TestParty vs UserWay: WCAG Compliance Tools for Shopify

Shopify merchants seeking accessibility compliance encounter multiple solution types. UserWay, a popular accessibility widget, appears frequently in Shopify app stores and marketing. TestParty offers a fundamentally different approach focused on source code remediation.

This comparison examines how these platforms differ, specifically in the context of Shopify e-commerce, where accessibility directly impacts customer experience and legal exposure.

Understanding the Two Approaches

UserWay Overview

UserWay provides an accessibility widget that:

• Adds a visible accessibility icon to the site
• Offers user-adjustable settings (font size, contrast, cursor)
• Attempts automated remediation through JavaScript
• Uses AI to generate missing accessibility information

UserWay deploys as a Shopify app or JavaScript snippet, adding functionality on top of the existing site.

TestParty Overview

TestParty provides source code remediation tools:

• Spotlight: Continuous monitoring identifying accessibility issues
• Bouncer: CI/CD integration for development workflows
• PreGame: VS Code extension for real-time feedback

TestParty identifies issues that developers (or merchants, for CMS-level issues) fix in the actual site code or content.

E-commerce Accessibility Requirements

Shopify stores have specific accessibility needs that determine which approach works.

Critical E-commerce Elements

Product images: Product photos need meaningful alt text describing what's shown. Customers who can't see images rely on descriptions to evaluate products.

Variant selectors: Color swatches, size buttons, and other variant selectors need proper labels and keyboard accessibility.

Add to cart: The purchase flow must work for keyboard and screen reader users.

Checkout: Shopify's checkout is partially controlled by Shopify, but theme-controlled elements must be accessible.

Navigation: Mega menus and mobile navigation must be keyboard accessible.

Search and filtering: Product filtering and search must work with assistive technologies.

Which Approach Addresses These?

UserWay capability:

| Element                   | UserWay Capability                           |
|---------------------------|----------------------------------------------|
| Product image alt text    | AI-generated (often inaccurate for products) |
| Variant selector labels   | Limited—depends on existing structure        |
| Keyboard navigation       | Cannot add if not in theme                   |
| Form labels               | May attempt association                      |
| Mobile menu accessibility | Cannot restructure                           |

TestParty capability:

| Element                   | TestParty Capability                              |
|---------------------------|---------------------------------------------------|
| Product image alt text    | Identifies missing; merchant adds via Shopify CMS |
| Variant selector labels   | Identifies issues; theme developer fixes          |
| Keyboard navigation       | Identifies failures; theme developer implements   |
| Form labels               | Identifies missing; developer adds                |
| Mobile menu accessibility | Identifies issues; developer fixes                |

The difference: UserWay attempts surface-level patches; TestParty enables actual fixes.

Product Image Alt Text: A Critical Example

Product images illustrate why the approaches differ dramatically.

The Challenge

A Shopify store has 500 products, each with 3-5 images. That's 1,500-2,500 images needing meaningful descriptions.

Example product: A navy blue wool peacoat

UserWay's Approach

AI analyzes the image and generates alt text automatically. Typical AI-generated result:

Or worse:

AI cannot understand:

• Specific product features (brass buttons, double-breasted)
• Material (wool, cashmere, synthetic)
• Style details (knee-length, fitted)
• Color nuances (navy vs. royal blue)
• What makes this product unique

TestParty's Approach

1. Spotlight identifies product images with missing or poor alt text
2. Merchant logs into Shopify admin
3. For each product, merchant adds alt text: "Navy blue wool peacoat with brass buttons, double-breasted, knee-length"
4. Alt text is saved in Shopify product data
5. Change is permanent and part of product content

Impact on Customers

Screen reader user shopping for a winter coat:

With UserWay: "Image of clothing item" tells them nothing. They cannot shop independently.

With proper alt text: "Navy blue wool peacoat with brass buttons, double-breasted, knee-length" tells them exactly what they need to decide if this product interests them.

For e-commerce, this difference determines whether blind customers can shop at all.

Shopify Theme Accessibility

Shopify themes control much of store accessibility. How do these platforms address theme-level issues?

Common Shopify Theme Issues

Based on TestParty analysis of popular Shopify themes:

• Navigation dropdowns not keyboard accessible
• Missing skip links
• Color swatches without text labels
• Focus indicators removed via CSS
• Mobile menus inaccessible
• Cart drawer focus management failures

See our Common WCAG Failures in Shopify Themes for detailed analysis.

UserWay and Theme Issues

UserWay cannot fix theme code. It can:

• Add ARIA attributes to some elements
• Modify some CSS properties
• Add focus outlines via CSS injection

It cannot:

• Add keyboard event handlers
• Restructure navigation logic
• Fix focus management
• Modify Liquid template output
• Change component architecture

Result: Theme-level accessibility issues persist under UserWay.

TestParty and Theme Issues

TestParty identifies theme issues that require developer attention:

1. Monitoring identifies: "Mobile navigation not keyboard accessible"
2. Dashboard provides: Specific element, WCAG criterion, remediation guidance
3. Theme developer: Modifies theme JavaScript to add keyboard handling
4. Change deployed: Navigation works for keyboard users

Result: Theme-level accessibility issues actually get fixed.

Shopify App Conflicts

Shopify stores often use multiple apps. These create integration challenges.

UserWay Conflicts

UserWay JavaScript can conflict with:

• Other JavaScript-heavy apps
• Theme JavaScript functionality
• Payment gateway scripts
• Analytics tools
• Other accessibility widgets

Merchants have reported:

• Checkout issues after UserWay installation
• App functionality breaking
• Page performance degradation
• Style conflicts with theme elements

TestParty Approach

TestParty monitoring (Spotlight) doesn't add JavaScript to the production store. It scans externally like a search engine crawler.

No conflicts possible because TestParty doesn't modify the store's runtime behavior.

Development tools (Bouncer, PreGame) run in development environments, separate from production.

Cost for Shopify Merchants

UserWay Pricing

UserWay offers tiered pricing:

• Free tier (limited features)
• Pro: ~$49/month
• Business: ~$99/month
• Enterprise: Custom pricing

Considerations:

• Monthly subscription continues indefinitely
• Removing UserWay removes the "fixes"
• No actual improvement to store accessibility

TestParty Pricing

TestParty subscription provides monitoring and tools. Additionally, remediation requires:

• Merchant time for CMS changes (alt text, product content)
• Developer time for theme fixes
• One-time investment in accessibility improvements

Considerations:

• Fixes are permanent
• Store becomes genuinely accessible
• Future content just needs to follow established practices
• Development investment has lasting value

Total Cost of Ownership

UserWay over 3 years: Monthly subscription × 36 months + ongoing issues with accessibility + potential legal exposure

TestParty + remediation over 3 years: Subscription + initial remediation investment → genuinely accessible store with decreasing ongoing effort

Legal Protection for Shopify Stores

E-commerce faces significant accessibility lawsuit activity. Retail and e-commerce account for the majority of ADA web accessibility lawsuits.

UserWay and Legal Protection

UserWay-equipped sites have been named in accessibility lawsuits. The presence of an accessibility widget does not prevent legal claims because:

• Widgets don't achieve actual compliance
• Plaintiff attorneys know widget limitations
• Courts have not accepted widgets as compliance evidence

Source Code Remediation and Legal Protection

Shopify stores with documented remediation efforts have stronger positions:

• Evidence of accessibility investment
• Demonstrable improvements over time
• Good faith compliance efforts
• Actual accessibility for real users

Implementation for Shopify

Installing UserWay

1. Install from Shopify App Store or add script to theme
2. Configure widget appearance
3. Deploy (minutes)

Result: Widget visible, automated "fixes" applied, underlying issues remain.

Implementing TestParty

1. Connect Spotlight monitoring to Shopify store
2. Review initial scan findings
3. Prioritize issues by impact
4. Address CMS-level issues (alt text) in Shopify admin
5. Work with theme developer for code-level fixes
6. Monitor for regressions

Result: Store becomes progressively more accessible with permanent improvements.

Shopify-Specific Considerations

Shopify Checkout

Shopify controls checkout for most stores. Neither platform can modify core checkout code.

Recommendation: Use Shopify's accessible checkout features and ensure theme-controlled checkout elements (cart page, account pages) are accessible.

Shopify Apps

Third-party Shopify apps may have their own accessibility issues.

UserWay: Cannot fix app code; may conflict with apps TestParty: Can identify issues in app-rendered content; fixes require app developer or replacement

Theme Selection

The best accessibility investment for Shopify stores is often choosing an accessible theme.

TestParty can help evaluate themes before purchase by scanning demo stores. See our Shopify Accessibility Requirements guide.

Making the Decision

Choose UserWay If:

• Immediate "something visible" is required
• No development resources available
• Understanding that it's not actual compliance
• Budget only allows for low monthly cost
• Accessibility is marketing checkbox rather than real priority

Choose TestParty If:

• Genuine accessibility for customers matters
• Legal protection is important
• Building an actually accessible store is the goal
• Development resources exist (even if limited)
• Long-term improvement is valued over quick fixes

Migration Path

Stores currently using UserWay can transition:

1. Install TestParty monitoring alongside UserWay
2. Review findings—many will be issues UserWay doesn't address
3. Begin addressing CMS-level issues (product alt text, content)
4. Evaluate theme accessibility; plan theme fixes or replacement
5. As improvements accumulate, evaluate UserWay necessity
6. Consider removing UserWay once store is genuinely accessible

Taking Action

Shopify merchants face real accessibility requirements. Customers with disabilities want to shop. Legal exposure is significant. The question is whether to apply a surface-layer patch or invest in actual accessibility.

For Shopify stores serious about serving all customers, source code remediation produces genuine results: accessible product experiences, legally defensible compliance, and stores that work for everyone.

Schedule a TestParty demo and get a 14-day compliance implementation plan.

Related Resources

• Shopify Accessibility Requirements
• Common WCAG Failures in Shopify Themes
• Shopify Plus Accessibility
• Shopify Accessibility Apps