Five-minute Shopify test

Test your Shopify store using only a keyboard

You do not need a scanner to find a basic accessibility problem. Put the mouse aside, open your storefront and follow this shopping journey.

Published July 26, 2026 · 4 minute read

The keys you need

Tab moves forward between interactive elements.
Shift + Tab moves backward.
Enter activates links and many controls.
Space activates buttons, checkboxes and some menus.
Escape should close an open menu, dialog or drawer when appropriate.

Do not worry about memorising technical rules. Ask two questions throughout: can I tell where I am, and can I complete the task?

Try one real journey to the cart

Start on the home page and press Tab. Look for a clear outline or other visible marker.
Open the main navigation without a mouse. Move into and back out of any submenu.
Reach a collection or search page. Operate filters and sorting if they are part of your normal store.
Open a product. Select required options such as size or color.
Reach and activate Add to Cart.
Confirm that the cart change is understandable, then open the cart.
Move backward with Shift + Tab and check that focus does not disappear or jump unpredictably.

What to record

When something fails, save the page address, the control name, the exact keys pressed, what you expected and what happened. A short screen recording is useful. “The site is inaccessible” is hard to repair; “after closing the size menu, focus disappears before Add to Cart” is actionable.

Repeat the journey on both desktop and a narrow browser window. Enlarged text and narrow layouts often reveal controls that overlap, disappear or require sideways scrolling.

What this test cannot tell you

A keyboard pass is useful, but it is not a complete accessibility audit or legal determination. It does not evaluate every screen-reader announcement, image description, form error, color relationship, embedded app or checkout surface.

It is still a strong first test because it shows whether a customer can see and operate the path to your cart.

Want us to test and fix it?

AccessProof maps the theme, writes the exact acceptance list and repairs the agreed barriers on an unpublished Shopify theme. You test the preview before the remaining project fee is invoiced.

Check whether your store fits — free