Hi, welcome to the blog. This week we're going to look into WCAG and POUR principles while analyzing a favorite website. I don't necessarily have a favorite site so I decided on www.soccer.com. It's an online soccer merchandise store out of North Carolina. It has been around since 1984, used to be called Eurosport. I have used this site many times for soccer equipment for my self, team and now my kids. It continues to evolve and now has become one of the biggest soccer equipment distributors in the United States. So, let's get to it.
First, what is WCAG? What is POUR? WGAC stands for Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. These are guidelines to make the web more accessible to those with disabilities. They were developed by a group called the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). POUR stands for perceivable, operable, understandable and robust. WGAG is based on the four principles of POUR. Lastly, there are these levels of compliance. Level A, AA, AAA. A is the minimum level accessibility. AA is reaching a broader range of accessibility issues. AAA is the highest level of accessibility and is difficult to achieve.
Now back to soccer.com. The homepage layout is modern and inviting. It's not too busy like other online retailers. There are messages scrolling towards the top with coupons and promotions. There's a "Help & Service" button as well up top. The links are pretty straightforward underneath the top bar with a "SHOP", "MY TEAM", "GUIDE", search, log in, favorites and cart links buttons. There's a main side scroller with large pictures of promotions under that. To the bottom right a survey popped up asking for feedback. At the bottom center there are promotions you can click and scroll through.
Scrolling down some you start seeing product for sale. There are specific descriptions for each item. For example: Mizuno Morelia UL Japan FG Firm Ground Soccer Cleat White - White - $279.99 (https://www.soccer.com/shop/details/mizuno-morelia-ul-japan-fg-firm-ground-soccer-cleat-white_A1120389). Even if you're not a soccer fan you get lots of information in the descriptions- the brand, type of cleat, color and cost. I would say the site is perceivable but it does target a certain audience.
The site is very operable. The interface is easy to navigate. Scrolling up and down. The content adjusts to the width of your browser or phone. All the links, text and images have a purpose. As you click on the links to the products it takes you to the product page which has more information and pictures of the product including product specifications, ratings and reviews. This gives customers more information to make the right decision when purchasing equipment.
soccer.com is certainly understandable. All the pictures, descriptions and prices seem to match. I've visited the site many times and links all work. Again, the site is easy to navigate through check out. There is are articles, blogs, product demo and previews sprinkled throughout the site. For example if you've never bought cleats there before there's a buyer's guide. Or if you're looking a certain high end ball there might be a demo video.
And finally, is the site robust? From what I can tell it reaches a wide audience when it comes to accessibility. I would point to the product descriptions that use specific wording for describing the equipment including colors, brands, and type. Scrolling all the way down to the bottom of the site there is an "Accessibility" link that shares an accessibility statement. It also has contact information for questions or concerns. I had never noticed that before. I believe that pushes the level from A closer to a AA making it more accessible to more people.
Something I did notice to be missing is audio accessible descriptions or images or products. That would definitely enhance the experience for those with a visual disability. Also, maybe more image descriptions in addition to product descriptions. Like for cleat images on the product page it would describe as you click the product images: left cleat, right cleat, top view, bottom view, side by side. That would be interesting.
What are your thoughts? Hit the comments. Until next time.
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