkout process is a long one and not all controls and instructions are clearly labeled.
Getting Help
Gift Card Mall can be reached at 877-426-2551. There is also online chat and e-mail.
Although the customer service representative was very nice and gave me a description of all their Forever 21 cards, I would still have had to order it online. That would have been impossible because there wasn't anyway to get items into my cart.
The Bottom Line
Unless you have enough vision to read the screen or you have sighted assistance, forget this website.
Almost all online retailers have a link to buy gift cards on their websites. Many of these retailers also have live help. Many physical stores carry assorted popular gift cards. Try those options as alternatives to this site.
Conclusion
It's unfortunate there are still online retailers who do not consider the needs of people with visual impairments. On the other hand, some merchants do have very good websites.
